Day 120 - Sunset from a Kayak

Sunset from Somewhere - Melbourne

Since I was back in Melbourne, G-Dad took it upon himself to take me out to do some exciting photography. 

We were originally heading out to find some pelicans to take photos of with the sunset.  The only problem was that when we got to where there were 'always at least 1' pelican, there were none.  Luckily (!) G-Dad had his kayaks on his roof so we were able to kayak round to where some rich folks must feed them on their deck.

Here we found about 5 of them hanging out on the river front property, some right up by their sliding door!  I tried to take some photos, but by this time it was getting pretty dark and they were either blurry from the slight rocking of the kayak or the damn birds kept moving! 

We eventually got too close to the 'beach' and they took flight. Man, are they HUGE!! 

Since the sun, still had a little bit of light left in the sky I took a snap of the palm trees.  I'm glad I atleast got something! But this was actually a pretty cool afternoon.

Day 119 - The Frequent Flyer

Flying from Sydney to Melbourne 

So I feel like I've been living out of my suitcase for the last 3-4 weeks, even though I was actually home for about 2 of them!

A photo of the view I had from the plane flying from Sydney to Melbourne.  One task down, one to go.

Day 118 - Motel Tennis Court

Tennis Court - Sydney, Australia

I spent the day creating reports, double and triple checking data, flying to Sydney with my boss, checking into the motel near the office we needed to be at, going over everything a final time before heading out to see what was around.

It was honestly quite a long day. 

The motel we were staying at was quite lovely.  The staff were friendly and while the rooms weren't amazing that was kind of to be expected considering it was actually a Tennis Club (I think!).  I didn't realise this when we booked but I would definitely consider staying there again. 

(and bringing my tennis gear so I could play a game or two!)

Day 117 - Suitcase Cat

'Helping' Pack - Home

During my non-existent holiday, I was asked if I could help further by going back over to Australia to help with the handover of the new agency and also for the upcoming tender. 

Neither the BF or Cas were too happy with that, but they both dutifully helped me pack anyway. Above, you can see Cas inspecting the integrity of my suitcase, or he's trying to sneak himself over with me.  Not entirely sure which one it is!

Day 116 - Fairy Falls

The Water Falls over Greenery - Fairy Falls, Auckland, NZ

We took a drive out to the Waitakere Ranges in Auckland to go on a bit of a walk to Fairy Falls.  I was not expecting the amount of stairs we would have to walk down and then back up!

These falls were beautiful, and well worth the trip! If you are heading out there and don't want to do all the stairs we did, I recommend taking the route from Mountain Road instead of Scenic Dr, but there are some shallow river crossings that way.

Day 115 - Flowers Again

Flowers (and a Vase this time!) - Home, Auckland

I'm doing another little crafty DIY thing with a couple of vases, some blue stone, water, fabric flowers and some floating candles.  

This is all I'd done so far when I decided it would make for a nice photo opportunity. It looks really cute when its finished with the floating candles and filled with water. 

I'm hoping it will look really nice at the end of the bathtub.

I really enjoy all these little crafty things I'm doing at the moment!

Day 114 - Pallet Garden in Action

Seedlings A Grow! - Home, Auckland

My seeds are sprouting!! You have no idea how excited I was about this. While nothing else has started sprouting my little cress seeds have.

Look at you all standing tall and stuff! It took you just under a week to grow, I'm so proud x

(mostly I'm just amazed how well this is working out!)

Day 113 - Flowers on a Ledge

Flowers in the fading light - Auckland

So, I was supposed to be in holiday and due to various stresses going on at work (new agencies, tenders, everyone being away) I have ended up working! Yay... Not that I was really doing anything with my days off (I get my leave back as days in lieu anyway) but still...

Sometimes I am far to nice! 

To make up for my lack of a relaxing week off I decided to run around the house with the bunch of flowers I brought back from Ikea and see what photos I could take with them. It was actually pretty fun and brightened up my afternoon.

This one is my favourite! I hope you like it too x

Day 112 - Castle Tea Parties

Castle Tea Parties - Home

Once again not the best photo in the world, but I spent most of the day tidying up and cleaning that I completely forgot about the photo for the day!

