tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41206777085082404702024-03-13T08:39:18.479+00:00Sassybelle BloomsA Journal of Joy to Cheer & Delight❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-71684081622128767032012-08-26T23:04:00.000+01:002012-08-26T23:04:33.575+01:00Lovely lazy day.....<span style="color: #666666;">I've just had the most wonderfully lazy, mooching day......I started off with my typical weekend croissants and coffee.....just like yesterday......</span><div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">.....I watched as Big Miss set up a bit of photo styling.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">....I noticed Little Miss playing quietly with her dolls and ponies.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">.....I enjoyed some creative time with the Misses making wallpaper envelopes......</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">....I listened to Little Lad roleplaying as Indiana Jones around the house.....while I relaxed with a mocha and mags.....endeavouring to catch up with my neglected, of late, magazines.....whilst also gaining inspiration for home titivating at the same time.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">....I indulged in a spot of crocheting......the first in many weeks......</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">.....I was quietly impressed that Big Lad was getting his things organised to go back to school.....in a week......</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">.....and here I am now partaking in a bit of blogging.......</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">.....finally I think I'll finish my day with another bit of hookie in bed......</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">.....that was hookie....NOT nookie.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">.......before I go to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">It's been the most laid-back, relaxing day I've had for simply ages......and goodness it felt good .....I wish all weekends could be like this.....without doing a mountain of jobs.....without playing referee to the Angels.....without feeling guilty for not doing said mountain of jobs...... without the garden needing attention.....although it does, desperately.....just relaxing and going with the flow of the day......spending some time loosely with my Angels....but with each of us also doing our own thing.....it was just the best!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">I've also just got into and onto Instagram.....so all these photos come courtesy of that.</span></div>
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❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-69129787433544122672012-08-22T23:30:00.000+01:002012-08-23T00:20:24.475+01:00Impromptu picnic....<span style="color: #666666;">So yesterday, almost....but not quite.....on the spur of the moment, I decided to take the Angels for a picnic dinner.....I quickly made some most scrumptious choc chip cookies from Sarah's recipe over at <a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/2012/07/easy-choc-chip-cookies.html" target="_blank">abeachcottage</a>......she has a lovely blog, with such stunning photos.....but I digress....I didn't have any choc chips.....so I improvised with some Whittakers peanut chocolate from NZ that was open and languishing uneaten in my bedroom.....how was that I wonder.....languishing uneaten, when it is simply the most deelish chocolate......trying to keep the pounds off, that's how..... anyway, I digress again.....the peanut chocolate was an absolute success.....a tasty twist for choc chip cookies.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">After the cookies, I hurriedly whipped up some pesto pastry pinwheels.....threw some carrot and cucumber sticks into a jam jar.....grabbed a handful of cherry tomatoes......bottled some strawberry cordial.....flung everything into a French couffin shopping basket.....along with some cups and napkins......and bundled everything and everyone into the car.....I dashed into the local chippy for a portion of chips on route.....they always taste scrummy alfresco......then zippity zipped down to the local ponds for our said impromptu picnic dinner......</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">I didn't plan on being there too long.....Mrs Sunshine and Mr Cloud had been battling it out all day to see who would be victorious.....but I set off with a hopeful heart and a quick prayer to the angels for a window of opportunity before the heavens opened......we found a relatively sheltered spot......a brisk breeze was rustling the leaves to be sure......where we could easily enjoy casting our view upon the pond......and settled ourselves down directly beneath the cusp of a storm.....Mrs Sunshine bathed us in the last of her rays.....while the </span><span style="color: #666666;">hugest, </span><span style="color: #666666;">heaviest, blackest Mr Cloud threaten to dump torrential rain on us at any moment.......</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">......but despite feeling slightly chilly, we were thankful for that brisk breeze, as it held Mr Cloud at bay while we enjoyed our impromptu picnic.......</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">....it was not the best of days to decide to potter off for a pond picnic....but in true British style, we did not let the weather get the better of us.....it was just nice to be outside enjoying nature and the elements.....the pastry pinwheels and cookies went down such a treat, they were all gone before I realised I didn't even get a chance for a quick piccie....such was the rush of getting ready....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">With full tummies, Mr Cloud finally victorious over Mrs Sunshine, and the threat of Mr Cloud opening his flood gates just a little too close for comfort, we packed up and ambled back to the car.....halfway home the rain started to fall.....as we pulled up outside home, the gentle pitter patter of the first raindrops suddenly became deafening as it pelted the car.....we were home safe and dry....but stranded inside the car for almost five minutes while we watched the gutters overflow, unable to take the sheer volume of such a sudden and heavy deluge......but Big Lad is impatient and declared he was going to wait no longer.....he was going to brave the downpour and fetch an umbrella to ferry everyone inside......as soon as our knight with an umbrella returned, the rain eased as suddenly as it had started.....and everyone made it inside as dry as a bone.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">.....thankfully the angels up above heard my prayers and allowed us that window of opportunity to enjoy our impromptu pond picnic.....my Angels and I had a delightful dinner dining out.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #93c47d;">-</span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">x</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: x-large;">x</span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">x</span><span style="color: #6aa84f;">-</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-15483501365833812852012-08-22T22:36:00.000+01:002012-08-22T22:36:25.397+01:00Phew....<span style="color: #666666;">....it's been a while...</span><span style="color: #666666;">...my NZ entries were so epic......and took me so long to record here...... but now I'm so pleased to have done so......to have a visual.....and briefly annotated diary of our super duper, most fabulicious adventure in NZ......both for me.....and my Angels......to look back on in years to come......a digital </span><span style="color: #666666;">travelogue........to relive and revive our slightly fuzzy memories.....I just hope blogger will still be here in years to come.....still looking after our most precious memories, keeping them as fresh as a daisy......as if they were just yesterday......</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">But my goodness, this year has seemed to whizz by.......it feels like life has just taken over .....</span><span style="color: #666666;">like I've been swept up by a big blustery wind and tossed hither and tither on the wild waves of life, not knowing quite which way I'm going........</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">......and what of my aim to slow my life down.....to savour my life.....and love my life........ well I'm very sad to say that all kinda went by the by whilst I was on these whipped up waves..... but that's not to say that I didn't think about pausing momentarily to appreciate and record the good things.....because I most certainly did.....and I'd often run through little mocked up lines in my mind of what I wanted to say......I just never managed to actually take the time to do so.......</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">......and here I am, several months down the line with a chunk of our lives all a bit of a blur .....nothing too huge in the big scheme of things really.....after all, I only started this blog around a year ago......and I don't have any proper record beyond that.....and a few months out of our </span><span style="color: #666666;">lifetime is just that, a few months......not a lot actually......</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">.....but I've actually missed blogging.....taking the time to think about the good things in my life.....to photograph and write about them.....it's not polished with fab photography.....but I enjoy the creativity of it all.....and of taking some quiet time just for me.....doing something I like to do.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">......so here's to a new start......to slowing down......to savouring my life.....to really enjoying and appreciating what I do.....for if I don't, my life will have whizzed by before I know it.....and I'll be left washed out and faded by those ever constant waves of life......wondering what happened to the sparkle of life.....like those tiny twinkles that glint off the waves when the sunlight catches the sea spray, and then vanish in an instant as the clouds shimmy across the sun .....leaving those tiny twinkly sparkles looking dull and grey......here's to blogging again..... and celebrating all that is good in my life......</span></div>
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❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-44135734938070866982012-08-02T23:34:00.000+01:002012-08-02T23:34:46.584+01:00NZ Treasures.....<span style="color: #666666;">Treasures bought.....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwJRATPePKQxsdspSJUxY2LN3a0v_mz8CY3oU4f9dtsCF1eQOG2eFFyqVl6oZFlEriHW8rTC7dXUaHHM_tN3QONYgL3v_JOguuEl3Rd6DS9Rdg3ujj_UG4Ol4SU4uJYhvmAixxD6QM3y7/s1600/NZ+Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwJRATPePKQxsdspSJUxY2LN3a0v_mz8CY3oU4f9dtsCF1eQOG2eFFyqVl6oZFlEriHW8rTC7dXUaHHM_tN3QONYgL3v_JOguuEl3Rd6DS9Rdg3ujj_UG4Ol4SU4uJYhvmAixxD6QM3y7/s400/NZ+Collage+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Treasured family......</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5NM812SeCpFYSFCCYckbS7e8IMemEnuoab2ZdlC17bVwdVdHxFmLnKkFT3OtZcIiQJjZLohQjOT0tPB3Zyc8ku2N1Rsgq9e13xSp5UGAGHlij3qwfEmL6wpkluzNzdhyDpXKixFBdIzO/s1600/NZ+Collage+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5NM812SeCpFYSFCCYckbS7e8IMemEnuoab2ZdlC17bVwdVdHxFmLnKkFT3OtZcIiQJjZLohQjOT0tPB3Zyc8ku2N1Rsgq9e13xSp5UGAGHlij3qwfEmL6wpkluzNzdhyDpXKixFBdIzO/s400/NZ+Collage+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Treasures of the sea.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Landscapes and flora to treasure....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Fauna to treasure.......</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthFdRgTxN1zqz-NnT16R52w9YTpANKfcVOEztat7VDUTVxUvNldAYj99HoiKRiZMd7ZbuU1tvcXKzetZpCtZvzxCCM45yUd5Je_CDDAzdlyI2bccqCfkrvyDpMzvLudJyh3KpTQFqWZed/s1600/NZ+Collage+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthFdRgTxN1zqz-NnT16R52w9YTpANKfcVOEztat7VDUTVxUvNldAYj99HoiKRiZMd7ZbuU1tvcXKzetZpCtZvzxCCM45yUd5Je_CDDAzdlyI2bccqCfkrvyDpMzvLudJyh3KpTQFqWZed/s400/NZ+Collage+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Geothermal landscapes to treasure.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnqezVVRdlNVUn9cJ__-W3lAMbeeyyURatYflrjSH1sCJhTZLKBZ04AxCTal1jga4DBKFvR9OXfXKjlwy7wK9luWApUxTPL9UDP8vGASVmPD_nGn-ntV9e73SFDC022rA-WP6PyGXAIgX/s1600/NZ+Collage+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnqezVVRdlNVUn9cJ__-W3lAMbeeyyURatYflrjSH1sCJhTZLKBZ04AxCTal1jga4DBKFvR9OXfXKjlwy7wK9luWApUxTPL9UDP8vGASVmPD_nGn-ntV9e73SFDC022rA-WP6PyGXAIgX/s400/NZ+Collage+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">New Zealand treasures.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd1GGVtcFbfA56pqp2bQ-_i9tNmvYtlhxmp-mwvhDxFa_1YOYyMIT3PnHpoL_toHvFjhkEAJbJk4XiSGc9-o5d1xXkYcc8FCDGVhzTgaKPEQxUeTIk25iGGToRIV_QafGokd5FjsTAuls/s1600/NZ+Collage+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbd1GGVtcFbfA56pqp2bQ-_i9tNmvYtlhxmp-mwvhDxFa_1YOYyMIT3PnHpoL_toHvFjhkEAJbJk4XiSGc9-o5d1xXkYcc8FCDGVhzTgaKPEQxUeTIk25iGGToRIV_QafGokd5FjsTAuls/s400/NZ+Collage+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">A montage of New Zealand memories to treasure forever.</span></div>
