Today is a beautiful, sunny day. The ocean is sparkling and the breeze is light. My usual walk is about a half mile--down the hill with 0cean views north and then around the end of the bluff to views of Campbell’s Bay to the south. This morning there were just a couple of boys surfing in the bay; occasionally, there have been a couple dozen.!
Driving into Oamaru this morning I was reminded of a few other observations. Off the highways, we have encountered many one-lane bridges over rivers and streams. I guess with sparse population, there is no real need to spend money on two-lane bridges. Also, there are carefully maintained, even manicured, 10-15 ft. high hedges everywhere--around houses but also in the middle of fields (wind breaks?) and along roadways. Is this the English influence? Lastly, in town, one fish and chips place also offers squid rings and chips or scallops and chips--we are on the ocean after all!
Here is something to make you feel good: we filled our gas tank last weekend and paid $1.73/liter. That is $6.50/gallon. Of course, that is in NZ dollars. Converting to US that is about $4.90/gallon. Still makes you feel good, right?
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Hi San,
ReplyDeleteThe hedges--that does sound like England.
And yes, I guess we can't complain about gas prices, eh?
Have fun on your getaway this weekend. Almost here.
Barb
Dear Mark and San,
ReplyDeleteTonight I finally had time to sit and read most of your postings! What a delight! I love hearing about all your activities, travels, animal sightings, fun expressions. Keep them coming :-)
Lots of love,
Martha
Hi Mark and Sandra,
ReplyDeletePaula and I are sitting at the Quinault Lodge,where I have arranged a "surprise" birthday outing for Paula's groundhog day birthday. It is grey and drippy but hiking to the "largest tree in the world (OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA)" was fun anyway. Your musing brings back smiles for us: the key gadget to turn on electricity, turning on the car wipers when you want to signal a turn, the accent, the fun new ways of saying things-- most of all the WONDERFUL friendly people. Mark-- I knew you would find the style of medical practice quite a change-- learning to "multitask" as receptionsist, lab tech, nurse, etc for every patient. I'll bet it will grow on you! Now for a word from Paula:
San,(and Mark), your writing is such a delight. There's a flood of warm memories that your discriptions conjure up. So glad that you are having this experience together.
Paula