This was the last little bit to tidy up so thought I would take a quick snap. Miss A had been so amazed at the Cardboard Castle we made for her over the weekend that she set up a nice little tea-party with her new friend Mr Panda.

I've tidied it up a bit now and re set the tea party for the next weekend she is over.  

I must say I am glad she likes her castle!

I thought I had taken I photo of the Castle to show you guys (and to add to my 365!) but looking through the photos I still need to upload it doesn't look like I have! I'll add it to my list of ideas for this week x

Day 111 - Easter Show Rides

Teacup Ride - Easter Show

Since we had Miss A on the long Easter weekend, we decided to take her to the Royal Easter Show at the ASB Showgrounds.

We spent the day running around in the Petting Farm after little piglets, going on as many rides as Dad would let her, running some more to find a toilet and talking to Fairies!

The Easter Show is great, especially since entry is free! Although you do have to pay for food, rides etc it is well worth it if you have kids! 

Looking forward to doing this with my own some day x

Day 110 - Puppy Envy

Tasha and Marley - Auckland

Over the long Easter weekend we took Miss A over to my mums house to see how the new puppy was coping.  

After a long couple of weeks Mum has finally managed to get these two to like each other! Well done, Mum!

Throughout the afternoon I got some pretty neat snaps of the two dogs and Miss A playing, but I particularly like this one.  Miss A was clearly taken with Marley the puppy and kept trying to snuggle up to her and carry her around.  Tasha liked to just watch (and I think was secretly glad she was much to big to be carried!) but she got some pretty nice hugs too.

I think Tasha does envy Marley a little bit due to all the attention going her way at the moment, so I made sure to give my old dog lots of love and attention while I was there.  I know they are both in loving hands with my Mum and that they are both getting spoiled rotten!

Day 109 - Punch Bowl

This is how you drink punch! - East Auckland

Not the most flattering of photos, but I was inebriated!  And didn't have my camera, just my phone.

This was a pretty fun night and I miss these guys heaps! 

Congrats to Mr & Mrs G for the 35 Years you have spent together and your amazing kids! Also Happy Birthday to you both you old dogs! (Sorry about the drunken speech!) Thanks for the drinks and goodluck with the next 20+!

(I'm staying just ahead of being a month behind! Hopefully I can knock most of these up tonight!)

Day 108 - Patiently Waiting

Pallet Garden waiting for soil - Home

For several weeks now I've been seeing a lot of cool DIY ideas people are doing with pallets. I've been tempted by a few of them, especially since we get pallets monthly at work!

I finally took the leap and asked the BF to pick up some of the pallets while I was in Australia and now that its finally the long weekend I thought I would give it a shot! I'm going to be making some pallet gardens! I'm sooo excited!!!

What I've done so far is turned the pallet up on its side and lined the three sets of the 'legs' with some weed mat.  This has now created a sort of container for the soil to be put into.  Once I've added the soil I'll pick out some herbs or seeds that I want to grow and see how that goes!

Day 107 - Painting Abound

Paint Brushes - Home

One of the things that I miss doing, quite a lot, is painting.  I haven't really had time or the drive to paint anything in a couple of years now.

I bought a new rail and hanging buckets on my trip to Ikea and I've put everything out to hopefully inspire me to start again.  For now I'll start with painting the outside of the Cardboard castle I've made for Miss A. 

Where do you look when you're trying to inspire yourself or other people?  I could definitely do with some inspiration.

Day 106 - Cat Grasses

Cat Grasses - Home, Auckland, NZ

My cat is (for the moment) a mainly indoor cat. Most of the time when we are outside he spends it chewing on grass, chasing the wind and trying desperately to run around over the fence.

To make his indoor life a little bit more entertaining for him I thought I would bring one of those things inside. So I built him a little grass box (which is actually a bucket...).

It lasted no less then 3 hours inside before I had to put it back outside. His chewing and sniffing quickly turned into pulling and throwing.  Needless to say that the poor grass had a hard time of it!

Do you have any suggestions on keeping an indoor cat happy? We are waiting on permission from the landlord to put in a cat door, he's pretty much an outdoor cat now anyway but I do love new things I can do with him!

