A Bit of Home Cooking

A few weeks have passed since the last update and fall is in full swing in Dunners. We have recently been treated to quite calm weather, nice sunny days and cool nights. We have been grateful of the sun as it warms the house but daylight is running shorter and nights are seemingly long. The fireplace has been put through it's paces quite a bit recently.

After our Easter travels we have mostly chilled and taken advantage of some local activities and relaxing. Katie has been working in her role at the University for a few weeks and she has been very busy covering for others who have been sick. I also have a bunch of things going on at work and have been working some at night and went in for a few hours on the Saturday last week.

Last weekend we experienced our first Anzac Day (and I thought they were just cookies). Anzac Day is a remembrance for those that served and died in military action for New Zealand and Australia. Anzac stands for Australia, New Zealand Armed Corps. As a result, most stores were closed in the morning, and some all day. This shifted the Farmer's Market to a Saturday afternoon and it was crowded! Last weekend we also celebrated a year of engagement by going out to the local famous seafood restaurant, Fleur's Place. It is about an hour drive north in Moeraki, right on the coast, and came highly recommended. The food was good but didn't live up to the hype, no matter, the setting was awesome on the coast and we were treated to a vibrant sunset.


Ready for Fish


Sunset in Moeraki

Last Tuesday was the first of our community education classes, indoor rock climbing. Unfortunately, I was teaching that night and Katie had to fly (climb) solo. She was excited about what she learned and is keen to continue. I am looking forward to learning and a new challenge.

We both had a busy work week, but Friday we found ourselves at an Organic Beer Festival. It was held at a bar, Sammy's, that was a theater in a former life. All seats were out of the building but there was a stage and the balcony had a dozen or so nasty old couches for viewing or hanging out. It had a fun, albeit dirty vibe. We enjoyed our beer samples and some local music for a couple hours and headed home. Saturday we made our rounds to the market and decided to have the Pinto's over for a fire, appetizers, and desserts. It was great to just hang out with friends and eat some tasty food. Our Sunday was spent checking out a boat which set the world circumnavigation speed record while running only on biodiesel. It was a really strange shape but looked fast and unlike any boat I had ever seen. Check out their story here. Also, if anyone has 1.5 million laying around, it's for sale. We also hit up a exhibit which detailed Tibet's struggle for independence. It was a humanitarian, environmental day.


Fast Boat


Katie on Earthrace

A few more pics