Rua in the background is looking in hope, that I may be bringing up some barley. They get a couple of handfuls each a day and devour it in seconds 🙂 Here we are almost half way into the year, with winter about to start in earnest. Luckily it has been a warm end to …

We are having a run of gorgeous days! Yesterday Rich, Pica and I went on a hike. We came upon a new trail off Mt Cutten while out there, so the day extended out much longer than expected, but it was a wonderful find! We arrived home exhausted but happy, and all slept very well …

Autumn ,(Fall), has officially arrived and along with it, the best of the sunrises. Each morning when they are like this, I stand on the deck for a moment to take them in. It has been a super busy few weeks since I last wrote, with all sorts going on. Finding a vet who deals …

Dinner is the only meal of the day we sit around the table. All the kids that spend time here know this is a common event. When Luca was little it was a good chance to really listen to him talk about his day and discuss his thoughts, these days it often means discussions around …

When we came back to NZ and decided to settle here for the rest of Luca’s schooling, there were two educational opportunities I wanted for him, that are quintessentially Kiwi, and another reason to finish his schooling here. The Spirit of Adventure (https://www.spiritofadventure.org.nz/ ) and Outward Bound ( https://www.outwardbound.co.nz/ ). Our parents sent my brother …

This room is definitely the favorite of all. Rich and I find it way, way too comfortable! We get all snuggled in and it is difficult to move on the evenings. There is always a negotiation between us and the kids who gets it. Luckily for the kids we are old fogeys and need sleep, …

On our last day in the Far North, we made it to Cape Reinga! The very tip of New Zealand! Such a spectacular day for it too! Just down from the lighthouse is Tapotupotu Bay. It is at the end of a windy, bumpy gravel road BUT SO WORTH IT! We all dived into the …

After our long drive Sunday, we all agreed a rest day was needed, so magical Monday began. Luca wanted to stay at our place chilling and talking to his friends. He has been really good at going on everything else we had conjured up, and to be fair the accommodation a HIGHLY relaxing place, we …

Here we are in Mangonui and my view as I write this. This is what I remember. Little has changed since I was last here around 30 years ago. A little more development, some definite upgrades and preservation of old buildings, but the essence is the same. It is good for my soul. A couple …

Auckland put on glorious weather for us, we were so lucky! Our accommodation, (above), was perfectly located for all our activities and the manager Ivy, was lovely, highly recommend! We stopped in to visit my parents first, then booked into our room and hit the city viaduct for a walk around the water front and …