Thursday, November 11, 2010

off to a good start

Before I conclude my bit on Taranaki, I have to mention the sister peak of Mount Taranaki.  My American friends will not find this as funny as the English, but oh well.  There’s a smaller peak that’s part of the same volcano, and it’s named after the first woman who ever climbed it: Fanny Fanthom (pronounced "phantom").  Not a joke; it was her real name, and a part of the volcano's named Fanny Fanthom as well.


Mt. Taranaki and, just to the right, Fanny Fanthom


my "closet"
The van is finished.  I don’t mean to brag, but it’s pretty amazing.  We’re going to have so much fun in it.  I even managed to fit all my clothes for the summer into a painfully small space.  We left Taranaki last night and travelled south along the coast to Wanganui (Wong-ga-NEW-ee). 

the road we camped on,
lined with honeysuckle





We didn’t have to search long before finding a great camping spot.  The road we ended up camping on is lined with honeysuckle that smells fantastic.  Just ahead of us was black sand dunes covered in nice bushes and flowers, and beyond that was the sea. 

Tom in the "kitchen"


Tom made a really nice dinner last night, the first of many to be prepared on our little Campmaster gas stove.  After a short and cold walk on the beach we ended up going to bed at about 8:30 because it was dark and we don’t have any candles or lights yet, so we didn’t really have many other options. 





When we were eating breakfast this morning a couple of shark fisherman stopped and gave us a few of pieces of Gurnard.  I’ve never had it before, but Tom says it’s great fish.  Between that and the few things we have in the chilly bin (US: cooler, UK: cool box) we’re set for food for the day.

I’ve been having fun learning yet another version of the English language.  Sometimes Kiwis use the words and phrases that the British do (mate, mum, wicked, skint, etc.)  Other times they use American lingo, like “go figure”, dollars are also “bucks”, and clothing words (pants are pants, not knickers; vests are vests, not bodywarmers; tank tops are tank tops, not vests)

Then there are times the Kiwis have their own words for things.  Flip flops are “jandles” (rhymes with sandals).  Rain boots (US) or Wellies (UK) are “gum boots” or “gummies” for short.  Charity shops are called “op shops”.  One of my favourites is another one of their words for a four wheeler or quad bike.  They use both of those terms, but they might also call it a “farm bike”.

After spending a few hours sorting out insurance, AA cover, and finding some sheets for the bed, we’re planning to begin our journey to Napier.  We’ve heard the east side of the island will have fruit to pick, waves to surf, fish to catch and plenty of sunshine.  I’m not sure we’ll make it all the way there today.  We may end up making camp before we get there.  This is partially because we have a fair bit to do today, and also because a comfortable cruising speed for the van is about 80.  Kph.

5 comments:

  1. 80 clicks an hour! I will think of you tomorrow when I am zooming down the highway in my Mazda 3.

    Sounds like you're doing well. November is so bleak here, so enjoy the sunshine! Miss you. xoxox

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  2. LOL at the Phantom Fanny! Impressed with your kitchen and wardrobe too. I spoke to Charles on the phone today as he was at your mum's... he sounds happy.

    Just to let you both know that I did some research for your mum about Billy the Pig's behaviour towards the Pig of Loveliness and thought that it would be comforting for you to know what I found out. Billy isn't "sodomising" the other one and he isn't gay; the mounting is, apparently, perfectly normal (even boar on boar!) and nothing actually happens, it's just to show who's boss. Boar pigs have to keep showing this. Billy dragging his bum on the floor is simply marking his territory. If Billy seriously didn't like the Pig of Loveliness, blood would be spilt and "feathers flying". As this isn't the case, I'm trying to persuade your mum to put them together a little more (g pigs are meant to be social creatures), even if on neutral territory, i.e. the floor!

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  3. Hi Katie from the Brynaert Clan. Love your blog so far. Sarah and Christie did this same thing during their travels. Its a great way to keep all of us informed and a great way for your mom to know you are alive and well!!!

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  4. Hello Children,

    Well, ‘B’ day is Jan 5th when I get it all cut off! Will be getting over jet lag whilst under general anesthetic as I am going straight from Heathrow to The Park to get my ugly foot sorted once and for all.

    Cuddles is his usual self (non stop munching and lazing about) whilst Billy spends his entire life gazing at him in awe and wondermont on his hind legs. They are both fine and played with lots. Jane is coming on Wednesday so there will be dinner invites for the two of them.

    At the University of Wood on Friday, Freddie learnt how to put a hinge on. He also knows what a mortise and tenon thing is. I’m dead impressed, writing a wood jobs list as we speak. Would he like NZ? He’s certainly butch enough now. We’ll be buying that builders outfit before you know it.

    Charles is having a lovely time at Writing University. I’ve never known him so happy and vibrant.

    Well, it’s Sunday and I have a heavy schedule of wine drinking and lolling about to get on with (whilst you deal with ladders and bug shit). Remember, Thomas has studied Greableology (advanced); none of those suckers will ever scare him!

    BFN. xx

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  5. You may refer to her as "mum," but please don't ever call me "dud." Maybe instead of trying to sew like your "mum," you could next time think of it as small rope and a stick and sew like your dad, who's mended his share of camper's clothing. Now you know why they called it "darning" socks. (Or perhaps more accurately, why "darn" is a mild expletive!)

    Your blog is wonderful - well written, entertaining, a nice connection to you and a reminder of my younger day...

    I took an adventure to Beaver Island on May 5, 1979. I was 19. It was snowing when I arrived, I knew hardly anyone, had no job, and arrived with less than ten dollars - not even enough to get back on the ferry! I had camping gear and some food, including potatoes and onions, which would later come back to life when I buried them in the sand. When I was eventually hired to work on John Zanella's farm (with pigs), he said he'd pick me up at 7:00 next morning. I said, "um... can I borrow some money for an alarm clock?"

    I still refer to it as "the summer of my life." Still a favorite memory. Perhaps the best summer I've had to date.

    So enjoy your time and keep sharing. And let me know if you ever apply rope and stick to your damn socks.

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