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<br />❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-85815820691190726082012-07-31T22:28:00.000+01:002012-07-31T22:28:53.750+01:00Farewell....but not forever......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And so, after 3 of the most wonderful weeks, it was sadly time to bid farewell to our friends and family..... newly found and well known.....it was time to board the plane for the long journey back to Blighty.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I'm never good with goodbyes....I'm the most emotional person there is.....I cry at cartoons...... so saying goodbye to Dad, G, A and New Zealand was the hardest thing on earth.....I was still crying on the plane.....Little Miss didn't really understand, asking after take-off why I was still crying.....she didn't understand the concept of not knowing when we'd be back.....or when we'd see our friends and family again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It was dull and dreary when we left Auckland......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....but once we cleared the cloud cover it was gloriously blue and sunny....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">T H A N K Y O U</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......for the most amazing holiday ever?</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying over Australia</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">We packed so much in......we saw so much.....we did so much....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">the Angels met members of our family they didn't even know they had....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">I spent a teeny tiny bit of time with my bestest friend....we did things we could never do here in England....the Angels learnt new skills.....I enjoyed catching up with my first real BF after more than 20 years.....the Angels learnt some of my life history.....we played games.....we laughed.....and cried.....I found I really, really miss "home", even though I thought I didn't.....we all learnt a lot.....about ourselves.....about each other......about NZ .......I discovered how wonderful it is to part of, and surrounded by family....and memories were made.....wonderful, glorious memories etched in our minds to treasure forever.....of fun times, family, friends, and faraway places.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And there are so many people to thank.....for their kindness, thoughtfulness, and going the extra mile......for treating us, taking time for us, and being with us.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....to all our friends and family who we met, who went out of your way to see us or do things for us....you all know who you are......and most especially to Grandpa and Grandma G......without whom, our holiday would never have been possible.......we say the biggest, loudest, most gratefullest.......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">A</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">N</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">K</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Y</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">O</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">U</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying over Australia</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">all saw how brilliant NZ could be for us</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....we have vowed we <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">will</span> return......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">-xxx-</span></div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-39422191100823952562012-07-01T22:02:00.000+01:002012-07-01T22:02:46.484+01:00Auckland.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Our last full day in NZ.....we managed a spot of shopping....some sightseeing.....some swimming .....some snacking on fish and chips.......and some stuffing.....stuffing loads and loads of stuff into suitcases.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The skies started off heavy and ominous.....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UlpTAYkR2tYnhVeN_NI7-tj7R2GEXJQM8Ix3pgACqNqhEJfd0YvAY2iT4E9Ahs_OySlKZAaHT-sUmk6DgtUOJ-sxbKTdY8BexscpOaEhCkDOwqkX7EvmkNLe-yyM_HBX50Z9_1TISXYK/s1600/DSCF0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UlpTAYkR2tYnhVeN_NI7-tj7R2GEXJQM8Ix3pgACqNqhEJfd0YvAY2iT4E9Ahs_OySlKZAaHT-sUmk6DgtUOJ-sxbKTdY8BexscpOaEhCkDOwqkX7EvmkNLe-yyM_HBX50Z9_1TISXYK/s640/DSCF0607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, Auckland</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....but did lift and lighten a little.....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDApVueajWbZhRvkdW_g3w3n9uSTBxPw_1Vhme7xg5gF-D7Q0E3Z2zxRSPZkWZaSHGf2WJ4z9M_84sPd6nX0j_y2DZg1AMEijUjw61TwRDWV7lN1sPCw_B1xKnZOXiy-G5dXPwsF5atYb/s1600/IMG_3215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDApVueajWbZhRvkdW_g3w3n9uSTBxPw_1Vhme7xg5gF-D7Q0E3Z2zxRSPZkWZaSHGf2WJ4z9M_84sPd6nX0j_y2DZg1AMEijUjw61TwRDWV7lN1sPCw_B1xKnZOXiy-G5dXPwsF5atYb/s400/IMG_3215.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Misses</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....for a while.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, Auckland</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Angels were desperate to have some beach time before we departed.....so we gathered some things and headed off to find a sheltered beach to indulge them......and bag some precious time for us adults to chill and chat while we were at it. The plan was to enjoy fish and chips alfresco after the Angels had had their fill of sea and sand.....but with the clouds thick and grey.....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Misses</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....the wind whipping everything into a frenzy....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Miss, Little Miss & Little Lad</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....and us adults freezing our tootsies off....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Miss</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....it was time to head indoors for our fish and chip feast....just how Little Lad and Little Miss managed to be in the sea wearing only their swimming costumes is beyond me......I was huddled at a picnic bench wearing jeans and a fleece and wrapped as best I could in the Angels' towels trying desperately to keep warm....and still freezing......it was not the chillin' I had envisaged..... that's for sure!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">With heavy hearts the Angels headed off to bed....we had a very early start.....while I started stuffing suitcases.....packing and unpacking......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">zipping, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">weighing and unzipping.......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">jiggling and juggling......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">we had a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">L O T</span> of stuff....we came with four suitcases......but we were returning with five.....five very full.....and very heavy suitcases.....it was a mammoth task.... but I got there in the end.....P H E W !</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">-xxx-</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-38445626193940101272012-06-29T10:56:00.000+01:002012-06-29T11:01:16.492+01:00On-Route to Auckland......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And so it was that we trundled off from Rotorua on the last leg of our road trip.....via Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty......for the briefest of briefest visits to Grandma G's friend.....on-route for Auckland.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">There was rain on the window.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....and scudding skies all around......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....but our spirits weren't dampened......no sireee.......we were uplifted by a gorgeous garden......refreshed with tea and scrumptious cake.....and I savoured the lovely antiques ......like these beautiful old pewter tankards from over here in Blighty......</span></div>
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....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">but this was all just too much for some of us.....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">back on the road again......the perfect opportunity for a little shuteye snoozy wooze........</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....before we arrived in Auckland at our good friend A's house.....where Little Lad and Little Miss quickly made friends with Ziggy.......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....a Leopard Gecko.....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ziggy...the Leopard Gecko</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....who A was babysitting for her grandson......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It had been another long and whirlwind day.....we had experienced the entertaining Agrodome....met new friends......driven far.....and seen lots of the New Zealand countryside whizz by....we were tired.....emotions were starting to run high.....we knew our time was up......we knew our mostest wonderfullest holiday was drawing to a close....we knew we only had one full day left with family and friends in NZ.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">-xxx-</span></div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-8693800881194237462012-06-26T14:13:00.000+01:002012-06-26T14:26:33.879+01:00Agrodome.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Like many of the motels in and around the Rotorua area, ours had it's own private hot pools and a warm outdoor swimming pool heated solely by its own geothermal hotspots......unfortunately for us adults, time did not allow for us to soak up the relaxing and healing benefits of the hot pools ......although, I'm sure we would have benefited immensely after three weeks of being non-stop on the go trying to show the Angels a real taste of what New Zealand has to offer.....but while we were packing up our things and loading the minivan, Little Lad and Little Miss took full advantage of the facilities on offer, enjoying a spiffily warm splash around in the swimming pool while the skies were grey, the air was cool and the rain was drizzling....bliss!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Before we left Rotorua proper, we stopped at a brilliant attraction.....pure NZ it was....the Agrodome......a real taste of the farm....NZ style. As we drove up the road on the approach to the main building we spotted a whole paddock of these rams with the biggest curly wurly horns you've ever seen.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Parked up, and Grandpa having secured our tickets, we walked down a corridor and were surprised to walk into a huge cavernous barn-like building......we were immediately accosted by a youngish lad wielding a camera and directing us to stand in front of a large green screen.....smile.....snap .....smile again.....snap......catching our startled smiles to be printed onto photos superimposed with tractors or paddocks of sheep.....for us to buy after the show.....and save as memories of a happy holiday spent together.....Grandpa did purchase the photos for us to bring home to the UK, presented nicely in a spiral bound album type book.....but I'm not going to embarrass ourselves, caught as we were quite on-the-hop, with gawkish grins, here on this blog.....we'll laugh about them privately at home.....thank you very much.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We were extremely lucky with our timing as a "show" was due to start in about half an hour which gave us just enough time to have a quick look around.....off the left of the "barn" was a smallish room where some of the animals were patiently waiting to strut their stuff in the show......cows, ducks, geese, and.......lambs......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....who were in a low-penned enclosure just waiting to be joined and petted by anyone who chose.....the Angels loved it.....and jumped straight in to stroke and hug the little lambs..... although Grandpa had some lambs at home, they were bigger than these, and not nearly so friendly .....we had to drag the Angels away to take our seats for the show.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And what a show it was......funny, entertaining, engaging, informative.....even Big Lad was seen to be laughing and enjoying himself.....we didn't really think it would be his thing......but the presenter was fab and managed to engage all age groups easily with his humour and easy-going style.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The sheep.....19 champion rams</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> had been waiting patiently along the sides of the barn for their turn to shine.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....and then they took their turns to run onto the stage and stand on their own allocated spot....proudly representing their individual breeds......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....some of the sheep were really funny...obviously they are well trained and knew the routine..... but as their turn approached, some of them started getting impatient.....stomping their feet and pawing the rails......seemingly desperate to take their turn in the spotlight on the stage....but all became clear......at each sheep's post was a little bowl of moreish snacks to keep them occupied and well behaved......little bribe-ish treats......just like we use for little people when we want super-duper behaviour.....but some of the sheep were greedy.....gobbled up their own..... then tried jumping up, on and over their neighbour to steal what was not theirs......again, just like little people do sometimes.......and while the sheep were entertaining us with their antics, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">the presenter explained the qualities and provenance of each breed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Once we were fully informed on which breed was best suited to which need....just in case we were about to launch into our own farming venture........the sheep dogs came running in from the back of the barn.....and proceeded to herd the geese......which had just entered from a little door to the left of the stage......back and forth across the stage.....and back into their little door from whence they had come.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Next up a cow took the limelight.....and a couple of willing participants from the audience attempted to milk the cow.....a quick lesson on the art of squeezing tits in just the right manner.....followed by a few squirts of milk tinkling into the bucket. Then came the baby lambs .....yep, the very same lambs the Angels were stroking and petting before the show started...... more willing volunteers from the audience......Little Lad stretched and stretched his hand up high, but alas, was not chosen.......took to the stage.......and this time were handed bottles of milk......no having to milk their own cows for this job......the lambs were so enthusiastic for their milk, one of them knocked the bottle clean out of the hands of their willing provider...... quick work was made of dispensing with the milk, I tell you.