Welcome Wellington

A few weekends ago Mom and Dad had a ceremony to say one last farewell to Timbit, my pal. I was brought along to Nan and Granddad’s house, who joined us and my cousin Vanessa and my aunt Janet. We spread some of Timbit’s ashes by the catnip in Granddad’s garden and Mom read the poem she wrote the day after Timbit passed away.

Since our return from holidays, Mom and Dad were moping around, except when they visited the kittens on line. Finally they were lucky enough to be the first ones to the store, and I’m proud to say on March 16, 2010 they brought home a new pal for me …. Wellington.

He’s quite young and energetic now. So until he figures out the computer, I’ll probably give him a hand to update his blog. And I’m sure I’ll get to take holidays on his behalf.

Home again

I usually don’t like to come home from holidays. It’s when I used to have to hand back the blog to my good buddy Timbit. But yesterday Mom said I could keep going if I wanted to until Wellington is adopted. I’m not sure what I’ll do yet. It seems so odd not to have Timbit in the house. The usual 4:00 p.m. meows won’t be around today, nor will the 9 or 10 p.m. ones.

On the plus side, instead of being placed back on top of knickknack box, I had the privilege of keeping Mom company while she slept. I know I’m not as big as Timbit and I can’t keep her feet warm, but maybe I can fill part of the void in her heart until Wellington creates a new piece.

The vacation was great. Mom says she’s going to scrub me up in the washing machine to get me all clean. I do still smell that elk’s tongue on my face, and the road rash is still on my knees and feet. There’s even some on my belly. But all in all a memorable trip for a memorable pal.

Timmy II, signing off for now.

Un-bear-able

The morning started off with a sleep in, the first one in a while. Breakfast was in our room, not with the other 50 hikers for the first time in four days. Mom and Dad took their time getting ready and figuring out what they would do with their day.

In the end, we wandered around Queenstown for a while, along the lake, taking photos. I even got to be in some of them as they discovered animal statues in the centre of town. We saw Peter and Kerri from the Milford Track. They waved at me but tried to pass by with their hands covering their faces but Dad noticed.

It’s March

As you turn your Timbit calendar to March, you’ll see this page. The top left photo was taken along the Romantic Road, the one on the right is of Timmy  II at the Glochenspiel in Munich. At the bottom left, Timbit catches up with Timmy II. They swap stories about being locked up in basements (Timbit at Nan and Granddad’s) and sleeping in backpacks while the carrier swooshes down ski hills.

March 2010

An amazing outdoor adventure

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to post. Let’s see, the adventure began when I was sealed inside a ziploc bag and thrown in a dark bag. For a while, I bounced along squished alongside other bags. I wasn’t sure if I would make it given that I didn’t have much air. But just in the nick of time Mom retrieved me from the bag and brought me into the bright sunlight.

Finally, I get out and about

After a long drive to Wanaka, my parents left me in cooped up in the motel for a whole day while they went off exploring. They finally returned, and into Mom’s purse I went. After a short walk, she took me out and I got to sit on the table and hang out with them, watching people and dogs walk by the cafe.

Me and the bevvies in Wanaka

Mom seemed really thirsty. She had four big drinks and started talking like Dad does with his parents. Then she suddenly realized they were late for an appointment, and into the purse I went. It felt like she was running for about 10 minutes. When we finally stopped she was breathing fast and seemed eager to sit down.

Little blue pals and a slobbery kiss

We’re in Oamaru now, known for its penguins and limestone buildings. During the afternoon we walked around the town and visited  a tourist shop where I met a possum up close. He was quite a bit bigger than I am, but I think good old Timbit would have been able to take him on.

We also visited the theatre, which was refurbished and only reopened a year ago. Operas are now held there, and it was quite posh for such a small town.

Pancakes without syrup

Me and Dad at the Pancake Rocks

Yesterday was another long day of driving in the car. Mom and Dad broke it up with a stop at Pancake Rocks. At first I thought I’d be getting to lick their plates of syrup remnants. But the pancakes were really hard and dry, except when big waves splashed up on them.

Then we drove on some really twisted roads up and over mountains. I had to old on tight to the door armrest so I wouldn’t go flying. Dad had to slam on the brakes once, when Mom said she wanted to stop at some waterfalls. The road wasn’t busy, so he backed up and parked beside the other two cars that were on the side of the road.

Mom and Timmy II by the waterfalls on the way to Hanmer Springs

They carried me with them, up and up and up. Is there any other direction in this country. We saw some small waterfalls, but kept going until we reached the really big ones. Then Mom jumped across the water and posed with me for a photo.

Now we’re here at Hanmer Springs. I think they’re going hiking today, then off to the “hot springs” this evening. I don’t think I’ll join them this evening. I don’t have any swimming trunks and am a bit too modest to go in the nude.

I”ll let you know about the scenery in my next post.

From the centre of NZ to a day on the beach

Woo … the sun is sooooo hot here!

I’m at the Centre of NZ, after being bounced around in the bickpick

Mom and I by the Chinese Gardens in Queens Gardens, Nelson, NZ

Dad tries feeding me to the ducks

Mom and I relax on the beach at Rabbit Island

Me and Dad on the beach

Today Mom and Dad took me up to the top of one of the hills on the outskirts of Nelson. There was a big sign that explained it was the geographical centre of New Zealand. The views were pretty good too.

Then we walked around town for a bit, including a stop in the Queen’s Gardens where Dad tried to feed me to the ducks. Apparently they don’t eat bear. I wasn’t scared though. I told myself I was bungy jumping. After that, we visited a few shops, had some lunch, and packed up the beach gear into the car. We drove for about 20 minutes and crossed a bridge to an island. I think they called it Rabbit Island, but I didn’t see any rabbits.

I did see lots and lots of sand. There was so much sand that even though there were a lot of people on the beach we had no problem having our own little spot. Mom set me up in one of her sandals for suntanning. Something about I need to have a tan line so I could show my friends when we get back.

Then she went in to play with the waves, jumping over some and riding others. When she came back, Dad took his turn. Meanwhile, I started to get a bit hot, so I moved to the frisbee and then pulled Mom’s hat over my head to get some shade.

It was a pretty neat day, relaxing and people watching, especially when Mom and Dad decided to use the frisbee. At least they moved me to the towel. And I had a great view of them trying to throw it into the wind.

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s adventures!

Tramping through the forest and along beaches

I’m having a whale of a time on this trip. We’re back in Nelson after three days of tramping in Abel Tasman National Park.

Me with Mom and Dad

Mom tied me to her backpack to bring me along on the tramp. It wasn’t very comfortable at first because she velcroed me in by my neck at first. Then other campers complained so she put me in the side pocket. It was much more comfortable there, and I could look up and down the trail and along the side too.

We visited loads of beaches. I couldn’t believe all the sand, some were soooo big. Timbit would have loved to dig and scratch in some of those, especially if he’d found a crab. The sand at some beaches was soft and powdery, and at others it was quite coarse. In one estuary it was loaded with tiny seashells.

Me and Mom waiting for the boat to pick us up from the beach.

The last day of  hiking wasn’t so good because my view suddenly went all orange. Then I felt all damp. It lasted for about three hours and then magically we were back at a beach and it was sunny. It was fun taking the boat back to the bus too. We sat on top and watched islands and beaches go past.

Mom and Dad went to be early each night of the tramp, which meant I got extra cuddles with them. They even brought me down to the living rooms of the homesteads so that I could meet all the other trampers, who thought I was a pretty special bear.

We’re going to be in Nelson for a few more nights. I’ll let you know what I found out about it.