Day 274

Yesterday was Top Gear Live with Jeremy Clarkson and James May (AKA Captain Slow). Sadly, the Hamster wasn't there because he was off filming a commercial or something. :(

Here are some highlights...

The parking lot:

Lambo in the disabled parking area















Pre-show activities:

A Maserati from the Top Gear Live convoy













Mini













Orange camouflage












Subaru rally car












Drifting













A 1906 something or other from the Top Gear Live convoy - apparently the oldest confirmed GP race car in the world - lives somewhere in the boondocks of NZ


















Going around the track - fast!! Can't believe that thing even runs!!















A parking demonstration


The show:

The stage

















The intro


Car soccer (or should I say football?)













Jeremy Clarkson















James May















The Stig

















The Stig on the Loop of Death


Backstage tour:

Rice













Armored 911 'Gladiator' car (killed by The Stig)

Day 274

Baylys Beach Take III

Parked on the beach













Some kind of sea plant thing













Newton the Navigator

















Eating at the Funky Fish

















Newton scaring people

Kiwi Ingenuity

New Zealand has recently adopted the 'hands-free' law. This means that Kiwis are no longer allowed to talk on their cell phones in the car unless they have a hands-free device.

While walking along Ponsonby Road, I noticed a sign for a genius new hands-free cellphone. See below.

Day 273

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Japan representatives came to visit our office last week.

Group photo:

















Top row (left to right): Elveira, Lynn, Janet, Koba-san (FPH Japan), Yomogida-san (FPH Japan), Sue, Jonti, me
Bottom row (left to right): Nikkie, Arlene

Newton, 38 Weeks Old (Cont.)

Newton likes to sit in my shoulder/head while riding in the car. I'm not sure why, but it's pretty awesome.













Flashing gang signs. (Don't worry- his hoodlum stage has passed.)
























Looking cute, as always.












Sipping on a straw...












...But eyeing a beer.












Success!

Day 273

Here are a few more photos from our awesome trip to Baylys Beach:

Kai Iwi Lake(s) - Newton wasn't allowed here, so it was a quick trip, but we got to take a look at the lakes!! It was really crazy because the water in the lake looked very tropical, but the landscape around it was very forest-y.















The Funky Fish Cafe & Bar - One of two restaurants in Baylys Beach... It had some of the best food I've had in NZ!!















A map of Baylys Beach painted on the wall of the Funky Fish- pretty cool!

Newton, 38 Weeks Old

Last weekend Jon took Newton and me to Baylys Beach in Northland.

Baylys Beach was AWESOME and Newton LOVED it!



Digging made Newton's face very dirty, but it was worth it!













He also wrote his name in the sand- very talented boy!

Newton, 37 Weeks Old

Two weeks ago Newton had a fun play date with his new friends Ruby and Jess (Jazz?)

Andy, a co-worker from FPH, and his two doggies












Ruby, the pug













Posing











Ruby and Jess

Kiwi Signs

Day 258

Time to take a little ride in the time machine to the Goldstein Family vacation back in December/January!! (Back it up, back it up!!)

Here are some tasty tidbits and favorite moments...

Dad, Mom and Newton the Grand-dog












A pretty tree












The luge (not safe- yo!)














The buried village in Rotorua












Stinky thermal pools














The Sheep Show


















Hobbiton












Newton attacking the waves at Piha Beach












Walking along Piha Beach












Piha Beach group photo












On top of (n)One Tree Hill












...It was windy up there!












High tea at Cornwallis Park












Dinner at Paul's place- so tasty!!












Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's super cool employees














Hiking at the Waitakere Ranges