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Shearing was next.....although the Angels had seen Grandpa do a spot of shearing at home, crutching his rather large lambs <a href="http://sassybelleblooms.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/boxing-day.html">here</a>........</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......this was a chance to see a sheep fully shawn by a super fast top NZ shearer......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....brill he was....with a running commentary about how within just a few short hours the sheep's skin has thickened up......from the shock of losing their cosy woollen blanket......to keep them warm in its absence.....he had the sheep sitting on its butt in the most relaxed fashion waving its paw.....by tightening the sheep's skin in such a way, the sheep seemingly did it all by itself.....the Angels were well amused laughing along with the rest of the audience.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A wink or a nod and you would be the new proud owner of sheep in the auction....it was fast paced and hugely entertaining when the presenter told a little lady of little English that she had nodded......and therefore had won the lot.....he invited her onto the stage and hoped she could pay for her new sheep....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....no money? never mind.....a nice watch or jewellery would do.....she was quite overcome.....but a good sport.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Then the Grand Finale came......the sheep, who by now were comfortably sitting all relaxed at their posts were gently encouraged to get to their feet and stand looking proud representing their breed....with a few special whistles the sheepdogs were running back and forth, up and over and around the sheep......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....it was a great spectacle.....with the two dogs finishing the show standing on the backs of the top two sheep! Such an entertaining show....for all of us......Grandpa took great amusement just watching the Angels watching the show.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After the show the audience were invited onto the stage for their own photo opportunities with the sheep and dogs.....then we wandered over to the well-stocked souvenir shop.....where the Angels parted with more of their holiday money.....which our wonderful friend M had so very kindly given them before we left Blighty.....there were so many things to buy and choose from......it was difficult for them to choose.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">By now we were all feeling a little peckish.......luckily for us, Grandpa and Grandma G had packed a wonderful picnic of batches and baps filled with leftovers from last night's dinner.....cakes and cookies leftover from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....and all washed down with cordial and coffee...yum...yum...yum!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">While we'd been in New Zealand, although we'd obviously seen pictures, photos, cuddlies, models and flags of kiwis, we unfortunately didn't manage to see a real, live kiwi.....but the Miss's did manage to sit on one.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....a giant one, hiding in the agapanthus bushes!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">There were lots of attractions and activities to do in Rotorua, not least the Gondola....the best way to see panoramic views of Lake Rotorua and the city.....the thrill of the Skyline Luge.....the Lads would have adored this.....and Rainbow Springs....but sadly we were out of time......we will save these for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b>N E X T</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> time......even the Agrodome had a Farm Tour and other activities to partake in......but we had to move quickly on.....Auckland and airports were calling.....but what we did manage to see was both highly entertaining and educational.....a definite must-see and well worth it!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">-xxx-</span></div>
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<br />❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-3833340955287951382012-06-08T22:18:00.000+01:002012-06-09T22:20:33.567+01:00Tamaki Maori Village Experience.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Showered, changed and refreshed, we were collected from our motel.....along with several others from various places of accommodation around Rotorua......and bused to the Tamaki Maori Village....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......upon our arrival we were not allowed to enter the fortified village until the Powhiri ....formal welcome....had been performed.....when entering Maori sacred places it is customary for the host tribe to send out a challenge of peace.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....the warriors go through some really intimidating gestures using their bodies and Taiaha ....spear-like weapons.....while poking their tongues out and making their eyes bulge.....until the Teka....peace offering....is placed and received by one of the visiting chiefs.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......the warriors were extremely fearsome.......and had a definite air of aggression about them....Little Lad and Little Miss were rather unnerved by it all......it was certainly easy to see how Captain Cook, upon sighting the Maori people for the first time, and being confronted by such a spectacle, thought the Maoris were extending a challenge of war.......rather than one of peace!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It all looks so very very green in these photos.....and it was.....we'd had the most torrential downpour while we were getting ready in our motel.....and everything always looks so green and refreshed after rain.....but none more so than the ferns and traditional bush in New Zealand.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After the Karanga.....welcome call....had echoed across the courtyard, followed by the Powhiri ....welcome dance....we were able to enter onto the village grounds.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Lit by flares and small fire baskets in the now failing light, several tribe members demonstrated different Maori activities from little traditional huts.......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....poi twirling, hand games, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">flax weaving, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">weaponry skills, and agility and combat exercises to train for war......a regular occurrence for the Maori warriors of old.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After the demonstrations, we made our way into the Wharenui.....big house, or meeting house ......where Whaikorero.....welcome speeches.....were made......followed by entertainment in the form of traditional songs, dances, the Poi dance and the Haka....telling the story of the Maori people......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">By now, it was properly dark and we were very hungry......we made our way to the Wharekai..... food house......past the Hangi.....earth oven pit.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....where our food had been cooked in the traditional manner.....rocks are heated in a fire using native timber until they are white hot......they are then put into a pit dug into the earth.....baskets of meat are put directly onto the hot stones, followed by baskets of vegetables, and finally the pudding basket on top .....a wet cloth is placed over the food, followed by wet hessian.....earth is quickly piled over everything to keep the heat inside the earth oven......where it is left to steam and cook for three to four hours.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....this Hangi pit is rather commercialised compared to what a totally traditional pit would have looked like.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The food was served as a buffet, with an excellent </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">selection of meats, fish, vegetables and salad, followed by a traditional New Zealand dessert of pavlova......I was really sceptical about the Hangi food, since having had one as a child and hating it......but I was most pleasantly surprised at how delicious it all was......we all ate until we were completely stuffed full.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Our evening at the Maori village ended with the poroporoaki.....the official closing ceremony .....with a couple more songs.....waiata.......and whaikorero.....speeches......after which, we were all bused back to our accommodations around Rotorua.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It was an interesting and educational evening for us all....but especially for the Angels who had never encountered Maoris dressed in traditional costume......or had any knowledge of their customs and culture. Before the Angels knew we were going to New Zealand, I surreptitiously asked them what they would like to do if we ever got to go there......Big Miss said she wanted to go to a Maori village......so we.....Big Miss especially.....would like to thank Grandpa and Grandma G for making it possible and treating us to this wonderful cultural experience, which I'm sure will remain in our memories for years to come!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-20274503454503010922012-05-17T21:24:00.001+01:002012-05-17T21:24:51.191+01:00Wai-O-Tapu.....part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So Little Lad, Little Miss, Grandpa and Grandma G felt their tummies calling for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b4a7d6;">c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">e </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a2c4c9;">c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffe599;">e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ea9999;">m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......so they high-tailed it back to the Visitors' Centre cafe.....while Big Lad, Big Miss and myself completed the circuit......at the highest point of the trail we were greeted with this view.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....and then descended down onto the flats themselves.....where w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">e spotted a family of pied stilts.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....can you see the little one in the middle of the picture.....lazily looking here and there for morish morsels to eat.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The colours splashed all around were so bright and vivid.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......as if someone had taken a tube of paint and just squirted and dabbed at random......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....or beautifully opaque and milky......like this serene looking "Oyster Pool"......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....but don't be fooled by the serenity though.....there were warnings everywhere not to step off the boardwalk because the temperatures of the pools and surrounding mud could easily be 100</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Apple Symbols';">℃</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.....even though they looked so innocent.....</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">At the base of this rock formation, bubbling out of one of the little pools, was the Wai-O-Tapu Geyser......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....we could see the preceding bubbles erupt on the surface.....so we waited and watched.....walked on.....and wandered back......but alas, it was not playing fair.....and did not blast a vast jet of water into the air for our entertainment and enjoyment......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After walking around the far edge of the flats, we finally rounded a corner and were met by the end of the pathway and a view to take our breaths away......Lake Ngakoro......with Mt Tauhara ......a dormant volcano which reaches 1088m above sea level....and whose name, according to Maori legend means alone or isolated......in the far distance......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Ngakoro & Mt Tauhara</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The landscape was so diverse.....one minute we were looking out upon wide open flats.....the next we were looking down huge great chasms and vents.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inferno Crater</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....like the Inferno Crater.......</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqceWCHfItib1Z4dOsVVOhbLX1aLSuu99hVXdRMFiiUgKCIm57VySY1skqMpIsg9Q59xN_w6v3cg1V_9JmzK5TP2FXTkB3SRlH9_K2_Y7XwF92lkbMQ-YHrFXbrUzabGoRm8Je7wj-sRi/s1600/P1000658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqceWCHfItib1Z4dOsVVOhbLX1aLSuu99hVXdRMFiiUgKCIm57VySY1skqMpIsg9Q59xN_w6v3cg1V_9JmzK5TP2FXTkB3SRlH9_K2_Y7XwF92lkbMQ-YHrFXbrUzabGoRm8Je7wj-sRi/s640/P1000658.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....and the Birds Nest Crater.......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">....or upon lakes of every tint and hue.....like this one......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....which wouldn't look out of place bubbling and boiling away in a witch's cauldron.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">...or this two-toned pool.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Wai-O-Tapu......Sacred Waters....was certainly a colourful and stunning geothermal wonderland to explore......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">aving drained our water bottles......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Big Lad, Big Miss and myself arrived back at the Visitor Centre hot and parched.......and most definitely looking forward to a refreshing drink and a delightfully cooling </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9cb9c;">c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">e </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd;">c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b;">r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af;">e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;">m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......but we were out of time.......we were hurriedly ushered into the minivan and driven off to our motel to get showered and changed in time to be collected for our Tamaki Maori Village experience.....an evening of cultural enlightenment and dinner.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">-xxx-</span></div>
