Celebration!

Two celebrations this month!!!

Number One

Rich became a certified KIWI, yep, he now has his citizenship! We are so happy about this, it has been a long journey. Us all having Canadian and New Zealand passports now, makes life much easier when travelling, (no more dual line ups in airports!!!!!!), and of course the day to day in either country is now much simpler! The tree, a Kowhai, is given to every new Kiwi when getting their citizenship, it holds unofficial status as the tree of New Zealand’s national flower and revered within the Māori culture. It has taken pride of place within our garden 🌳

Number Two

Luca and Lemon also had their first formal. How gorgeous are these humans?!!!!!! 😍 They and their friends have been planning for months. By all accounts “it was awesome”!

Around here we have been super busy. With an unexpected dry, frosty period, we forged ahead with not only the front entrance but the driveway! The driveway has been an issue since we moved in, major potholes and drainage issues. Friends will not drive down if they do not have a 4-wheel drive, as we have had to pull them out too often 😂

We had not done it earlier, as with all the heavy machinery needed for the build and fencing, there was too much damage being done so no point fixing it until after this was completed. However now, with that all done, and with our guy free, (another issue, he is so popular that he is difficult to get), we grabbed the opportunity when it was unexpectedly offered!

Rich did so much digging and pipe laying in preparation!!!!!

The area below leading up to the pony barn a mud pit in the winter, is all sorted now thankfully!!!

Last September we sowed seed into the front paddock, and it worked a treat! With the drive done, Rich now working on the fencing on the left side of the drive so we will now have a second paddock, and will seed that this September with the hope it has the same success.

Everything is packing down well, by summer it will be firm and smooth, such a difference already, we are very grateful indeed!

The length of the drive obvious in the below photo…

Some gorgeous days have allowed for some spectacular photos of where we live, it still takes my breath away, the beauty around us incredible…

Signs of spring have started, with these buds appearing I know it is not far away. It is always a relief, the signs of sunny, warm days ahead, bringing hope. On any farm, winter means mud, for it to be gone brings a simple joy 😊

Between digging, building, fencing and landscaping Rich, (amazing man that he is), still finds time to bake…

Since living here, we have been wanting to climb Mt Puketapu. It is a 45-minute drive from home. I drive by it every week when I go to my clinic in Oamaru and think, will do that soon! Well with the lovely weather in full force we grabbed the moment and did it! Well worth the climb, glorious views!

Because of these guys along the trail, it is a “no dog’s zone”, so Pica had to stay in the car and waited with the promise of a walk when we got back.

So, upon return we drove to Shag Point, (10-minute drive further on). Ironically next month will be 6 years since we picked up Pica and brought her home. It was this beach, where we stopped off for her first run in NZ! Here we are again, and she enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

I love this beach; it is glorious, as I drive by it every week it never ceases to make me feel happy, even on the stormy days it is spectacular!

Pica is in love with the ocean and always has a lot of fun.

Moeraki, with its round boulders in the ocean is just around the corner, it appears one floated this way! 😉

The new fence is so much work for Rich and he, as usual, is creating a masterpiece!

We have opted for a wooden fence, mainly for the aesthetic appeal of it framing the drive and bringing continuity to the overall look of the property.

The below photos are the beginning, photos of the completed look to come…