Lorraine and I offloaded our boat Southern Cross in September to October 2009.
Sad times. We sorted and stashed everything in a container named Greenpeace.
We bought a 1980 bus/campervan conversion and Brain and Heather (Our Mum and
Pop in NZ) helped us fix it up with a new bed cushions, curtains, etc. We followed
them to campgrounds all over the top of the North Island where we enjoyed spectacular
scenery, cockles, tua-tuas (clams), snapper and oysters.
We spent Christmas with our friends the McKays on their 2000 acre farm and
trolled for our first ever scallops.
Sadly I got a severe eye infection and lost the sight in my left eye in February
2010. After surgery and treatment sight returned but the last months in New
Zealand, with cold winter approchaing, were not fun. We stopped for 6 weeks
in Samoa on the way back to the US. Lorraine was badly bitten by a dog the first
week and even with antibiotics and the wound got infected and took 3 months
to heal - no swimming for the mermaid.
We returned to San Diego in July 2010 and the ongoing story is visible by
clicking here.
Lorraine taking
a break with all our stuff in our container,
Greenpeace. We
slept in Greenpeace when our
motorhome was
being repaired. It's all still in NZ.
Our bus, Sweet Pea
in one of the many fine campgrounds we
stayed at. New
Zealand has hundreds to chose from.
Another fine
dinner cooking on the barbie. Lots of seafood in NZ if you hunt for it.
Christmas dinner
(fresh lamb and lots more) on the farm with the McKay family.
Don Mckay
and Lorraine shucking fresh scallops - yummy!
Mermaid Lorraine in center. Waterfall near Piha Beach, world famous surf spot.
Our best pals,
the Moore,s just before leaving NZ May, 2010
Lorraine and
our friend Chiaki spent 6 weeks at this great accomodation in Samoa.
Robert Louis Stevenson's house in Apia, Samoa
Sadly Lorraine
was bitten by a viscious dog in Samoa.
Took 3
months to heal. We flew back to the US in July and headed north.
See here
for details.
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