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<br /></div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-11593513997446588502012-05-17T11:13:00.000+01:002012-05-17T21:56:46.377+01:00Wai-O-Tapu......part 1......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Our next stop on our journey up the North Island was Wai-O-Tapu Scenic Reserve......about half way between Taupo and Rotorua......the most amazingly weird and colourful landscape......it was very easy to imagine we'd been abducted by aliens and deposited on their planet.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">All the craters and natural geothermal formations had been named......often with some reference to the inferno of the underworld......from whence the devil resides.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The yellow colouring comes from a sulphur vent blowing up from inside the earth.......Little Lad and Little Miss found the rotten egg smell of the sulphur rather repugnant......</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's Home</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Devil's Ink Pots</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Devil's Inkpots</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Artist's Palette is like just that.....a seemingly flatish, artist's palette shape with a whole range of colours as if an artist had just plopped his paints into little puddles ready to paint the landscape.......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist's Palette</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist's Palette - left</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist's Palette - right</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Part of the Artist's Palette is the Champagne Pool.....so called because of the millions of tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide.....can you see them.....constantly bubbling up to the surface from a steep sided crater 62m deep inside the Earth, formed by a hydro-thermal eruption 700 years ago......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne Pool</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And that isn't mist....or smoke......it's steam......rising from the water of the pool which enters through a deep conduit at about 230</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Apple Symbols';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">℃</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and cools within the pool to about 74</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Apple Symbols';">℃</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne Pool</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The vivid orange colour comes from the presence of arsenic and antimony sulphur compounds rich in minerals including gold and silver......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne Pool</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">On the other side of the boardwalk from the Artist's Palette, l</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">ooking all the world like a salt flat is the Primrose Terrace.......which is formed from the water of the Champagne Pool......</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primrose Terrace</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">As we walked around this amazingly weird and wonderful thermal wonderland.....up gentle hills that we didn't really realise we were going up......and down into narrow valleys.....we also wandered through ancient kanuka and manuka forests.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and forests of pinus radiata.......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">which gave us a brief welcome respite from the hot sun bearing down on us......which, combined with the heat rising from the depths of the Earth......created a veritable heat trap......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and hanging high above us in the pine forests were huge bundles of foliage......for what reason, we knew not why.....but they looked like giant </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">baubles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> suspended for the festive season.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">At this point Little Lad and Little Miss had had enough of the "stinky eggy smell" that gently pervaded the air......and Grandpa's worn out knee was really aching.....so with Grandma G they left Big Lad, Big Miss and myself to continue the bigger loop, while they took the shorter loop back to the beginning.....to eat </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f4cccc;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fce5cd;">c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #fff2cc;">e </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">crea</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ead1dc;">m</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......and await for our return......</span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-13322850942176729602012-03-07T11:27:00.000+00:002012-03-07T11:27:25.679+00:00Taupo, Part 2.......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After we'd marvelled at Craters of the Moon, we zipped over to the lookout to be wowed by the majesty of Huka Falls......the most visited natural attraction in NZ.....on the Waikato River ......which drains Lake Taupo.....which itself is<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">the largest freshwater lake in all of Australasia. T</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">he Waikato River is normally 100m wide, but at the falls is squeezed through a 20 metre wide gorge....a hard volcanic ledge.......and over a 20m drop.....forming a visual fest of powerful falls and rapids.......e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">very second up to 220,000 litres of water gushes through the gorge and shoots out over the cliff face.......it bursts out of its rapids over 8 metres beyond into a deep circular basin to create a beautiful blue/green pool....t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">he name Huka is the Maori word for 'foam'........and it really does look like frothy foam......</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huka Falls, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huka Falls, NZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huka Falls......Looking Upstream</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Such an amazing natural wonder!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Next we stopped by the Honey Hive......a great little place where you can view bees going about their bee business in a glass hive, taste a variety of different honeys, purchase any manner of products made with honey and/or bee products, and watch an informative little video which explains almost everything there is to know about the humble honey bee.....it was fascinating .....and even the Angels were engrossed watching the video.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After that we popped down the road to the Volcanic Activity Centre.......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">a hands-on interactive </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">educational</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">centre that makes learning about the earths volcanic forces easy and fun.....we learnt about t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">he Taupo Volcanic Zone which stretches from the magnificent volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park, through Rotorua....an active geothermal area....to New Zealand’s most active volcano White Island.....t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">his area is considered one of the most active geothermal and volcanic areas in the world today and covers an area of 19,635km.....it was another fascinating.....and important.....stop for the Angels where they learnt about a hugely important facet of New Zealand's past and present composition and formation.......</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcanic Activity Centre</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And our last stop in the Taupo area was to see where steam is harvested from geothermal fluid to generate electricity.......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wairakei Geothermal Power Generation</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">This is an incredible and absolutely amazing way of generating electricity......this "power station" is hidden in a secluded, uninhabited valley.....and uses only the earth's natural resources......</span><br /><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">To try to get an idea of just how much heat.....energy.....is sitting just below and/or bubbling up from the earth's centre all around this area......this seemingly innocent white flow of mist.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geothermal Stream</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">is actually a flowing stream of boiling water......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It is water like this that is processed through all the miles of piping here.....to harvest the steam.....to generate electricity.....quite simply amazing!!!</span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-82239589667608157162012-02-29T15:55:00.000+00:002012-02-29T15:55:52.490+00:00Taupo......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Our second day in Taupo dawned promising weather-wise, although there were still some ominous clouds scudding across the sky.....we could even see the mountains we had missed the day before, outlined on the horizon....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Taupo with Mts Ruapehu, Tongariro, & Ngauruhoe on the Horizon</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">but we were ever hopeful.....there were plenty of patches of blue sky.........and we had lots planned......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Taupo</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">First port of call for the day was Craters of the Moon, where the Angels got their first real taster of geothermal activity.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craters of the Moon, NZ</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The glorious earthy colours of sienna, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">fern, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">ochre, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">algae, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">red oxide, sulphur, and moss are everywhere and anywhere you care to rest your eyes ........</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The pathway around the site is very clearly marked by boardwalks, with signs explicitly explaining not to leave the designated paths.........so you don't accidentally stumble into a steaming vent......they are extremely hot and some are very close to the boardwalks......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and if you bent down close to an open vent......and got a moments quietness from the excited exclamations of the Angels.....you could hear the boiling water popping and sizzling in the vent......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Steam never stops rising from boiling, bubbling, blubbing mud pools......bubble, bubble, toil and trouble......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boiling, Bubbling, Blubbing Mud Pools</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">there is a constantly faint whiff of rotten eggs caused by ever-present hydrogen sulphide that is found in geothermal areas......where is that smell-o-vision when I need it......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and it was warm.....very warm......it was quite sunny, with just enough cloud cover to provide a welcome respite in this sun trap......thankfully we were visiting in the morning, before the sun beat down with it's full-on fierce force.......but you could definitely feel the warmth rising up from inside the earth.....it would have been a pleasantly warm outing had there been no sun.....although the colours wouldn't have been gloriously jewel-like without the sun to lift and brighten the amazing colour palette .....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craters of the Moon, NZ</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Wow.....what a primordial looking landscape, with a bizarre kind of beauty......and this was just the start......there was more of nature's art to wonder and marvel at later in the day......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">-xx-</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-48007544345747486372012-02-28T11:35:00.000+00:002012-02-29T15:55:11.600+00:00New Year's Day.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And so it was that we set off on our road trip up the North Island......heading for our final destination......Auckland.....the weather looked to be on the improve.......the rain had stopped falling.....the clouds were trying to part......letting the sun shine occasional sparkling rays on us......Grandpa had hired a minivan seating 13, so with only 7 of us, we all had plenty of room......despite the back being piled high with all our bags and suitcases...... we only flew out with 4 suitcases.....but we were going back with 5.....packed to the max of our weight allowance.....we had music to listen to.......maps to enlighten the Angels about our journey.......snacks to stave off the munchies.......and sweeties......tons of yummy traditional New Zealand sweeties.....just cos they were yummy.....and to use as the occasional bribe for quiet behaviour when restlessness started to kick in....well, we had to have something up our sleeves heheheh.