My Poor smashed up Shuttle Bus!

A dreadful thing just happened that could have been much much worse, but it is still a real problem.
A big truck that had been working up the hill behind our home had a brake failure. No one was inside the truck which had its hand brake on, when it suddenly started to roll down the steep hill straight down toward our home, but my Shuttle bus was parked outside alone and unattended just waiting to catch the runaway truck! The truck slammed into the side of the van and gave it a glancing blow across the front before thumping into the neighbours fence where it finally came to a halt. Leaving my shuttle completely un-drivable. This was nobodies fault as both vehicles were empty at the time. But it does mean I am now out of a job! Until it is repaired. Thank God no one was injured.

My Shuttle is a luxury model so comfortable to ride in and also to drive, it has many luxury features, it has been a joy to drive. I have driven it for a year and a half and not put a scratch on it, things can just happen any time. Acts of God can strike at any moment.

Ngakuta Bay and Royal Spoonbill.

Went for a very pleasant afternoon drive around the Marlborough Sounds to Ngakuta Bay. Took some lovely sweet goodies from Picton Bakkeryij, a great Dutch bakery, to sit in the sun and enjoy.

 When we drove into the picnic area I spotted a beautiful Royal Spoonbill feeding in the shallow tidal mudflats,
Quickly I wound down the window and took lots of photos.
These are big birds, that are seldom seen. rather like a Heron but with the spoon shaped bill, used to sift out small crustaceans like wee shrimps from the water.
We probably only saw it at all because it was a quiet day with few people out and  about.

Then we sat and enjoyed out sweet treats and also enjoyed the scenic views all around us. A little black Fantail also flew around us, but vanished when I started my camera!

Mother's day.

Mother's day.
Nyle sent me a most beautiful box of flowers from Australia, for Mother's Day, I was so surprised and pleased.

Wasn't able to go visit my Mother for Mother's day as I have had a nasty heavy cold and couldn't risk her catching it. But I am feeling quite a lot better so went to visit today. Took a photo of the lovely pink flowers Nyle sent to her from Australia that pleased her so very much. I also got Erle to take a photo of Mum and me, for Nyle.

Autumn Sun Rise.

I am not really a morning person, preferring to lie in bed as long as possible, but this morning I had an early shuttle job to the Airport in Blenheim. I got up to this wonderful display of God's handiwork and colour, it was almost worth getting up for. Breath taking.

Specially nice dinner

The boss gave me an extra day off since it has not been very busy this week with the Shuttle, so I decided to cook up something really nice. This is what I decided upon.Turned out really nice after I had thickened the juices to a lovely gravy and its enough for 2 good meals for us. Give it a try, its very easy.

Crock-pot Orange Chicken

Ingredients:
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced about 1/2-inch thick
2 large red or green bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
8 ounces orange juice concentrate
2 cups Mandarin orange segments or fresh orange segments
2 Green onions, chopped
hot cooked rice
Directions:
Put carrots, peppers, garlic, then the chicken, ginger, salt, pepper & frozen orange juice in Crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW 4 to 6 hours. Serve chicken on hot cooked rice on platter. Top with orange segments and green onions. Serve chicken liquid in gravy boat, if desired.
http://www.darlakay.eatlessfeelfull.com/

Picton Escape Restaurant closing down Party.

Picton Escape restaurant  - Picton's most prestigious restaurant - dining is is or rather was a true gourmet experience, sadly Juliana has decided to close this great restaurant to concentrate on the boutique hotel side of the business. Life has become very full for her and she has not been very well, so ofcause this is the best option for her and I wish her well in her choice, but Picton will surely miss this restaurant. When customers in my Shuttle ask where is a good place to dine I tell them Picton Escape; not the cheapest option but the best dining experience.

 We, Erle and I were personally invited to attend the big closing down party by two quite different sources, although I should of been working on a busy Friday night I asked the boss for the night off to attend and I am so glad I did. We had a wonderful time.
The party was attended by most of the big business men of the town and surprisingly most of them knew me slightly as they have travelled in my Shuttle so right from the start we felt welcome, there was never a time we didn't have people around our table chatting and nibbling on the delicious gourmet food that keep coming out from. There was tiny filo chicken and Camembert pies, crayfish fondue, smoked salmon and many different special dips and breads, the treats just kept on coming out to our delight, all washed down with a fantastic sparkling wine. Then Eden, Juliana's Daughter sang a song that is very special to me - mainly for me as I asked her personally to do so, I was rapt.

 Erle enjoyed the evening as well but not as much as I did because he didn't really know many people there. I now am thinking when is the next party!

Happy Easter.

Happy Easter to you all.