Dunedin and beyond…

This came up on my FB feed recently. It resonates so much with me and what we are trying to achieve on a day to day basis. It is so easy to get caught up in the negativity of the current state of the world. We know things are not great, but by having a more balanced approach, it is my hope we can be a part of swinging the pendulum in the other direction…..

We so loved our time in Dunedin, such a wonderful mix of history and amazing natural beauty.

One of our favorite places was Port Chalmers, a charming little fishing village. In Carey Bay you find the Carey Bay Hotel, built from Port Chalmers bluestone and in a picturesque setting with a view to the harbour entrance, it’s been at the heart of the local boat building and fishing community since it opened in 1874 . We were looking at properties in the area and stopped for lunch

We left a couple of days ago and made our way back up the coast, stopping at Moeraki’s mysteriously spherical beach boulders.  Each boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to two metres high.Scientists explain the boulders as calcite concretions formed about 65 million years ago.

We continued up the coast, stopping in Timaru for the laundromat and arrived in our next home just out of Geraldine. This current accommodation is set on a dairy farm. They have converted part of the garage into a room.

Yesterday we drove to Tekapo. We got lucky and it was an incredible day weather wise, perfect to see the amazing scenery and do some hiking! Just the drive there was amazing, not a great pic but those are snowed capped mountains in the distance…

Driving has been going well. Rich has suggested that there should be a large “F” sign for foreign driver (like there is a large “L” sign for a learner driver). I agree ! For the most part I am good but there has been a couple of times in cities where I have merrily driven up the wrong way until Rich quietly points out that I should be on the left, (lucky there has been no other cars coming the other way!!) 🙂

We arrived in Tekapo, how incredible is this place….

The Church of the Good Shepherd is a fully operational church set on the edge of the lake . It is a major tourist draw..

Close to the church is a tribute to the collie dog. Farmers recognizing they could not farm this area without their dogs help

Down in the town they have built a play area with a very cool flying fox (they are a popular playground essential here it seems 🙂 ) Rich and Luca had a blast, Rich such a big kid !

On the way home, we went to the famous Fairlie Bakehouse and had supper. Their meat pies are a Kiwi icon now, so so good!!!!!!

Tomorrow we head to Christchurch, we are there for 9 days, our longest stay in one place for close to 2 months. It has been QUITE the challenge organizing Christmas for Luca, he is with us constantly and so buying anything has required subterfuge on Rich and my behalf, but think we have managed it without him knowing something is up.

We will be in another tiny home for 9 days and Luca was worried that Santa will not know where to put his gift so we brought this the other day…..

When we were in Gisborne we brought this book in an op shop…

This is common phrase in NZ that Rich has never of, and finds the saying so amusing :). Basically it means thrifty living, the Christmas tree purchase would fit nicely into the ethos 🙂

This will be my last post before Christmas. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday period and a very happy 2019. Pura Vida everyone!!!!! xxx