Apr 5/12 9:00pm
I think today was a breakthrough day. It's been a tough week as far as keeping our frustrations in check. We even started talking about the time limit we think we have in us for this searching, searching constantly. We weren't sure quite what we would do if we hit the time limit but to even discuss leaving here meant we were having a hard time.
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| This week has been full of serious contemplating. |
There have been a handful of new rentals come up this week but most are repeats of places we've already viewed. We saw a one bedroom apartment this evening though that we're thinking just might do the trick. People had built it above their garage so they could live there while they built the rest of their house so it's relatively new and it's insulated! Big deal around here. The layout and size are the pieces that we're kind of questioning but I think we'll maybe just make it work. At least the owners aren't wanting us to lock in for a year so that gives us the option to look around after we get our jobs and then see if we want to be in a different area of town. So if you're planning to visit, you might end up on a pull-out couch rather than a separate room to yourself. haha. Who knows though! We do know of a lovely B&B/homestay in town, right near the beach! :)
Yeah that's one good thing about this place is that it's what they call semi-furnished which means there's a fridge and washer as well as a bed and couch and table among a few other bits and pieces. One thing that we were already aware of - but was still impacting the decisions a bit - was that unfurnished places don't even include a fridge or washing machine. (And most places don't have dryers at all - not even just talking rentals.) So even to buy these new we were looking at about $300 per item (but that would be pretty old or in kind of poor shape) for the fridge and washer. Couches we had seen cheaper and of course tables, tvs and dressers were cheaper (well if we got them second hand, they don't have IKEA here.) Anyways, to get in somewhere with these features just makes everything easier. We kenw we could live without a bed and furniture for a good week or two but a fridge is a necessity.
So we thought we'd sleep on it and decide if the space sacrifice outweighs the task of furnishing it and the task of the continued hunt... we will keep you posted. We might even spend our anniversary in a place of our own! Hmm, now that's a novelty. Last year we were overnighting at Theresa's in Perth before road tripping south. Two years before that we flew to Thailand and arrived late at night. But the one in 2010 we spent properly - at a beerfest in Portland!
We've been going running, surfing and applying for jobs this week. Today was the big prep day for the surf festival so we spent most of the day down at the surf club helping with set up. Mostly arranging tables, putting up partitions, moving gear to and from storage and putting up signs. Since each day they will have to make a call as to whether the conditions will be suitable at the beach we've set up, there is a truck full of equipment at the ready in case they have to go offsite. There are two additional surf spots they consider, one is about 10 minutes down the coast and the other is about 45 minutes down the coast. Turns out that Dustin was the only one around with a heavy truck licence so he even got to do some truck driving today! He's a legend. They just needed to moved to another area of the car park but he just hopped in and without stalling at all, got it where it needed to be - it's been years since he's done his training so it's amazing that he managed. (In my opinion, but he just shrugs it off in his modesty.) Myself, you could say I won the competition. Or maybe just took a picture in front of the banner holding a giant cheque proclaiming me to be the winner...
It was great to get out and meet new people though. There was a bloke from San Diego who is traveling around and then everyone else was from New Plymouth. One of the girls who will be surfing for the wildcard spot and some people from the district council. There was job talk too so that could work out well. We also got invited out for beers before the rugby game tomorrow night so that will be fun. Then they don't need us back until Wednesday for the Pro competition. If any of you want to see where we're at you can go to: nzsurffestival.co.nz and watch it live next week. You probably won't see us but you can see the beach we've been hanging around. haha.
With lifted spirits, we head into Easter weekend. Things get pretty quiet as lots of people head out of town and lots of shops close up. So I think we are going to try for a beach day. Maybe some golf if the wind dies down. We tried to go yesterday but for the last 3 days have been seriously windy. Maybe steady 60-70 km and then gusts up around 100km/hr. We haven't seen a drop of rain since we got here on the 26th! It's been stunning and perfectly warm. Apparently April is usually a lovely month as far as weather goes. There's all sorts of surf festival events going over the weekend - the kids and the masters (ie. old folks) as well as some Surf films and a surf photography exhibition. Plus a beach bash on Monday! This weekend kicks off 2 weeks of school holidays so there's events for the kids too. I am hoping to take part in some dune planting that's going on too - they do lots of dune restoration projects around the beaches.
We're hoping that this apartment appeals to us after a good rest and time to think. It's open so we could be in pretty quickly if we wish. It might take a bit to sort out our internet connection, especially with the long weekend and holidays taking place. Another bonus is that the gas and electric would just be included on their house bill so we just pay them a portion - another task that would already be done for us. It's sure sounding like a good idea to take this place eh?
Ok, hope y'all don't eat too much chocolate this weekend! Have fun and hope it's nice and sunny up there for your long weekend. Email or call us if you want to know if we got the place!
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| Until next time.. we'll be enjoying vistas like this. |
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