Sunday 29 December 2013

Wai O Tapu... Sightseeing...

Even in my incapacitated and immobile state I am
getting out and about... When somebody takes me that is.
My friend Mel who came to stay from Christchurch, took
me out several times. This is the first place we went to but
much to our surprise it isn't wheelchair friendly. It's a top tourist
destination... But not for wheelchairs.

 
 
 
 

This is the Lady Knox Geyser. It erupts every day at
10.15am. There were 100's of people gathered to
watch it.


It gushes 20 meters into the air.
I was intrigued how it happened at such a precise time
but found out it is manipulated by pouring a soap substance
down the geyser outlet which changes the structure of
the layer of cold water that sits over the boiling water
underneath. This allows the hot water to force its way
upwards to erupt with 1000's of litres of hot water
and steam gushing in a spectacular fountain.


We then attempted to walk round the 'red' track on the map
but after a short distance found it impossible and I was
returned... With some pushing help from willing strangers...
Back to the cafe and shop while Mel walked the 3.5km track to
see all the sights. This is the 'Devils Home' where under-
ground acid action has caused the ground to collapse.
(My healing leg does not like the sun, it burns
intensely so needs to be covered up)
 

The rough sides of the crater and yellow/greenish colours are
where cooling volcanic vapours have coloured the walls.


Steam rising from a boiling stream.


The vapours from the hot water contain silica which
causes the white colour of all the surrounding area.


The whole area although interesting and
spectacular  looks desolate.
I only saw a small area but would like
to return when I can walk again.

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Thursday 26 December 2013

The Fish That Didn't Get Away!


This is the fish that I caught in the Little Waihi Estuary before
I fell off the rocks and did such a lot of damage to my leg.
This is the fish that my friend Alby who came to my rescue
said that he would feed to his cat! Oh no... Please freeze it for me.
So he did and it eventually made it's way into my pan.

 
 Got cooked...


Flaked... Spices added then mixed with mashed kumera...

And made into fish cakes.

Browned on both sides...

Dinner, with salad, beetroot and a glass of Pinot Gris.
Delicious... As I finally ate my fish from Little Waihi!

 CURRIED FISH-CAKES - RECIPE

Any white fish cooked & flaked
2 large cloves garlic
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon tumeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
Fresh coriander leaves (or basil) chopped
Mix all together then mix into as much mashed kumera
or potato as you like.
If a little dry add an egg
Roll spoonfuls in flour (I use rice flour)
Cook in a little oil.
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Wednesday 25 December 2013

Merry Christmas...

 
 


Wishing you a happy Christmas day wherever you are
and whatever you are doing...
These pictures portray Christmas in
New Zealand for me... The sun... The sea... Writing in the sand
and the magnificent Pohutukawa tree in flower.
I am not at the beach this year but I will be next year...
When I am mobile and driving again.
This Christmas I am with my friends in Rotorua.
A special Merry Christmas to all my family...
In New Zealand... In Australia... In Taiwan... And
in The Bahamas... All celebrating Christmas in different ways.
To all my family and friends, many thanks for looking
after me, phone calls, emails, txt's, Facebook messages.
To all the people on the Motorhome Forum... Thank you,
I look forward to meeting many of you on the road...
To all my blog readers... Have a wonderful
festive season... Be happy... And let me tell you from
1st hand experience over the last month... There are always
many things to be thankful for.

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Thursday 19 December 2013

Wheels Of Different Kind... One Person Power!


Finally my long  promised wheelchair is functional.
I have been waiting for the elevated leg rest...
And finally it arrived. So now I'm mobile on
wheels again... But only as far and as fast as
I can propel myself! It is very maneuverable. I can turn myself in
small circles, back myself into a corner, park in the sun... But not my leg!
 With my crutches and the wheelchair I think I will develop good arm muscles.


The leg rest... And my healing wounds.

 
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Tuesday 17 December 2013

Lots Of Basil In My Basket... So Making Pesto


My basil has been growing... And growing. While I have
been in hospital friends have been watering it.
I couldn't let it go to waste... So decided to make pesto.
 

