Another Change!

Bernie starts a new job next Monday as a quarry manager at York Valley for Fulton Hogan. It's permanent and he gets a work truck to use as well. 
We've decided to save hard next year (but we will still go away every weekend in the rig). Then after a year of saving we plan to take a year off and live on the road. We'll have enough in savings to have a long holiday without having to worry about having to find work. Although we definitely will be working when we can find work, but it'll be nice not to feel pressured to do so!

Afternoon at the Lee Valley

Paddy, Oakly, Boo and Bess

The wee mountain goat!

New Garden

Tidying the deck

A lick of paint works wonders! 

Spring

We are loving the Spring weather. 
Longer days.
Warmer days.
Everything springing into life!

We've both got seats on our bikes for the little dogs t have a break when we go on long bike rides. Paddy loves to stretch out and now we can try and tire him out!

Wisteria creeping over everything.

Oh, that's why we always thought this place was such a great place to run the dogs because there weren't lots of other dogs around. Note to self: Read signs!

A Place to Park in Nelson.

The other day we went to Tahuna Motor camp to ask if we could keep the 5th wheeler there during the week. They were reluctant to let us have it there any longer than a couple of weeks. Although, we have an empty section we can park the truck and the rig in, in Richmond, we are mindful that it's quite isolated and we're a tad worried incase someone decides to tag it or take it.
In the end we stumbled across 'The Waimea Country Club' in Richmond. It's perfect! Only $2 a day and it's safe and secure and very easy to get in and out of! We planned to be away most weekends, so it's a very cheap place to store it.

Following The Rig!

We found a website called Marine Traffic that enabled us to track the cargo ship " Siangtan" that was transporting our rig from Los Angeles to N.Z. It took longer than we thought as the ship called into Brisbane and Melbourne on the way! However, it arrived safely in Tauranga and the rig was taken to Nick Eagle who is the agent who imports 5th wheelers. Now, it's time to have the solar panels fitted and for it to get compliance. Bernie drove the truck up to Tauranga last month, to have the hitch attached. So, in about two weeks Bernie will fly back up to collect it and drive it back here... yay!

Tracking the cargo ship as it's traveling to N.Z. with the rig.

The truck and the rig together at last.

Back at Nelson Central School

In July I was lucky enough to get a long term relief teaching job at Nelson Central School teaching year 1 children for term's 3 and 4. The class is a dream. Well behaved kids and all routines firmly in place. It's given me back my confidence in teaching and I truly love this job!

Becs came in to read to the kids one Friday.

Trailer Sold

We decided to sell the new trailer because we felt we'd now have ample storage with The Big Country rig. We advertised it on Trade me and it sold in a month.

Fun in the snow

First time in the snow for the dogs. They loved it. When it was time to leave 'Boo' had to be lifted into the truck cos she was too tired to jump in!

Waiting for our rig to arrive...

Filling in time...while we are waiting! on PhotoPeach

Lastest Interest!

My lastest interest (or obsession), is painting! I'm loving it. Playing with colours and abstract artwork. It's fun. I'm keen to take a course to learn techniques so I can eventually paint some of the photos I've taken.

"Glass Act"

Recently, I've had some time between jobs and I've wondered about setting up a business that we could do while living on the road.

I played around with hand painting wine glasses.

You maybe wondering where this idea came from????
Years ago, I was Christmas shopping, and I was trying to find a present for someone who just seemed to have 'everything'. I went to 'The Great Escape' complex in Richmond and I saw two hand painted wine glasses, along with a bottle of wine in a gift box. But...I've never seen anything like it since.
Also, while living in Nelson and visiting the 'Flea Market', I've seen many crafty businesses. I admire that lifestyle and I've always wanted to try my hand at it.

Which is why I've tried my hand at hand painted wine glasses.

I made a website...and a Face Book page..

http://kmread.wix.com/glass-act-1

It's the little things!

Like the title of this post says, 'It's the little things"... 

We seem to be discovering lots of new things .. just small things and probably obvious to most people.
Like today....we went for a drive in the truck and needed to get some diesel. 
Easy...or so we thought. 
Until we realised we might not fit into some of the service stations!
Problem solved...after a few texts... we were sorted!

"Truck Stop"

The dogs keeping an eye on things!

First ride in the truck for the dogs. No complaints.