Day 105 - Flying Home

Melbourne Airport - Australia

After a long week and a half, I'm finally on my way home. Goodbye Melbourne. It's been fun.

Day 104 - Sunset Flying

Father and Daughter flying a kite at sunset - Melbourne, Australia

The BFs Dad (henceforth known as G-Dad) took me out night scaping and of all the photos I took this is the one that still stands out to me.  Before I even got my lessons from him!!

I love the colours, and the timing was just perfect. Honestly I couldn't be happier with this!

Over the course of the night I learnt so much about my camera and it's settings. Here's another photo which I love that I took after my 'lesson'.

Cityscape - Melbourne, Australia

Thanks again G-Dad for the tips and tricks!

Day 103 - Ikea

Ikea, Springvale - Melbourne, Australia

I can't be in Australia and not make a trip to Ikea! As you guys know, my addiction to all things Ikea is pretty high.  I should really be supervised during visits to this place!

Ikea isn't everyone's cup of tea. In fact many people I talk to don't seem to understand why I love it so much.  

In NZ we don't have anything like Ikea.  The showrooms, the variety, the low prices! It gives me so much inspiration for my own home.

Since I have to bring everything back with me on the plane, I only bought things that were more ornamental/decorative in nature.  I still managed to spend too much money though!!

Now if only they had an Ikea here in NZ!!!

Day 102 - Grass Bunnies

Easter Grass Bunnies - South Melbourne Market, Melbourne, Australia

My colleagues took me on a trip out to the South Melbourne Markets and everywhere inside were these adorable fake grass bunnies.  They were the most tempting thing to buy, but really, it's not spring and easter is only for one weekend.

There were lots of fun things to look at and some gorgeous boys that the girls were perving on. If your ever in the area, check it out!

Day 101 - Tea Sensation

Tea Samples at T2 - Southland Mall, Melbourne, Australia

I'm not sure if I have mentioned my love of tea, or more specifically the tea from T2!

I can't say when exactly I found my love of tea.  It's definitely been in the last couple of years and I think it was to try alternative drinks to the fizzy drinks. 

T2 has become one of my favourite stores.  The huge range of teas, the lovely aromas and not to mention and the accessories.  I highly recommend this store to anyone who loves tea!  I believe it is only in Australia and New Zealand at the moment, so make the trip if your in the area or you can order online here!

Day 100 - Wet Melbourne

A rainy night in Melbourne - Australia

On this night the BF's Dad and GF took me on a train ride into the city to watch some hilarious comedy as part of the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

We also went to the new H&M store, which surprisingly still had a line out the door to get in! The inside was beautiful, and I bought a couple of nice tops.  Then we had dinner at this divine Pizza Place called +39 Pizzeria.  I highly recommend!  

The Comedy was amazing, I wish I knew what their names were but being almost a month ago now its hard to recall them.

The weather was crap, windy, rainy and just plain wet, but apparently that's the joy of being in Melbourne!

Day 99 - Curbside Waiting

Patiently Waiting - Melbourne, Australia

Waiting for my ride to work in the morning. Watching as those overcast clouds roll in and the traffic speeds by on the highway and nothing moves on the service road.

Off to work we go. Heigh Ho! Heigh Ho!

Day 98 - Relaxing by the Pool

Buckingham International Hotel Pool - Melbourne, Australia

After a surprisingly easy day at work, I went for a quick (slow and short) run around the 'block' that the hotel is on.  My running ability has disintegrated quite a lot since I last went for a run!! Something that needs to be worked on in the near future!

As I was all sweaty and hot from my run, I thought it would be quite nice to relax by the pool.  I didn't actually go for a swim (it was much too cold!) but I did dip my feet in and cooled down.

The weather was starting to cloud over as well.  

It was a nice end to my second working day in Melbourne!

Day 97 - Street Lamps

Street Lamps at the Hotel - Melbourne, Australia

So, the holiday is over and the work begins.  

I'm over here to help put together all of the tendering documentation and also some additional training and general helpfulness of being in the office in Melbourne.

It's not overly exciting, but I do get to spend time with my lovely colleagues in Australia as well as the BF's Dad who lives in Melbourne.  