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Unfortunately the improvement in the weather as we left Wellington was short lived...... somewhere after Sanson it started drizzling......then continued to gain momentum.......by the time we drove through Wairouru......the gateway town to the 3 central mountains....... Ngauruhoe, Tongariro & Ruapehu......it was torrential. The scenery from Wairouru through to Taupo via the Desert Road.........should have been spectaular with the mountains looming up in the distance.......</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruapehu (left), Ngauruhoe (conical, centre), Tongariro (right)</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">and the Rangipo Desert........</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">a barren desert-like landscape........through which we were driving.....giving us plenty to marvel at.......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqtjahutDMKAKwIMjyVledq1Wl0goyPyb1c_QbJzWnTaVXI6l7xtXowWBXrejTeKcn3Y01XsIv9BQp42gErPG7h5ejCtYE92lCtnKo8aLq9ff94Z8qCVl26yHSwqVJ65eQo1frDefokcm/s1600/280px-Rangipo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqtjahutDMKAKwIMjyVledq1Wl0goyPyb1c_QbJzWnTaVXI6l7xtXowWBXrejTeKcn3Y01XsIv9BQp42gErPG7h5ejCtYE92lCtnKo8aLq9ff94Z8qCVl26yHSwqVJ65eQo1frDefokcm/s320/280px-Rangipo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rangipo Desert, Central North Island, NZ</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Rangipo Desert </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">sits on the North Island Volcanic Plateau, in the centre of the North Island and, despite receiving<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> 1500 - 2500 mm of rainfall per year, it looks like a wild desolate wasteland.......with a raw, stark, harsh beauty all of it's own. Because of a poor soil quality, drying winds and the mass sterilization of seeds during a series of violent eruptions, particularly ignimbrite flows about 20,000 years ago, the vegetation is mainly tussock and snow grasses......while the headwaters of many small streams, which later to turn into large rivers, gouge deep serrated valleys through the unconsolidated ash and pumice rich earth......heavy snowfalls, uncommon in the rest of the island, frequently occurr in winter....and combined with icy, treacherous conditions, the Desert Road......the only sealed road that dissects Rangipo Desert......is often closed in winter. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">The Lord of the Rings films were shot in New Zealand, and the Black Gate of Mordor scenes were shot in the Rangipo Desert in 2000.....</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Desert Road</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">But as we drove through the Desert Road with torrential rain falling as vast silvery sheets, we didn't see any images like those above......all the Angels could see was the road a few metres in front of us, and snatched glimpses of the multi-coloured scoured banks that the road slices through, as we drove past at an almost snail's pace......no snow-capped mountains......no windswept tussock plain......no gorged valleys or dark canyons or shadowy slopes.......just rain and road.....it was a huge disappointment to say the least! And to add insult to injury, just a few days later when Grandpa and Grandma G drove through on their way back to Wellington the weather was clear, fine and sunny, with views to be seen for miles around!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It was still raining as we drove around the lake and into Taupo itself around mid-afternoon .....and continued to do so for the remainder of the night......once at the motel where we were going to rest our heads for the night, we unloaded and stretched ourselves...... after travelling for almost six hours......and then promptly took ourselves off to DeBretts Hot Springs.....an outdoor geothermal hot spring complex with naturally fed mineral hot pools, a water slide, water curtains, spa pool.......set in a lush tropical landscape......it can be quite an exotic setting......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DeBretts Thermal Hot Springs on a Glorious Sunny Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DeBretts Thermal Hot Springs</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">but as it was overcast, still raining, and the steam was rising from the pools shrouding the complex in a mystical haze, it had an eery, otherworldly feel......it was really very odd sitting in delicious bath-warm water with cool raindrops tingling your face.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">While the Angels and I soaked in the healing, mineral rich, muscle relaxing, skin purifying, toxin eliminating, increasing blood circulation waters.......as they are claimed......Grandpa and Grandma G took a little jaunt to find a supermarket and buy ingredients to rustle up a surprise feast for the Angels and I........no small feat in a tiny motel kitchen with barely adequate apparatus and a dodgy hob which became hot.....burning hot.....when the oven was turned on......ouch.....really ouch......it burnt Grandpa's unsuspecting fingers.....all while we relaxed.....again......waiting for our feast to be delivered.......we were so spoilt.....and it was so yummy!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After Little Lad and Little Miss had been settled into bed for the night, Grandpa produced a pile of old photos in the hope of embarrassing the hell out of me.....old photos of years gone by......images of a very much younger me that my Angels had never seen......but in his rush to pack, he hadn't taken the time to check the contents of his pile .......the randomly gathered stack was also littered with plenty of snapshots of a very much younger Grandpa and Grandma G too......in fact, probably more of them than me.....the laugh was therefore well and truly on Dad.....not me......hehehe</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Phew......this has been a rather word-heavy post.....but the next couple of days were a veritable photo-fest frenzy, with tons of natural wonders to keep our trigger-happy fingers popping.......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">-xx-</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><i>NB....none of these photos were taken by me......they were all found on the internet from public information sites</i></span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-27564379487758895712012-02-24T22:12:00.000+00:002012-02-24T22:12:25.066+00:00Rain, games & goodbyes.......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Sadly, not all our days were glorious, blue, sunny affairs.....some were downright miserable .....with temperatures the same as the UK were recording in their winter......10 and 13C....it was supposed to be summer......temperatures should have been in the mid twenties......every day .....but some days, the cloud was so low we couldn't see the top of the surrounding hills......</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low Clouds on the Hills of Whitemans Valley</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and rain......some days there was more than enough rain to refill all the water tanks that we were fast using up....7 people to wash clothes for, to shower, to use the toilet.....we sure got through the water quickly......most people</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">in NZ live in towns and cities where they are on mains water supply......however, for the minority who choose a more rural life.....they must provide their own water supply.....be that from a bore sunk deep in the ground if they are lucky enough to have an underground spring on their land, a freshwater spring, or from rain collected in vast water tanks......a particularly long and dry summer can be a source of immense concern and difficulty if water supplies run low......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">..but thankfully there was plenty of rain to avert a water crisis for us.......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the hills from Big Lad's Room</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Most evenings after Little Lad and Little Miss had gone to bed, us big uns had a cuppa, a piece of yummy cake or scrummy cookies and played a game......monopoly, poker, boat races, squatter ......and something so simple, yet so hilarious.....a real good party game.....you start off with an empty open cereal box placed on the floor, and everyone takes a turn to pick the box up using only their mouth.....no hands or feet to be used....and no hands can touch the ground.... then a small strip is carefully ripped off, or cut from all around the top of the box, thus making the box slightly smaller.....everyone takes a turn to pick up the box again.......if you collapse on the floor, or use your hands and/or feet to assist you in any way, you're out ......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and so it goes on.....with the box getting a little smaller each time.....the winner obviously being the last one to pick up the smallest bit of box......it didn't take too long for us older ones to realise our limitations and back out gracefully before we either embarrassed ourselves dreadfully or worse, got stuck, or did ourselves a mischief.....but for Big Lad and Big Miss, the game was on.....neither one of them wishing to let the other win ......with both being incredibly flexible.....and being arch rivals......this was going to be a hard won competition......Grandpa, Grandma G and myself could not believe it possible as the box got whittled down to just a flat piece of card......surely they would not be able to get this off the floor with only their mouth.......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Miss picking up last piece of flat card</td></tr>
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but get it off the floor, they did......both of them......we had to declare it a tie.....well done to both of them.....and strangely, they both used totally different techniques.....Big Miss used a box split technique, as shown above.....while Big Lad used a front lunge technique .....oh to be that flexible again.....hehehe</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Lad using a front lunge to pick up cereal box</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The evenings spent in this fun and gamely fashion were such a joy.....so pleasurable to spend time and enjoy just being together.....we had laughs.....we had competition.......we had tricksters......we had jokes......we had puzzles.....we simply had good old fashioned fun .......and boy, was it brilliant!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">With our time in Wellington drawing to a close, I felt the need to squeeze in a very important little outing for myself and my Angels.....a visit to my most wonderful Nana and Pop's grave ....I have such lovely, happy memories of time spent with Nana and Pop during my childhood .....and I just wish my Angels could've met them......well, Big Lad did meet Nana.....but he was only six months old, and she was quite lost in her own little world of dementia......Nana and Pop were both so kind, loving and caring......I would love for my Angels to have just such a relationship with Grandpa and Grandma G as I had with my Nana and Pop.......well they have ......but the distance between our homes does make it incredibly difficult. Anyways, I had not been to their grave, although I had been lucky enough to attend both their funerals.....so on a damp, drizzly day, with the Angels loaded into the car, I drove to the cemetery on Akatarawa Road in search of their grave......once we'd found it, I placed some flowers I'd bought on the way, introduced my Angels, and talked openly to Nana and Pop while the Angels listened......and Little Miss asked lots of questions......it was a sad little space in time.....I was thankful for the rain that was streaming down my face.......mingling perfectly with my tears, hopeful that my Angels wouldn't notice.....but they were not fooled.......they were in fact, quiet and really quite reverent while they listened to my ramblings, holding my hand or putting their arms around me to comfort me......they were just the sweetest things.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I kicked myself when I got home and realised that, in my emotional state......both filled with sadness and bursting with pride.....I had forgotten to take a photo to keep with me, of their grave......I consoled myself by taking a photo of a photo which is hanging on Grandma G's "wall of fame"......a photo of Nana and Pop on their wedding day.......</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nana & Pop</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">They both look so handsome, don't you think? I took the time to show my Angels this photo ......and a much more recent one before they died.......when we returned from the grave......so they had some idea of who I had been rambling away to.....to help them piece it all together ......I hope it gave them a little understanding.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After the cemetery, I drove the Angels further up the Akatarawa Road......another long and narrow and twisting road.......to show them where I lived during my teenage years...... throughout our time in NZ we had attempted to show my Angels little glimpses of what, and where my life had been before they came into it to share it with me......to hopefully give them little clues to how and why, I am who I am......and the Akatarawas was another little piece of the puzzle......I really hope it has helped my Angels to get to know me better, despite knowing me all their lives.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Then it was time for packing, packing, packing......we weren't leaving NZ just yet.....but it was time to leave Wellington.....I at least, was thankful that the weather was not at it's best......I would have deeply resented spending time packing......and such a lot of packing was to be done.....if the sun had been shining and begging to be enjoyed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And so it was, that after a couple of weeks we said goodbye to our home from home.....Grandpa and Grandma G's house......