Auckland (pt 2) March 18 2007

Hello everyone. Well, we have been so remiss in writing that a few of youhave actually emailed us asking what is going on. We didn't know youcared--most of you don't!!! Seriously, we've been living a somewhat mundaneand unnotable existence and admit to our communication failures.So, first things first. Rose's mystery disease. After something like 50blood tests, several other bodily function tests, and two ultrasounds, themedical profession has thrown up their hands. Every test is negative: nocancer, no parasites, no bacterial of viral infections, no hormonalimbalances, etc. Even the Docs here say this is a case for House, one ofour favorite TV shows. So the latest is we're trying a gluten free diet, and, there's no booze oranything else that remotely smacks of "non-healthiness". One guythinks it's probably some autoimmune reaction to a prior infection, maybefrom the tick, that has been long cured with only this reaction remaining. Hethinks it will just have to work itself out but suggested a regimen ofexercise to go with the health food stuff. Seems to be working and Rose istaking long walks every day and seems to be feeling better. This damncondition ebbs and flows, however, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.Oh, we've also spent a fortune on Goji juice which is some miracle Himalayanberry. What the hell? Something seems to be working and it isn't anytreatment from the medical profession!So--needless to say, Rose's weird ailment has somewhat limited ouractivities here in Auckland so there really hasn't been much to write about. On theone hand we'd like to be seeing more, but, on the other, this has been thecoldest summer in 14 years, and I don't think it's hit 80 degrees yet.(bahhhh, there's actually a forecast for snow in the mountains on the SouthIsland for today; how's that for summer). One aspect is nice in that whatwe are saving by not going out much has increased the kitty for the boat.By the time we leave here we will have basically repaired, replaced orupgraded everything on the boat. so it is just like brand new--knock onwood. While Lizzie and Ben were still here, we did hit the amusement park,Rainbow's End", a small but nice theme park as well as the Auckland Zoo.From the boat we observe at various times of the day, sometimes starting atdawn, a myriad of kayakers, lifeboat rowers and Maori War canoes, followed onWednesday and Friday night a fleet of yachts for the races.It's been nice to see Hein and Vic, although they work most of the time, andwe've had a few dinners with them as well as "gold" seats at the movies.That was pretty cool--we're easily amused these days--with big first classairline type seats and free popcorn and drinks during the movie. We had anice Christmas with Rose's friend, David, coming down, and he reciprocated forNew Years at his farm where we met a few more interesting Kiwis. For Rose'sbirthday, on January 25th (a big one) we all went to Cirque DuSoliel-Varakei. A successful outing enjoyed by all, especially Rose who hadnever been. We've also hung out a bit with a couple that are crew on Dennis Tito's boat(the guy who paid the Russians to go up in space) and another highlight was theDevonport Wine Festival which was not only fun, but we found some reallynice cabernet. Other events of note have been Joey quitting smoking andgetting laid off at the marine store as the season winds down. He seems tobe quite taken with a (non-smoking) chick from Wellington and has been downthere a couple of times. We also had an earthquake or two which, of course,we don't feel on the boat.Other than that, and I'll have Rose and Joey look this over for omissions,we're living a pretty normal existence. Rose is getting ready to go visitNathan, Skin and her new granddaughter in Tortola, and we're planning onheading back up north in May sometime. Yea tropics!!!Addendum 2 days later. Even though we have not had the autumnal solsticehere, the weather has turned even worse. Some strange front has gonethrough with 50 plus knot winds and low sixties temps. With a good eyetoday, Rose saw our friends from Australia walking around. They're the oneswe met in Aitutake from Brisbane and, last we knew on their way home to sellthe boat and tour Europe. Well, this life style lends a lot of flexibility(thank God), and the last we saw them, they were leaving Samoa for Fiji.Apparently they fell in love with Fiji and have purchased some water frontproperty and plan to keep the boat there and build a house. They came downto NZ because it was just too hot in Fiji this summer--God, I'm jealous.Addendum 4 days later. Finally got everyone to read this and add their comments. Had a going away soiree for Hein and Vic on Saturday (they're off to Tahiti today) whereby Rose fell off the wagon, so cancel all that BS about her purity in diet. Yesterday was a bit rough for all of us!!Let us know how you are all doing. We'll have good internet until we leave here.Tim, Rose and Joe