We say figure they say sorting. We say good they say cool and sweet as. We say awesome, Kiwis take it up a notch with “legend!” If you don’t like someone they’re a bugger. Blokes are dudes of the macho type. I say “on your LEEEFT!” a lot to remind myself where to walk, ride my bike, and what lane to be driving in.
After a thorough search, a (quite) lovely house on Lorna Street is now our home. The owner had just remodeled so it’s super fresh and tidy. I like the neighborhood more and more. There are neat smallish houses with well kept lawns and flower beds inside little fences. It’s very 1950s! Around the corner is Lynmouth Park, a huge green field sunk in a bowl and a middle school basketball court is a short walk away. A big plus is that the hospital is 2 stone throws away.
We really liked the house below in Oakura but it was a bit more expensive and a ways out of town. The deck over looked a lush valley, a view of the Oakura river and cows grazing on the hill. Beautiful!
Speaking of expenses, prices seem way high on most everything. Good thing the exchange rate is favorable. Basically an item costing $1 NZ could be bought for 75 cents US. A couple of days ago I cashed in $30 travel money for $40 NZ dollars!
Below are a few photos of the Taranaki Base Hospital where Des performs his radiology magic and charms his fellow staff . As you might expect New Zealand is coming of age in the cost explosion of medical care. Part of his job is reigning in the excess and trying to reduce unnecessary imaging. I’ll let him provide more details on the health care system another time.
Kai has toured 2 high schools and will “enrol” soon. He likes both; the co Ed Spotswood College and New Plymouth Boys High. Either way the new school year starts Feb 5th and he hopes to play basketball when the season arrives. He’ll enter as a Year 11 student which would be similar to a sophomore in the US. High schools are called secondary schools here and most offer Year9- Year 13. Some kids stop after Year 12 and move on to work or trade school for certifications in various fields.
Riding along the coastal walkway is still spectacular and quaint and familiar feeling – except for the cows!
The Federal cafe is great when you’re hungry! 
more later…. we’re in New Zealand!!!
New Zealand Life 
Looks “legend.” I’m glad y’all are getting settled in. I love y’all house. Keep the adventures coming. Miss y’all.
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Plenty of room- come on!
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You found a great house!
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Come stay in it!
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Legend!
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Jennifer –
These posts are so informative and interesting! I am sure Kai will choose the school he would be most comfortable attending. I am rooting for him all the way!
Love to you three,
Mom
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Des reppin’ the Robinson shirt, love it! Glad to see you guys exploring and stoked. Tell the young squire to lean toward the hardest possible option when it comes to school. Bear hugs and high fives from SoCal!
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Hey Nik!
Yes, I’ll tell Kai. I think he’ll come around to realizing he’s gotta jump all the way in!
Got 3 Robinson shirts-it always gets a look!
Hugs back to you and Lee.
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THANK YOU for including us in your adventures – I feel so refreshed reading your descriptions. Notably, I see pastoral scenes with no trash or traffic jams in site, even within the city limits. I fill in the sounds of the ocean waves meeting the beaches. Your home looks absolutely lovely. I am looking forward to hearing about Kai’s school experiences. I would love to know what Des and Kai really felt about the menu offerings at the restaurant – OR were they responding to the incredulous look from the matie on the stool behind them?
All of this in contrast to Austin’s traffic jams on every roadway, deep freezing weather immediately followed by an 80 degree day and a view of withered brown plants, and daily news of Trumpdom events, the latest being a governmental closure in response to defying nationalized racial prejudice politics…
Hope trying to spring eternal…
Love, Glee/Gigi
>
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You’re welcome Glee!
It is so peaceful here- and we are learning that others who have a different skin color are not identified by that. No one is said to be black or Asian or Hispanic. It’s nationality that drives the social group discussion. We are Americans. Others are Kiwis, Fijians, Aussies, Germans, Brits. You can’t even assume who is Maori by appearance.
Kiwis follow US news and honestly do not understand trump or our crazy government. But overall they are super positive about Americans and love telling us where they have been on vacation there!
New Plymouth’s population is 65,000 but it’s well camouflaged in the landscape! Folks must be in the ocean, on a trail, up the mountain or at work because there’s only traffic 5pm-5:30pm!
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this is wonderful – we love the house and are so glad that you guys are together at last. Remember keep LEEFT!!
Dad and carol
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I’m lovin your blog! So glad you’re back online with all the great photos and descriptions, so we can vicariously enjoy the NZ adventure. Now I need to call Des, if I can figure out the time zone thing…
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Thanks Ewell. Des will send his new number. For you, it’s 5 hours earlier here, but the next day !
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