Last few weeks in Auckland

So, my last few weeks in aukland...

Anna left (sniff) but we saw her off in style, having a week of going out and eating before she left, visitng all of our favourite establishments that we'd discovered in Auckland during our time. We went to Cafe Cezanne for coffee and cake, the chocolate boutique place in Parnell, out to the Irish pub on the Viaduct for cider and potato wedges and nachos, ice cream, Thai me up, brunch at a lovely organic cafe place in Parnell. It was sad to see her go :(

The next weekend was my half marathon in Huntly. Clare got up and came with me which was lovely since we had to be up at about 6.30 and she didnt get in from work until 2am bless her. anyway, we got to Huntly... there's not much there! But we found where the race was going to start and got there in plenty of time. Anyway, I ran it all the way round which is what I wanted to do. The course was fairly flat for the first 10k, then the hills started! But it wasnt too bad. Clare was my little cheering squad and I kept seeing her at various parts of the course which was nice. After the race, we got picked up by her Auntie Betty and Uncle John who took us back to their house in Hamilton for a nice home cooked meal, wine, beer and a warm bed! I had an electric blanket on my bed which was lovely for my poor aching muscles. I got to see Uncle Johns hobby - wood turning and he'd made loads of amaxing bowls and pots - it was very impressive. The next day Auntie Betty and Uncle John took us out for lunch before we headed back to Auckland. We were supposed to meet Anna for a bit as she'd come back from her holiday in samoa with Perry, but we didn't see her for too long in the end as Gerald, her car, was being tempremental and didnt want to start - Bad Gerald! But after we'd given him a push start out of the drive, he decided he was going to work again, but we didn't go anywhere for coffee or anything as we were scared if we turned the engine off, he wouldnt start again! That evening we went to the Dogs Bollix quiz night on Ponsonby Road. Hostel girls v Hostel boys. We got beat that week unfortunately, but managed to suitably thrash them the next time :)

The rest of my time in Auckland passed fairly normally, I had a little list of things I wanted to do before I left Auckland, like going up one tree hill, Mt Eden etc. In my last week of work, we had a half hour for Birthdays and cakes on the Thursday, and I got given a present from the department which was lovely, I got a trip to kelly Tarltons and to go cage diving with the sharks! I enjoyed my time at CRSTIE, it was a lovely friendly department.

So I had 4 days of freedom before starting off on my bus trip down south. In that time, I went to Kelly Tarltons to do my shark dive which was ace! Got really close to lots of sharks, didnt have an underwater camera though to take pictures unfortunately. Also so some great big stingrays and some penguins there. On the Monday I went to the Auckland museum with Kirsty and watched the Maori cultural performance which was good. Very clever skills with the poi the women have got! On the Tuesday, it was Sex and the City 2 day. Me, Clare, Holly and John from the hostel went to watch it and got gold class seats which recline and have waitress service to bring you food, cocktails and wine! That evening, we all went out for Thai food.

What I am going to miss and I'm sad I never had my camera with me when I was in Auckland was the walk to work every day, when I walked along ponsonby road, I got a lovely view of the city and the sun always rose behind it, I saw some really dramatic sunrises in the mornings. I wish I'd taken my camera with me to work each day!