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6dC10eZt-nYq8dhnVklAdVYlHX9yxbtBwp_9tNxlVcTSbA-A9s8qXxEpuSK3cDks7lazgw23KjUcBjs2cfaQgr_6IKurGyGFGkN0NDTf0NTXp_AKxJqOzvgt7lupkkXNH1bi9SQN9BT7/s1600/IMG_3049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6dC10eZt-nYq8dhnVklAdVYlHX9yxbtBwp_9tNxlVcTSbA-A9s8qXxEpuSK3cDks7lazgw23KjUcBjs2cfaQgr_6IKurGyGFGkN0NDTf0NTXp_AKxJqOzvgt7lupkkXNH1bi9SQN9BT7/s640/IMG_3049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa & Grandma G's House</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and embarked on a <i>real</i> road trip.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We'd all like to say a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">H U G E</span> thank you to Grandpa and Grandma G for sharing their home with us.....it was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">S U P E R B ! ! ! </span>.........we all appreciated the effort you made to give each of us our own space......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">all the rooms and spaces worked brilliantly for us all .......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and the little touches......like photos of ourselves in our rooms......to make us smile, feel loved, and feel at home.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">-xx-</span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-80715775671023171912012-02-23T22:11:00.000+00:002012-02-24T21:33:39.177+00:00Caterton......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">My very best friend of all times lives in NZ......we've been friends for more years than I care to remember......but her living there......and me living here......does make for a very long distance friendship these days.....we have long phone calls.....reasonably regularly.....and the occasional Skype......but there's nothing as good as being in each other's company...... chatting, cooking, and catching up......so a trip to NZ was never going to be complete without some special time with SA.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So I left Big Lad and Big Miss in the very lovable hands of Grandpa and Grandma G......and took Little Lad and Little Miss on a road trip of sorts over the Rimutakas......a narrow winding road up and over the Rimutaka Ranges......to Caterton, in the Wairarapa where SA lives with her husband B and two children J and K.....they have the most charming piece of land with a cute little cottage sitting in the middle of beautiful gardens they have created themselves, by clearing all the scrubby bush and loads and loads of river stones which they have incorporated into the garden structure......they have retained lots of native trees and bushes and a quite a few gum trees sprinkled through too.....</span><br />
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and they've made several vegetable patches and orchards, which are scattered around, including this delightful cottagey kitchen garden.......<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SA's Cottage Kitchen Garden</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The day we arrived was quite warm and muggy so J and K couldn't wait to take Little Lad and Little Miss to the water hole.....and then J and Little Lad bogey boarded down the water race......</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J and Little Lad Bogey Boarding down the Water Race</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Once Little Lad and Little Miss had acclimatised to the quite chilly water and the "wild swimming" adventure, i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">t was a great way to cool down......heaps of fun was had by all participants.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">While we were there, we also caught up with my friends from years gone by......R and M, and their children M and K.....we've been out of touch for quite some time now, so it was nice to see them and catch up again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We all feasted together......all 11 of us......on the most delicious handmade pizzas that SA whipped up while I stood chatting with her......no, I'm not lazy not helping.....her kitchen is very small, and she wouldn't hear of me standing on her toes getting in the way.....so I was content to stand, chit chatting away, sipping on my scrummy cider followed by a delectable glass of bubbles......it was a most enjoyable way to spend an afternoon which slid easily into evening.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The following day the weather forecast threatened rain, but it was still rather warm......the children hadn't had their fill of water play from the day before, and were delighted to be able to get the waterslides out....after some initial re-manoeuvring to find just the right spot.... to get just the perfect slope......for just the best forward momentum.....the four of them were off.......slip sliding away......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDYkRq6nWu-hxmsMmcZLBdWWvTQEzFJzteTO0OWkliE26Aw0phNvLE_P-rPRgxKI72ePPr1vAmvWA4WrfuNUlSUSzaKKk3HDt5BKx4hSmSYHgQMgeSTp4L7VNTSvRSHXgRtKvs0EslluJ/s1600/IMG_3015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDYkRq6nWu-hxmsMmcZLBdWWvTQEzFJzteTO0OWkliE26Aw0phNvLE_P-rPRgxKI72ePPr1vAmvWA4WrfuNUlSUSzaKKk3HDt5BKx4hSmSYHgQMgeSTp4L7VNTSvRSHXgRtKvs0EslluJ/s640/IMG_3015.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Lad, Little Miss J & K</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Lad & Little Miss</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlQeyTMujsiXSbYItLKifdFvgG8zCdze8sfbFRC_CmiaEaUE-h7-D2cxsOWNbvaEVmhbz-zBcLa5NG6gWZi7BNvBdVJGLBvC2jverav1dC8DXfvgVal_132gJQbEm9npQ7DFdBt42PvBD/s1600/IMG_3016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlQeyTMujsiXSbYItLKifdFvgG8zCdze8sfbFRC_CmiaEaUE-h7-D2cxsOWNbvaEVmhbz-zBcLa5NG6gWZi7BNvBdVJGLBvC2jverav1dC8DXfvgVal_132gJQbEm9npQ7DFdBt42PvBD/s640/IMG_3016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Lad Slip Sliding Away</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Once the excitement of slipping down wet sheets of plastic wore off, the children took themselves and a water sprinkler to the trampoline........and happily bounced themselves silly in and out of the water shower making up all sorts of mysterious games with special rules only they knew......SA and I spent some brief quality time sipping on coffee and chatting......again .....while SA whipped up a couple of Easy Peasy loaves of bread......yum yum.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">All too quickly it was sadly time to round up the Angels.....their clothes and things that had been scattered everywhere.....our lovely </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> presents we had received......and make the return journey over the Rimutakas back to Grandpa's.....it had been the most wonderful thing to have this very precious time with SA......it was so very short......but felt like we'd never been away, separated by 12,000 miles and many years.....may the time come quickly when we can enjoy more happy and comfortable time together in each other's company again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Before we departed Carterton, we stopped at <a href="http://www.harmanandharman.net.nz/index.htm" target="_blank">Harman & Harman</a>.......a most delightful little shop that SA had recently found......she rang the shop in advance to see if they were open...... being a public holiday......and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> was surprised to be told they were......upon our arrival we were greeted by a young lad.....who had obviously answered the phone......he told us his Mum and Dad......whose shop it was.......had taken themselves and their family to the beach for the day......leaving him at home because there wasn't enough room for him.....poor him.....but he had happily opened the shop just for us, as we were passing and would be returning to the UK .....how nice was that? And what a fabulous little shop it was.......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harman & Harman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8SB186C-Uwwy7NRdwQ8Zwg5h6HMKVnwKgEFdgMjFEA5hEi2ffsWeDS33FO7lLN98Kncw8z1wwYfG6PwrgOyQs6O69fHYaurOY6qiRymb-J6a5Xw9J90VyVcbqIjNTZYLQrJWj9jHvK43/s1600/shop7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8SB186C-Uwwy7NRdwQ8Zwg5h6HMKVnwKgEFdgMjFEA5hEi2ffsWeDS33FO7lLN98Kncw8z1wwYfG6PwrgOyQs6O69fHYaurOY6qiRymb-J6a5Xw9J90VyVcbqIjNTZYLQrJWj9jHvK43/s1600/shop7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Harman & Harman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjRtzdZzX-UR15zN4JkSDEO8Zp3SgOyCRDjAhu02IvXam8Azx0dUMtPJP9deTW5NX-1vN3thA_8ODOKERDrPGohXqSKWZH2GM-DJaieLMY006_0B0WBcK15_NeAvMgxv9lDvRli25-PJQ/s1600/tn200x200-lovem.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjRtzdZzX-UR15zN4JkSDEO8Zp3SgOyCRDjAhu02IvXam8Azx0dUMtPJP9deTW5NX-1vN3thA_8ODOKERDrPGohXqSKWZH2GM-DJaieLMY006_0B0WBcK15_NeAvMgxv9lDvRli25-PJQ/s1600/tn200x200-lovem.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Harman & Harman</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After a lovely little peruse at all the gorgeous goodies......and a far amount of hmmming and haaaing......a small amount of money changed hands.....and I was the proud new owner of a prettily embossed pink and white heart hanging from a pretty pink ribbon.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">well, I couldn't leave without a little something......for the young lad's troubles, of course.....opening the shop just for us.....so sweet and accommodating.......it now has pride of place hanging above my bed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Then it was one last stop at Pinehaven Orchards for a most delicious tub of fresh fruit ice-cream made to your very own fresh fruit combination......yummy, yummy, yummy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And while we were away, Big Lad and Big Miss didn't just sit around twiddling their thumbs .....they went ten-pin bowling and out for an Indian....nice......although it wasn't actually .....the food and service were terrible......at least we had yummy pizzas.....hehehe ......and there were driving lessons to be had in the little truck, the tractor, and the quad bikes...... Big Miss decided the No. 8 wire stock fences were in need of a little rearranging, so took out a little section with the quad bike.....a case of a bit too much power and too tight turning and the fence being just a big closer than she anticipated......not to worry.....Grandpa will fix it.....he likes to keep busy and always needs new jobs to occupy him.....haha.....and then just as it started drizzling, a magic carpet ride was enjoyed......Big Lad zooming round the paddock on the quad bike......Big Miss sitting demurely......or rather clinging on for dear life.......to a piece of sacking.......being dragged along behind .....with just the right amount of drizzled rain droplets to provide the perfect lubricity for a most adventurous riding experience......shame I haven't got any photos of that!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We all had a brill couple of days.....and once again, we'd like to convey our most gracious thanks to all those special people that made it possible.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">-xx-</span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-84311806321726398652012-02-21T21:30:00.001+00:002012-02-21T21:30:53.738+00:00Harbour Cruise & Somes Santuary......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">No trip to Wellington would be complete without taking to the water for a cruise around the harbour.....on a gorgeous day there simply is NO better place to be.....we boarded the East by West ferry at Queens Wharf in Wellington's City Centre.........</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and headed out into the open water of the harbour......Oriental Bay is right in the heart of the City Centre.......it is a delightful little beach....very popular in the summer.......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiiAD9eLq9mGrrX1OMAE9pX4xrhIGEckVGCMaYZVQSSoB_jQ0-ytZYQx-IqkVCno4zxuYp9bnsoRcoaYHaf-oBgxWJk7Vc4GTg8yW9jgmcRr1P2g8lFvYdBx8fiVOpjwMGwVqKxzLvb09/s1600/IMG_2937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiiAD9eLq9mGrrX1OMAE9pX4xrhIGEckVGCMaYZVQSSoB_jQ0-ytZYQx-IqkVCno4zxuYp9bnsoRcoaYHaf-oBgxWJk7Vc4GTg8yW9jgmcRr1P2g8lFvYdBx8fiVOpjwMGwVqKxzLvb09/s640/IMG_2937.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oriental Bay, Wellington Harbour</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We skirted around the Miramar peninsular.......past Scorching Bay where we went rock pooling with my cousin SL and his children.......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scorching Bay</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">heading to Worser Bay (on the right).....the far point of land on the left hand side is Pencarrow Head.....where we cycled to just the day before.....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBaMrR09I1hSdUlMrJRxpsdAGwpa7zQmPHzLfjUXnJP0rWnq-9nH1J28r2FJbMyqZjFBiVuRhx6DlvibK4ZCZHxpkvBxls3i8VsZM3D5RbX6EySSAcvFVH4-fx4CUIC0YJ1W76fjeRnk1/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBaMrR09I1hSdUlMrJRxpsdAGwpa7zQmPHzLfjUXnJP0rWnq-9nH1J28r2FJbMyqZjFBiVuRhx6DlvibK4ZCZHxpkvBxls3i8VsZM3D5RbX6EySSAcvFVH4-fx4CUIC0YJ1W76fjeRnk1/s640/IMG_2947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencarrow Head & Worser Bay</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">before heading back across to Days Bay and finally (for us) onto Somes Island.....seemingly PLONKED, in the middle of Wellington's horseshoe harbour......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0fi1WoNJ4dIbgdmCJArk9PLPL6_a1e8gJFJL84JLIwCPF76tIldQQBb29XP8GPw4UMRyhDaOjbReZQL7tsYTorGiMPFGdTH1Of09PeonKs9YEtR5K_9TV02ostNtRu7So0PdWe8FAIhf/s1600/P1000460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0fi1WoNJ4dIbgdmCJArk9PLPL6_a1e8gJFJL84JLIwCPF76tIldQQBb29XP8GPw4UMRyhDaOjbReZQL7tsYTorGiMPFGdTH1Of09PeonKs9YEtR5K_9TV02ostNtRu7So0PdWe8FAIhf/s640/P1000460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somes Island, Wellington Harbour</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Somes Island has been a very important little island in New Zealand's history......in 1860 it was designated for human quarantine purposes, but no facilities were built.....in 1872 the arrival of the <i>England</i> saw sleeping and living quarters hastily constructed after 16 passengers had died onboard due to an outbreak of disease.....any passengers deemed to be fit after six weeks on the island, were able to leave. Over the next 47 years many other vessels had their passengers quarantined on the island due to various diseases like whooping cough, typhoid fever, measles, mumps, influenza, and small pox.