Start the Year as we mean to go on.....

What a perfect day. We started off by picking blueberries in the morning at a local farm, then headed off to the sea. We followed the east coast by road until we saw a good spot and pulled in.

We spent the day with the dogs on a beautiful beach with turquoise water and golden sand. Perfect!


John had a go with his new surf casting rod and as you can see from the photo managed to catch a fish, even if it was a tiddler. Think Titan has got his eyes on it for his supper!


I relaxed, soaking up the sun (with the dogs) and reading.

I love this photo of my two boys enjoying the beach.

Later in the day we took the dogs for a walk along the beach before heading home and having a yummy lamb BBQ on the patio with Mum.

Let's hope this day was the start of many in 2011! X

Happy New Year!

We started New Year's eve at the 'Rock the Lake' concert held in Rotorua, a bit of a chilly night once the sun went down but great atmosphere. We headed home to enjoy the midnight fireworks from our balcony across the lake, beautiful.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2011! Sending you all our love and you're always in our thoughts and hearts, however far away you are. xx

Time to Relax

The weather closed in today, so we saw it as a good excuse to have some relax time. We headed into town and after a bit of a shop, went to the driving range to smack a few baseballs in the batting nets. Great fun, I'm sure there's a technique to it, but started to hit a few by the end of our 3rd basket! Finished the day off with a trip to the Cinema to see the last in the trilogy, 'The Girl that Kicked the Hornets Nest', great films.

No Rest for the Wicked!

True to form, John didn't have much time to rest and recover from Christmas. He was out the next day with his axe, chopping down the punga fern that was on our patio. It use to be lovely, but over the last 6 months had grown to a point where it was no longer attractive or useful, so we made the decision to get rid of it and open up the area to the light.












It makes lots more space to lounge in the hammock and improves the whole look of the area.

Happy Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and enjoy the festive season.


We had a lovely day. In the morning Mum worked really hard and produced an amazing spread of goodies for friends and family, out on her deck. Although the weather was warm, the sun didn't really come out until the afternoon.







We finished off the day with a Lamb BBQ on the patio with the traditional kiwi strawberry pavlova and chocs. All very relaxing and enjoyable. Hope all you guys in the UK had some snow to enjoy.

Sending you all our love for the coming year. Big Hugs. x

Present sniffer!

Someone can't seem to leave the presents alone. He was caught in the act, thought that we weren't watching!

Bon Jovi Weekend

We've just had another weekend up in Auckland. We discovered some fantastic shopping spots, Ponsonby was a complete party atmosphere with their Santa parade, live music and great shopping.

We treated ourselves to a visit to the Ice Lounge on Saturday evening before dinner. Amazing place, all made of ice, even the glasses that we had our cocktail in. Could only manage to stay for one drink as it got too cold!

Then headed to the Orbit restaurant at Sky Tower, where you watch 360 degrees of Auckland go by whilst you dine, stunning views and fabulous food.
















On the Sunday we first visited the War Memorial Museum which was fascinating and then on to Parnell, another wonderful place, full of boutique shops and beautiful eateries, sitting Al Fresco, watching the world go by.



The concert in the evening was amazing. Bon Jovi was a complete star, and the fact that we had seats only 5 rows from the stage made it even more outstanding.


Heading home on Monday we went via One Tree hill which is surrounded by lovely park land with grazing livestock just mixing with all us tourists. Stunning views from the top and a chance to take more photos.

Both John and I feel completely relaxed and refreshed, felt like we'd been away for a week!

Sunday Afternoon Relax

John, relaxing on the patio, shooting starlings off our roof! It takes great skill timing your shots with the swing of the hammock!

John's Space

Finally, the other weekend, John found some time to get round to building himself a work bench in the garage, so he could, at last, get his space a bit tidier and organised. Also makes it easier for me to find things when I want to use his tools!! It means he has a proper place for sharpening his chainsaw blade ready for more tree felling!

John's Christmas Work Do

Last night we dressed up 'Western style' and attended John's work do at NZ Adventures in Rotorua. Most people had made a real effort in fancy dress, espcially one of John's guys nicknamed Tadpole, who came as Pocahontas! He's the one on the left!!










It was a fabulous evening, with bucking bronco riding, knife throwing and laser clay pigeon shooting, great food and music, a really fun evening!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Husband. My life is all the richer for you being in it. I love you with all my heart and cherish every moment we spend together. xx

Stunning Day

Today was glorious, the weather was warm and sunny and the lake looked just spectacular from our balcony.




The day ended with the most stunning of sunsets. Beautiful!

Ladies that Lunch

Today, to celebrate Mum's return to New Zealand, after our dogs walking group we went round to friend Marilyn's for a lovely lunch, each of us taking a plate of yummy food.

It was fabulous weather and we could have stayed there all day.

Bonfire Clearing

Last weekend we had a full day of fire blazing, clearing away the last of the 3 pine trees that we had down. While Mum and I racked the paddock of all the old pine needles, John was loading the fire up to keep it burning.









We're so pleased at how much clearer it's now looking. Only another 17 pine trees to go!

Chicken Update

Just to let you all know, the chickens love their new home and have now stopped laying their eggs all over the show, using their nesting box every day. Hurray!

New Chicken House

The first chicken house that we built for our hens, was a little on the large side, so John decided to re-model the old house and make it more homely and cosy for them.

He cleverly made an insert to be put inside the original house, which provides them with a great nesting area, relaxing zone complete with ladder up to their perch for sleeping.



They're now living it up in their 5 Star accommodation with views over the lake, it's a hard life being a chicken!!



Whilst John was working on the house, all the animals we're watching intently....