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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 …

Happy New Year Everyone! 2025 here we come 😊 This was taken on Xmas Eve, we were out for a hike in the morning before Luca headed off to Lemon’s. So nice to have an updated family photo, it had been way too long! 🙂 Christmas came and went in a flash. Pica,(below), is staring …

Wow this year has gone fast. Hard to believe a year has passed since we were in Canada for last Xmas! Summer is off to a good start with breakfasts on the deck.. Rich makes a mean English breakfast ! The flowers are from my colleagues at work, they are so beautiful and the fragrance …

This is the view from our kitchen window, at the end you can see a rose beginning to bloom… Now called, Jen’s Rose, it was given to us in her memory when she died. It is Jen’s birthday in a few days, it has reliably burst into flower at this time of the year since …