My friend Mel who has come to stay... Also at Katheen's
where I am staying... Cut all the stalks and leaves off.
We had a big pile on the bench.
 

I can sit at the bench on my 'perching'
stool and do things for short lengths
of time... Which will get longer.
 

Here is the end result. We couldn't wait to try
it... Mmmm... Delicious. We had it over pasta
with a salad for dinner. So fresh!

RECIPE
2-4 cups basil leaves
Garlic - as much as liked
3/4 cup quality oil - I use organic olive oil
1/4 cup parmesan cheese - or to taste
1/4 cup nuts - I used 1/2 cup pecan's
Whizz leaves, garlic & oil add cheese.
I add nuts last as like the pesto a bit crunchy

 
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Saturday 14 December 2013

Kathleen's Beautiful Garden... And My Bus


Yesterday I showed you me, and where I spend lots of time
sitting on the patio... This is what I enjoy looking at...
My bus which is so tantalisingly close. 


The beautiful roses and lavenders and trees and green, green lawn.

And the eventual path to freedom!
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Friday 13 December 2013

The Bird Has Flown...


From here...

To here... What a lovely change.


 
And the beautiful garden I am enjoying sitting  in.

I am now at my friend Kathleen's home in Rotorua. She was very caring
and invited me here to spend several weeks recuperating and healing
until I can walk again and drive my bus. I am very blessed.

My life has been very busy... Flying the hospital nest and settling into
a house. I have showering help every morning which is wonderful
and today have had a visit from the Salvation  Army co-ordinator to
do all the paperwork required for my home help, then the District
Nurse... Another opportunity to have a close look at all my
wounds and how they are healing. The are all doing  very
well, all  have individual dressings on them and a
compression stocking over them all... No bandages of any sort,
so I feel I am gradually emerging into freedom again...
Another four weeks of non-weight bearing on my leg though...
But time passes... And I'm getting more agile on my crutches.

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Tuesday 10 December 2013

Leaving Hospital


Tomorrow I am leaving  hospital. I have been
here two weeks and now definitely have cabin fever.
I am so looking forward to being outside and in
the sun and on the grass again.
My leg has healed considerably although can't
weight bear for another month. The hospital
has been wonderful, the surgeons and nurses
A1. Will need visits from the the district nurse...
All the ACC help is in place... Equipment
including a self propelled wheel chair so people
can take me out and I can take myself outside
when I don't feel like crutches... And personal
help, transport to hospital and physio appointments.
I have been practicing on my crutches, up and down
steps today. I'm alright going down but a bit more
practice needed going up. I have new exercises for
my leg to strengthen the muscles... So it's all good.
My bus, crutches and I are going to stay with a friend
in Rotorua... The bus parked on the wide berm and
me in the house. So that will be my home for 3-4
months until I can walk and drive again.
I have had wonderful visitors and met new people,
lots of messages and comments through my blog,
the Motor Home Forum and Facebook.
Thank you all.
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Sunday 8 December 2013

Power From Footsteps...


Between snoozing and practicing on my crutches I have been
reading the latest Mindfood magazine that was in the gift parcel
from my children. Lots of interesting things in it but this
really caught my attention... More innovative self sufficiency.
Read and watch the video on this link...
all from walking along corridors on tiles made
from recycled tires... Made by Pavegen.
I wonder if it's possible to do in a bus!

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Saturday 7 December 2013

A Red Letter Day...

Yesterday was the benchmark day I have been waiting for.
My staples and stitches came out... After the surgeon
had inspected everything and was happy with my healing.


 First the staples with this natty little
staple remover...


I  haven't counted how many!
Then the stitches...

Then all new dressings. This stuff is called
DuoDerm... My son who is a sports road cyclist
told me about it... The hospital has it... So now,
so do I! Read the links... It sounds like amazing stuff.


This is the same stuff but with an absorbent dressing.

More DuoDerm and little dressings...
A bandage ony over my shin wound...
The brace adjusted to 90 deg...

What a major difference. My leg is beginning
to emerge again... And I'm planning
my discharge!
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