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj7RlKhfzpg4Rx6qdQLrOGxwLfJqFbLesxFDQGp3ETqiY5tbWbFTxc0Tboilpw3nlA9ChQuA3cOKVvfoOBn0wmwc1-_OHZeMzj3XCHlr3txe_Jc8WJ-Kk6yiyj7SaT4Pre9h9Xz3Afjxy/s1600/IMG_2960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghj7RlKhfzpg4Rx6qdQLrOGxwLfJqFbLesxFDQGp3ETqiY5tbWbFTxc0Tboilpw3nlA9ChQuA3cOKVvfoOBn0wmwc1-_OHZeMzj3XCHlr3txe_Jc8WJ-Kk6yiyj7SaT4Pre9h9Xz3Afjxy/s400/IMG_2960.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Somes was recognised as an ideal place to also quarantine animals, and in 1889 was formally designated.....in 1893 the newly formed Ministry of Agriculture set up a stock facility..... this prevented diseases such as foot and mouth, swine fever, rabies, blue tongue, and Q fever being introduced into NZ......</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq56WqXptDNkC_SPunTu7gGCjWUVklQ6i54uyoikyylP3Y4NKx7dv1ctkLTN8Z_B872__XQHACJHiYajoxwgAYYZDelN0AxQT471SEIwPr7xVkFchmLAutMhlVMEPXsIaEuZjiYzPFKp0/s1600/IMG_2952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq56WqXptDNkC_SPunTu7gGCjWUVklQ6i54uyoikyylP3Y4NKx7dv1ctkLTN8Z_B872__XQHACJHiYajoxwgAYYZDelN0AxQT471SEIwPr7xVkFchmLAutMhlVMEPXsIaEuZjiYzPFKp0/s640/IMG_2952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The quarantine station closed in 1995 and has recently been opened to the public as a nature<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">reserve......being rodent free, it is being allowed to revert back to its native flora and fauna....it has some amazing birdlife, and the native tuatara has recently been reintroduced to the island.......as soon as you land on the island, you are debriefed.......and your bags have to been searched for any possible pests.......and even seeds.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">After our debriefing and with strict instructions to leave absolutely nothing on the island, we took a gentle stroll up </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 14px;">the central hill where we could see the whole of Wellington Harbour.......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OJNkIBcagS2v2y74bimBGSeEGhXx6rO4QFBGZpZV-Sr8790XS2iqa3xBIX8dC021z_nwI-kb6ZlbNSNAYXMGh5wEwsHul2wUITOK7BDGzUNewt8wsh6zyuGnqbPYPqjGJmD26nhuRVej/s1600/DSCF0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OJNkIBcagS2v2y74bimBGSeEGhXx6rO4QFBGZpZV-Sr8790XS2iqa3xBIX8dC021z_nwI-kb6ZlbNSNAYXMGh5wEwsHul2wUITOK7BDGzUNewt8wsh6zyuGnqbPYPqjGJmD26nhuRVej/s640/DSCF0499.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellington Harbour from Somes Island</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">From this vantage point, we were able to get a better idea of how far we rode our bikes on the coast road to Pencarrow Head the day before.......all along the base of these hills across the water, from the furthest left all the way to the point......wow......that's a long way for little legs......to the far right of the picture is one of NZ's large </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 14px;">inter-island ferries .....although it looks very small in this picture.......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyN4XSWMrCOZ5-HKK4R2B4XQHU0Y01kBs5JWRYEnkHFTI4EwJByqJfYV9bkqUB4elMn5w_acse1NN4mI8TzLHejRcvINTuX8S7PvA3VKJMFWvRFM1oaeWM2vtSZ85FguhVHYwF2g13o18W/s1600/P1000487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyN4XSWMrCOZ5-HKK4R2B4XQHU0Y01kBs5JWRYEnkHFTI4EwJByqJfYV9bkqUB4elMn5w_acse1NN4mI8TzLHejRcvINTuX8S7PvA3VKJMFWvRFM1oaeWM2vtSZ85FguhVHYwF2g13o18W/s640/P1000487.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellington Harbour from Somes Island</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After a wander around the island admiring the spectacular views......and a snack stop......we headed back to the wharf......no, not this old unstable vintage one......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8otqbS97cUdO_cRjVPPya9-5r6JiQpSynQOZcvQP7bh_NQHHQu7fAkSQrd119m56laC-DxtjHHCcXUUwjJHkhLQHui17iXCn-u4k4Gy4QVTYYMJVswpq9eTcGfST3YrB1xjNi1iJgZyX/s1600/IMG_2963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8otqbS97cUdO_cRjVPPya9-5r6JiQpSynQOZcvQP7bh_NQHHQu7fAkSQrd119m56laC-DxtjHHCcXUUwjJHkhLQHui17iXCn-u4k4Gy4QVTYYMJVswpq9eTcGfST3YrB1xjNi1iJgZyX/s640/IMG_2963.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Petone & the Hutt Valley</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">a new modern one just along.....to be collected by the ferry.......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV2PYABVhZiiCo0IXl7rkVnhf3UVVAamkxf2Hb5JYRjMKAk2e-oq2MfB3yQc0zPAUQjNmbGKZqvwae7ZfPy9WzXDJ67Y8GYaG8eEM5gsP8dzNC5SwsRjQu7rBB4qdRC1ikaodqpTTJZ0u/s1600/IMG_2964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV2PYABVhZiiCo0IXl7rkVnhf3UVVAamkxf2Hb5JYRjMKAk2e-oq2MfB3yQc0zPAUQjNmbGKZqvwae7ZfPy9WzXDJ67Y8GYaG8eEM5gsP8dzNC5SwsRjQu7rBB4qdRC1ikaodqpTTJZ0u/s640/IMG_2964.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East by West Ferry</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and taken back to Queens Wharf in Wellington City Centre......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgj-JvAG6mzGq7MQ45ke1xa5tYPVQOgVIIB1cWTW6um4CePQ4dd4aHl1sprcrhLCFQjhiKvhMf62NvXEqkOvU25F0uneQFMfjGqgj2J6UTqUiI7BAeS3nEf0t-nc3Y6Yvr8ifgT4dV_Te/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMgj-JvAG6mzGq7MQ45ke1xa5tYPVQOgVIIB1cWTW6um4CePQ4dd4aHl1sprcrhLCFQjhiKvhMf62NvXEqkOvU25F0uneQFMfjGqgj2J6UTqUiI7BAeS3nEf0t-nc3Y6Yvr8ifgT4dV_Te/s640/IMG_2969.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queens Wharf, Wellington</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Queens Wharf is quite a happenin' place in the City Centre......loads of bars and restaurants to refresh and refuel at......overlooking the harbour......especially on a gloriously sunny day.....but glorious day as it was, we were not tempted to stop on this occasion......we had other plans already booked.......</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So zippity-do-day, we zoomed off home for a quick dinner and bathtime/bedtime routines for the Little Lad and Little Miss......and then Grandpa and I zipped off down the road with Big Lad and Big Miss to K and D's for a surprise spot of clay bird shooting in the quickly falling dusk......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid93n8TgkCJ9mrHLDaIIw_9_MfY9u3Pcq4euYSP-UQWBZuyXC3touttYHsoOAkYi8hAqoiUSpUrZ3dMYi_f3wE5RJmAHXCSCXJfuvJP6ndp9Wd7Ymq6DdsdZxJamMHKGLWVsWW4bCtroyB/s1600/P1000509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid93n8TgkCJ9mrHLDaIIw_9_MfY9u3Pcq4euYSP-UQWBZuyXC3touttYHsoOAkYi8hAqoiUSpUrZ3dMYi_f3wE5RJmAHXCSCXJfuvJP6ndp9Wd7Ymq6DdsdZxJamMHKGLWVsWW4bCtroyB/s640/P1000509.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Lad Clay Bird Shooting - Big Miss Pulling</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Wow it's hard......Big Lad, Big Miss and I had never tried this before.......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">with us all taking turns, and the light fading fast, we only had a taster........so</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> I'm sure we'd like another go sometime.......unfortunately Big Miss didn't manage to hit any of her "birds".......I managed to clip one of mine.......but Big Lad smashed 3 out of 4 "birds".......an absolute superb shot......and it was almost dark for his last one! Thanks K and D for letting us have a go....it was brill!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Another fab day all round.....thanks everyone!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">-xx-</span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-69479862243942977712012-02-08T11:12:00.000+00:002012-02-08T11:12:36.941+00:00Boxing Day.....<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Boxing Day dawned another glorious, sunny day.....but there was no rest for the wicked...... Grandpa's sheep needed to be rounded up......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mtkOswqk0b_z6fzVKI9dvbrZDAzVr5IHIyR3soLz5dsndcHXIbe0I4N0jxJz_65ZEfqyzreseL4Kq_ieElWitfIrFl7GYtBpv-BRxAaE8oyyKeU0dwiHqkc7lMysJpc-04oEAAvA01pd/s1600/DSCF0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2mtkOswqk0b_z6fzVKI9dvbrZDAzVr5IHIyR3soLz5dsndcHXIbe0I4N0jxJz_65ZEfqyzreseL4Kq_ieElWitfIrFl7GYtBpv-BRxAaE8oyyKeU0dwiHqkc7lMysJpc-04oEAAvA01pd/s640/DSCF0434.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 11px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Grandpa's Sheep</td></tr>
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so the lambs could be crutched......that is, their bottoms sheared so they don't get flyblown ......when flies lay eggs on the sheep's dags, and then the maggot infestation eat the sheep's flesh....totally yuk, yuk, yuk......so absolutely essential to crutch the little lambs..... especially in the warm summer weather......isn't farming life just delightful?......</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa Crutching</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Once that essential job was done, it was time to pack up a picnic, load up the bikes, and head for the hills......a gently enduring....that is, gentle for the Big Ones, enduring for the Little Ones......bike ride round the coast road to Pencarrow Head was now the order of the day......there was much to take, so everyone had to carry a backpack stuffed full with something for our lunch/dinner on the beach.....and warm clothes in case in got chilly ......Pencarrow Head is one side of the gateway......or one tip of the horseshoe......that creates Wellington Harbour......so is very exposed to winds, especially southerlies.....even Little Miss carried a bumbag while seated on her luxury "tandem" type bike pulled along by Grandpa.......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa "towing" Little Miss</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Grandpa, Grandma G, Little Miss and myself stopped a little short of the lighthouse...... hopeful of being more sheltered slightly back from the exposed tip.....and made camp......while Big Lad, Little Lad, Big Miss, K and D rode the extra way to take some stunning photos......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl75mdoCXh3idGSf0JwgLL4Hsm7wM84F8eNLHIYqvWwh9j8uDqUmHFdihxACQHeNDZ5rJeTiRSH4aw1Kf9rZ47R9uDyv2o-LhJxwC7o2HdXaDat7fR4WFHA_O0Oudetx8I20ZvURCpqEn/s1600/DSCF0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl75mdoCXh3idGSf0JwgLL4Hsm7wM84F8eNLHIYqvWwh9j8uDqUmHFdihxACQHeNDZ5rJeTiRSH4aw1Kf9rZ47R9uDyv2o-LhJxwC7o2HdXaDat7fR4WFHA_O0Oudetx8I20ZvURCpqEn/s640/DSCF0462.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencarrow Head Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">As it's so exposed, it's understandably quite barren.....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighthouse at Pencarrow Head</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;">On Boxing Day, with the sun shining, it was incredibly picturesque.....but don't let that fool you......come a full-on southerly storm.....and this place is very bleak indeed.......in fact, unlike today, back in 1968 t<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">he <i>Wahine,</i> an inter-island ferry designed and built specifically for the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">by Fairfields Ltd Shipbuilders in Glasgow, Scotland foundered on Barrett Reef at the entrance to the harbour, and eventually capsized when </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">two violent storms merged over Wellington, creating a single extratropical cyclone storm that was the worst recorded in New Zealand's history.......Cyclone Giselle was heading south ......it hit Wellington at the same time as another storm which had driven up the West Coast of the South Island from Antarctica.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 9px;">.....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> the winds in Wellington were the strongest ever recorded ......a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">s the storms hit Wellington harbour, the <i>Wahine</i> was making her way past the Cook Strait on the last leg of her overnight journey to Wellington from Lyttleton near Christchurch in the South Island. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Of the 610 passengers and 123 crew on board, 53 people died.......making it one of the better known maritime disasters in New Zealand's history.......so, history lesson over......phew, you say......and today, all four Angels are enjoying a spot of beach combing ......marvelling at all the different shells.....</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIN-mCSuPp8nn0kyvWVWCM20JckOG3Zhv2IvsCsUySEuRsa5dUX1ULhRwQwU3PETPSWs-pYKaDWbL1WEIwLUAyMiEx9f0BsbPdaGjvqiBDHXs3qlCEfn-D919rkPZ1UTRvmvkTk8LlaY5/s1600/IMG_2907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIN-mCSuPp8nn0kyvWVWCM20JckOG3Zhv2IvsCsUySEuRsa5dUX1ULhRwQwU3PETPSWs-pYKaDWbL1WEIwLUAyMiEx9f0BsbPdaGjvqiBDHXs3qlCEfn-D919rkPZ1UTRvmvkTk8LlaY5/s640/IMG_2907.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">if they were in just the same spot back on 10 April 1968 and looked up from their search, they would have seen the <i>Wahine</i> listing on it's side in the storm.....</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wahine</i> Sinking - 10 April 1968</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Thankfully this was not the scene today....a gloriously, warm, tranquil day......just perfect for a little teatime treat on the beach.......the Angels collected some driftwood........ Grandpa made a little campfire......he was very naughty.....he shouldn't have because of the fire risk.....but he WAS very careful......we</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> boiled a pot of fresh sea water to cook some saveloys......pink skinned sausages.....to be enjoyed smothered in tomato sauce and wrapped in blankets of bread......together with some bacon and egg pie, freshly made by Grandma G before we left home.......and all washed down with</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> a welcome cuppa made from water boiled in a Thermette.....storm kettle to the Brits.......yum, yum, yum.......simply the best beach grub going......