Living on the boat????

After our South Island trip, Paul and I both ended up back in Whangarei working. Considering the economic climate and the lack of jobs that people complain about, we both managed to get work. Paul was actually approached to come back to work.
So we are having a go at living on the boat and working full time. So far it has been pretty good, we are on pile moorings, in the Town Basin. The Marina is only 3 mins walk away, it takes about 3mins to row to the dinghy dock. The showers at the Marina are pretty good and there are also laundry facilities.
But winter is coming, Whangarei has a tendency to be cold and damp in winter, so we will see how it goes with the gas heater. Unfortunately Paul works long hours, leaving at 6.30 am and getting home at about 6pm. So His will end up leaving the boat in the dark and getting back in the dark.
Apart from that it not much different than when we go away, just not quite as relaxing. But the money is appreciated.

Day 19 & 20: Wellington to Whangarei

We left Wellington early on Sunday 1st April, we intended to go as far as our butts could cope. We had a beautiful ride along the Kapiti coast and then up onto the Desert Road. We had a lunch stop in Taupo by the lake, then onwards to Hamilton. We arrived in Hamilton at about 3.30 with very sore butts. Luckily Daniel was able to get us a room for the night at the motel across the road from His Backpackers (He was fully booked up).

The forecast for the next day was looking pretty gloomy, with rain expected to start in the late morning for Whangarei. But we decided to head off as the weather system was going to stay for about 3-4 days. So we took off at 7.30am and headed home, we made it as far as Orewa before the first shower hit us, after that it was a bit hit and miss. But we made it home for lunch, and we didn't get really wet.

Paul and I had a great time on our trip, it was pretty hard always being on the move etc. So we were quite pleased to be home. It can be very expensive traveling nowadays, but you can still do it on a budget. We averaged about $104 per day for the two of us, that included accommodation, food, petrol and a couple of touristy sightseeing things. The ferry crossing with the bike was $153 on Bluebridge and $165 on Interislander. We cooked most of our own meals in the Backpackers, and we made our own lunches most days. We purchased cups of coffee/tea three times, and let me tell you, that coffee lark at cafes is a RIP OFF. I am glad I am no longer part of the "Cafe culture".

Anyway since we have been at home things have taken a turn, Paul has been offered some work back at His old job, NPM. In fact He started this morning. I on the other had have got a trial day at "Arthurs Emporium" tomorrow, which I am not sure about as I fell over on Saturday and I think I have either bruised my ribs or cracked one. Off to see the Doc today, to see what He says and to get some serious drugs for the pain.

So yes we are back in reality land again for a while. Earning some more freedom chips, and experiencing a winter on the boat.