Body Boarding at Westshore!

Went to the beach at dinnertime this evening for a fish and a body board...came home with no fish, but we had a real giggle trying to master body boarding!

Long walk - Tutira

BBQ Time...................

At the end of the walk...we just all collapsed on floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and Graham got a beer......................

Halfway up table Mountain

Lake Tutira and Black Swans

We decided to go off for a long walk today and Helen and Jon came along. We headed to Lake Tutira which is about 30 minutes drive from here. The lake itself is supposed to be full of trout and looked stunning. There we're lots of people there camping for the weekend at $5.00 a night which is a bargain, considering the amazing views and wildlife that can be seen.

We decided to go for the 4 hour walk (why???????????) which was uphill a lot of the way....after a lot of breaks and drinking water stops we managed to get to the top of table mountain and the views we're stunning. We we're literally in the middle of nowhere, with just each other for company and the odd sheep and cow!

After about two and a half hours walking...and extreme heat, we we're running out of water and so we all decided that it would be best to see if we could navigate our way back via a shorter route....we did find an alternative route but unfortunately it was steep downhill inclines....the boys we're fine in their walking boots, the girls had trainers on and I ended on my backside more than once!

Anyway...after a lot of navigating and dare I say it a bit of luck...we got back to the car...and the cooler box that contained some cold beers. We sat by the Lake for half an hour, then headed back to our house.

We then decided to have a BBQ, so sat out in the garden until late, it was a great day!!

Some things never change..............

Kayaking

Went to get some outdoor furniture today, filled up the gas bottle for the BBQ and then headed down to Westshore Estuary for kayaking, it was good fun. When we got back we spotted this Mk1 Escort 1972, GRP4 Tarmac Track. Graham chatted to the guy for a while and took some pics....

Boxing Day

Up bright and early...to hit the shops for a BBQ in the Sale! Got all the bits and bobs that go with it and came home to ring family again so we could say hi to you all on your Christmas Day night...Helen and Jon came around with the cooler box full of beers and we did a picnic and we set off up the coast about 20 miutes to find a spot for............................FISHING AGAIN! The further north we went the more the clouds descended...so Helen and I sat on the beach in our fleeces with the wind in out hair...watching the boys fish and looking longlingly at the blue skies in every direction but ours!

Had a picnic and stayed there for a few hours...then headed back to our house for dinner.

Saw a double rainbow over the front of te house whilst we we're out chatting.....

Christmas Day 2007

Rainbow ...........

Helen and Jon laughing at Grahams Drawings!!!!!!!!!!

Competition was getting intense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( There was only ever going to be one winning team though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Helens burnt christmas pudding

Smoke alarm wafting!

Dr.Doolittle

Green Lipped Mussels

Woke up to sunshine...but no family. Felt quite sad when we first woke up as we we're so far away...opened a couple of prezzies..see full waterproofs on Graham for fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spoke to family on the phone and then got ready for the day, At 11.00 we set off to our friends Chris and Paul in Havelock North, they are a couple we met when we first arrived in Auckland. They live in the Bay and we have been in contact since we arrived. They we're really good to us the first week we arrived in the Bay and just wanted to come home!!!

Arrived...and the house was buzzing...they had friends over from the UK. The kids had been bought a pool table and so typically Graham and I challenged them to a game...or two! Had a great catch up, drank blackcurrent and ice cream smoothies...lots of nice chat, and then we headed off up the road to Helen and Jon's.

Got there about 12.30...set the table and did all the prep work for the meal together. Sat out on the decking and chatted..it was a nice day. Their very 'sensitive' smoke alarm kept going off so we ended up fanning that a lot of the day!! We ate about 4.00...outside on the balcony. We had Green Lipped Mussels to start, Snapper Fillets and Veg for main meal and....christmas pudding for pud...well, it was supposed to be Christmas Pudding ( see photo)...it ended up burnt ( Helens cooking!!!!!), with plastic stuck all over it...she cut all the plastic off and served it, we took one mouthful and looked at each other....and we're desperately hoping Jon would say 'we can't eat that!!'...and he did...tasted of plastic and burning!!

After dinner we played the 'rizzler' game...Graham won everytime! Then we played pictionary....and the HOLLANDS won!!!!! Had a great time and a good laugh.

Had cheese and biscuits later on ...and then we all rolled into bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Day had by all...but we would have killed to come back to the UK for the day!!

Christmas Eve

Sharon, Steve and Kyle came around for dinner this evening. In between courses we went for a walk on the beach..which was very windy as you can see in pics...still warm though!

He's Been................

Father Christmas has been, we saw Rudolph in the Sky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Picture taken of the sky in Wellington New Zealand.