I also quite like the 'hotel' I'm staying in Best Western, Buckingham International. The staff are lovely, location is very handy to work and also to the Southland Shopping Centre.  Plus there is a gym and a swimming pool! While it isn't in the city and so probably isn't an ideal tourist hotel, it is incredibly convenient for me and if you ever need to stay in the area I do recommend it!

Day 96 - Digger Work

Working Hard - Playground, Brisbane, Australia

This was taken a couple of weeks ago while I was in Brisbane visiting my sister.  My lovely niece Miss H working hard "Just like my Dad!".

This was one of the best playgrounds I have ever seen, with lots of different things for all the kids to play on.  There was a bit of arguing happening over who could go on what (thanks to the stubbornness of Miss H, she often won!), but everyone had an absolute blast!

I can't wait to go back and spend some more time with the family over there! Maybe as another tag on to a work trip?!

Things have finally (mostly) calmed down at work, and my nights aren't just filled with wanting to sleep! So I will start working on uploading the remaining photos! 

I've just realised I'm an entire month behind!! How did that happen?

Day 95 - Take my photo!

'Mama' - Brisbane, Australia

Finally, after years of saying I would come visit my sister in Brisbane, I've managed to get here!!

Above is Miss 'Mama', a friend of my niece who was staying the weekend as well.  This gorgeous girl and my equally gorgeous niece (who you will meet in the next post!) spent most of the day drawing chalk figures into the concrete and showing me all their favourite things!

As they were showing me things I thought it would be a good idea to take some photos.  Miss Mama came running over as soon as she saw the camera and said "Take my photo!" then struck this pose! I love it.

There were a few fights (as any small children do!) but overall this day was a lot of fun!

Some of the drawings were pretty awesome too.  Below is one of the coolest chalk bats I have ever seen. My photo doesn't really do it justice. 

I'm going to miss these chicks, and the rest of my Sisters family.  I definitely need to do this trip more often!

It's been a tough couple of weeks.  Works been quite hectic and I've been trying to get too much done I think.  I'll try and get these backdated photos up as soon as I can, but I can't promise much!  This week is going to be just as hectic as the last two!

Day 94 - Flight to Brisbane

Virgin Australia Plane - Auckland Airport, NZ

After a long day at work, packing and wondering through all the duty free, I was finally ready to board the plane. 

I don't know why but I love watching them get the plane ready for the next journey.  I always try and see if I can spot my suitcase being loaded up.  Half the time I don't see it, but it's always there at the other end! :)

I couldn't get a better photo... The window had two layers of glass and the second I couldn't get rid of the glare from the airport lounge behind me.  Maybe next time I'll be able to figure it out haha.

I'm was off to Brisbane for the weekend and then onto Melbourne for a week and a bit of work.  

Which is why I'm behind again! I've been sooo busy, uploading has been at the back of my mind! 

Day 93 - Who's That Puppy?!

Chocolate Labrador Puppies - Waiting for new homes - Matamata, NZ

Today was the day that my mum was picking up her new puppy!!!

You should have seen the excitement in the car when they picked me up from work.  It was pretty intense. 

We stopped at the pet store to pick up more things for the new pups arrival, the excitement increasing as we looked.  Drove the 2 hours to get to the place where they lived and OMG was it the most adorable thing ever!!!  All these sleeping pups were huddled up against the fence waiting to see what was going on.  Of course once they had got bored of all the new faces (they had just been vaccinated and fed) they all cuddled up and fell asleep!

If you want to see what one was ours check it out 

Day 92 - Have Some Bokeh

Lights from the motorway - Auckland, NZ

I thought I would try something different with the motorway on this night, and went with trying to create some bokeh!  I'll have to practise this some more, but I still like the way the lights blur and then turn into circles with this technique.

What would be some good light situations to play with this technique?

Day 91 - Spot My New Friend!

Bunny in the Sun - Auckland, NZ

Taken on my phone on the walk to the train station in the morning.  This little fellow was pretty friendly and I've seen him a couple of times since this was taken as well.

I've started taking some leftover salad with me as well. Just in case I see him in the morning.

I really wish I could take him home!