Winter is on the way!

The days are getting shorter, the clocks have gone back. It's a sure sign that winter is on the way when I start to stack wood outside the door ready for our first fire. I wonder how long we can hold off before giving in to the log fires in the evenings?

The Squeeze!

Today we've been on 'The Squeeze' experience. A fabulous day starting off with a leisurely jet boat ride down the Waikato River, taking in the beautiful scenery.

We then stripped down to our togs and got out the boat and started to wade down the river towards 'the squeeze'.


This is a narrow gap in the rocks that you literally have to squeeze through whilst in the water, sometimes up to chin height slowly working your way through the gorge, all the time the water is getting warmer and warmer as you head towards the thermal hot pools.


Eventually you come out under 2 waterfalls of lovely hot water where we relaxed and soaked.







Then for the journey back through 'the squeeze' to the boat, followed by a hair-raising, thrill seeking, 360 degree spinning boat ride back up the Waikato river to the start.

We met a lovely couple from Wales (Alice and Dan) who are currently working in Auckland but visiting the area for the weekend and they came back to the house and staying with us for a couple of days to see the sights of Rotorua. What a great weekend, even if it is a bit rainy!

Earning Your Keep

Whilst we were up checking the chickens today, Titan appeared with a big fat rat in his mouth. A few swift bites and it was all over. What a clever puppy, he deserves a big dinner tonight!

It's Raining Giant Walnuts!

After such a wet winter last year, we seem to have the most amazing harvest of giant walnuts, raining down on us with every breath of wind. They're dropping all around us whilst we try to collect them up. Now we're trying to dry them out, no mean feat with possums and mice taking a real liking to them.

Weekend with Mum at Ohope

I can't believe that Mum is flying back to the UK on Wednesday. We needed a bit of quality Mum and Daughter time before she goes, so we spent the weekend at Ohope.


The weather again was outstanding and we started Saturday with a full cooked breakie prepared on the BBQ on the deck, Yum!

We then hunted down a beautiful garden centre just outside Whakatane with a lovely coffee and gift shop.

Cousins Kay and Richard joined us at the house for lunch and a relaxed walk on the beach before I headed back to the country residence!

Birthday Celebrations

I've had a wonderful birthday and feel completely spoilt. It was so great to have so many cards from friends and family, making me feel very loved.


After a fantastic morning and lunch with my special friend Jo and her daughter Abbie, I then went with Mum to the Polynesian Pools for a soak in the mineral baths followed by a relaxing massage.



John took Mum and I out for dinner in the evening to the new Richard's 'fine-dining' restaurant in town that was amazing. Have to rate it as one of the best meals I've ever had....delicious!

A truly outstanding birthday.

Relax at Ohope

This weekend, John and I had our first chance to relax and enjoy the new beach house at Ohope. We packed everything up, including the dogs and headed out to the East Coast.

After having a lovely dinner of local fish & chips our neighbour came round and told us about the 8.9 earthquake and Tsunami in Japan and that there was a warning put out for coastal areas of New Zealand. We decided it wasn't worth the risk as reports were very sketchy at that stage and headed back to Rotorua in the middle of the night.

By morning they had down-graded any warnings so returned to the beach house to enjoy the rest of our weekend.

We had a wonderful time, the weather was outstanding, sunbathed, walked on the beach with the dogs, visited the local summer festival in Whakatane, read lots and generally chilled out.



On Sunday morning we got up just after sunrise and took the fishing rod down to the harbour entrance to do a spot of fishing. No fish caught this time, it must have been too early for them!