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Tummies full, the Angels took some time to relax before their long bike ride back to the car ......while the grown-ups cleared everything away back into the backpacks.....they were going to be a little lighter on the way back, now that we'd eaten all the tasty treats.....nothing was left to show we'd been there....leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos ......is a good motto to live by......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Lad Basking in the Sunshine</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">On a totally cloudless day, it is easy to see the South Island from here.....although despite the light, wispy clouds, you can still just make out hills in the South Island......</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the South Island</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We'd ridden the long and winding road out to the farthest point you can see....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and now we were riding the long and winding gravel coast road home....well, not quite home.....back to the car at least....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It was hard going on the way back.....no southerly today to blow us back to the car.....instead a headwind to hamper and slow our return.....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa, Little Miss & Grandma G</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Angels managed superbly on their bikes, despite Little Lad coming a cropper in a nose to tail pile up right at the start........gravel and brakes and riding in a bunch take some getting used to......it was a long way there......and even longer back.....but everyone made it......Little Miss didn't even seem tired, having been towed along by Grandpa.....Little Lad, on the other hand was totally knackered, and quite prepared to sleep it off in the boot of the car......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuckered Out Little Lad</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The housing architecture in NZ is a real mixture.....most homes are stand alone, with large gardens or 'sections' .....because space has never been an issue here.....mostly made of wood, not much brick.....some new modern designs with huge windows of glass....loads of 1930's, 40's, and 50's state.....council.....houses.....mostly bungalow styles with only new modern ones having a second, or maybe third level....... none that are really, really old, as in a few hundred years.....but quite a few Victorian villas and charmingly restored colonial cottages like this cute little one.......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The villas and cottages are my favourites, and I'd seen plenty of beautifully restored examples, but I always seemed to be driving in a car, so never managed to snap a photo......but on our way home from our coastal bike ride we stopped in Petone looking for somewhere to buy an ice cream for dessert......and here, in the middle of the main street.....which is very rare actually......I spotted this charming little cottage.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage in Jackson Street, Petone</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Just along from the cottage is this delightfully renovated police station and jail......</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renovated Police Station & Jail, Petone</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and further along still is Te Puna Wai Ora (Spring of Life)......a large granite water feature where anyone can come and collect the free pure artesian drinking water which originates several kilometres up the Hutt River.....the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 20px;">water enters the artesian aquifer (layers of sand, gravel and boulders locked in by clay and silt) and is naturally filtered through the alluvial gravels and sands of the Hutt Valley over several years before reaching Petone and flowing out to sea .....some of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; line-height: 20px;">water is drawn into Te Puna Wai Ora.......it is free from micro-organisms and organic substances, and is perfectly safe to drink in its natural form because it has been naturally filtered in its long journey through the aquifer.......and it was just delicious.......</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Te Puna Wai Ora (Spring of Life)</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Jackson Street....the main street in Petone......has been totally revitalised in recent years, and a special "Walk of Champions" has been laid.....commemorative plaques.....similar in concept to Hollywood Stars Walk of Fame.....have been set into the footpath to acknowledge Petone's sporting heroes......on our stroll looking for ice cream, we came across a very special "Walk of Champions" plaque......for a very special person......Grandpa.....for his participation in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, and the 1978 Commonwealth Games where he competed in cycling.....it was a very proud moment for me and my Angels to see that my Dad had been recognised in this way.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Ice creams were eventually found at Macdonalds...of all places.....actually the only place that was open on Boxing Day evening.....and enjoyed by all......then it was home to bed for the Little Ones......it had been an extremely long and tiring day for them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It was not however, the end of the day for the Big Ones......Grandpa snuck out with Big Lad on a little jaunt with a .22 rifle......now I know some people do not agree with hunting.....but rabbits, hares and possums cause havoc on NZ farms.......so evening shooting jaunts are quite common place in farming areas......Big Lad had had his first try with a gun......an air rifle......at a target the other day, but it turned out the sights were broken, so there were no bulls eyes achieved......he'd never, ever fired a .22 rifle when he set off with Grandpa ......a hare was spotted in the fading dusk light.....it was tracked as it bounded through the paddock......a shot rang out.....and Big Lad had bagged his hare with his very first shot ......what a crack marksman, or what!!!......and he was soooo very proud of himself.......</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Lad's Hare</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Wow.....this has been a most epic post.....it was a most epic day.....full to the brim with excitement, fun, moments of proudness, and family togetherness......good times!!!</span><br />
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-1815373849521333372012-02-06T21:23:00.000+00:002012-02-06T21:23:09.671+00:00Hilltop views....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">My Dad and his wife G are extremely lucky to live in a wonderfully rural and quiet valley...... that is actually only 10 minutes from suburbia on the other side of the hill. After all the full-on effort and excitement of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Day, Grandma G was in need of a little quiet snoooooze time.......sooooo Dad and I took the Angels on a little tramp.......as it's called in NZ.....hike to the Brits......up through the native bush of the hill at the back of Dad's.........</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">it has a real jurassic, prehistoric feel about it......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">to admire the 360 view of both valleys.....the rural, farming valley on Dad's side.......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and the suburban Upper and Lower Hutt valleys on the other.......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It's such a superb place to live.....the best of both worlds......peaceful countryside.......with the creature comforts and necessities of town only 10 minutes away.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-82168589461730669662012-02-03T21:00:00.000+00:002012-02-03T21:00:53.113+00:00Santa has been......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Day....oh joy.....oh happiness......presents......it's true then, Santa can and does find you, if you're not at home. A few days earlier though, the Angels went out on the farm on a very special mission with Grandpa, Grandma G, K & D....a search party even.....to find THE most perfect </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> tree.....they looked at this one, wondered about that one, checked all around this one, measured that one.....until it was declared THIS ONE was THE</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">P E R F E C T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> one......it was cut it down......transported ever so carefully on the tractor and trailer back to the house.....they checked it's size again....not too tall, not too short......just </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">PERFECT</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......wedged it securely in a bucket of water laced with a special tonic concoction of aspirin and sugar......to keep it healthy don't you know......and finally, with Grandma G overseeing proceedings, the Angels decorated their </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">P E R F E C T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">tree.....their very special mission was complete.......and now Santa had been and left the finishing touches......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqIoPyoOdz0LLMhyHxCQRhRUkHEwztYXge-Ewuc2oHv9L7oC19GhjwmatgNTr_OmWG4xCRXBw08KtDJh8g-Mc8sut4fSkQ7iKYRjkFje08asR9Q9bAWih8CRCrbPxWtlQsxL6bYr7GpXu/s1600/IMG_2886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqIoPyoOdz0LLMhyHxCQRhRUkHEwztYXge-Ewuc2oHv9L7oC19GhjwmatgNTr_OmWG4xCRXBw08KtDJh8g-Mc8sut4fSkQ7iKYRjkFje08asR9Q9bAWih8CRCrbPxWtlQsxL6bYr7GpXu/s640/IMG_2886.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radiata Pine - Traditional NZ Christmas Tree</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And here is T H E man himself......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Santa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ_uQ8gGokNKf77uoZA6hjWu8T20pyjrnF8UUccHiJdE5S-_eajpbvfffgDUc-bkTdV-Umbf1saiJ20j_e6r_t_WByhIMrPq9tFTij4vP3m54D-A_fGTN2pnzm1C2cTRFF5I83fEuZyUv/s1600/IMG_2888+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ_uQ8gGokNKf77uoZA6hjWu8T20pyjrnF8UUccHiJdE5S-_eajpbvfffgDUc-bkTdV-Umbf1saiJ20j_e6r_t_WByhIMrPq9tFTij4vP3m54D-A_fGTN2pnzm1C2cTRFF5I83fEuZyUv/s400/IMG_2888+-+Version+2.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">looking rather slim on it, it has to be said......must be that long and very tiring journey all the way from the North Pole! Notice the dubious looking refreshment in his hand......looks can be deceiving though.....it is actually a Simpsons can filled with sweeties......hehehe.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Stockings were opened.....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">the gazebo and sun umbrellas were set out.......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">dinner was prepared and set to cook............at last, it was time for a glass or two of bubbles, and some serious present opening......it was a big affair compared to what we usually have......there were many of us......Big Lad, Little Lad, Big Miss, Little Miss, Grandpa and Grandma G, and two of my sisters.....K and her husband D, and B, her husband J, and their children H & C, and of course, Me....wow that tots up to 13.....that makes for manic present opening all at once!!!....and t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">here were presents galore.....and lots and lots of sweeties.....some very spoilt people if the truth be told!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Getting hungry by now you say.....absolutely......dinner was ready to be devoured......it was a full on cooked </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> roast with trimmings......followed by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">pudding, trifle and the obligatory NZ pavlova with lashings of cream, fresh fruit salad, and ice cream.....all enjoyed outside under the welcome shade of the gazebo and sun umbrellas.....it was 28C after all......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf62wzrFvqPbFIZ5RDt_f6yAknfblIewiU93_fsHklhyphenhyphenb2Lf5ExVWRRyQJgNH7wKJif34w6RGEe5qH_XInfk9FP_Kvlka9H9RL7TDN2GO7mHYkqOrqhjvfew1vwghWHvlUKLvaI0OAg9I/s1600/IMG_2894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf62wzrFvqPbFIZ5RDt_f6yAknfblIewiU93_fsHklhyphenhyphenb2Lf5ExVWRRyQJgNH7wKJif34w6RGEe5qH_XInfk9FP_Kvlka9H9RL7TDN2GO7mHYkqOrqhjvfew1vwghWHvlUKLvaI0OAg9I/s640/IMG_2894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day Dinner Gazebo</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Yep, the weather really got it right for the day......in fact, it was the best </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> day weather for 37 years! Usually there is rain hanging around, and New Zealanders long for a sunny </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> day like we here in Britain long for a white </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Absolutely glorious it was.......but I have to say......very, very different to how a winter </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">feels.....in fact, it felt quite odd without the gorgeous, gentle, glow of candles and fairy lights, without a roaring fire to warm your cockles (not that we are lucky enough to have a real fire in the UK), without the aromas of orange, cinnamon, and clove, without warm mince pies and mulled wine, without that feeling you get of being all cosy and rosy inside, while it's cold and hopefully snowy, outside......don't get me wrong......it was splendid to enjoy again after so many years, and for the Angels to experience for the first time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.......but there is just something sooooo right about a winter </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.......and if we are ever lucky enough to return to NZ to live, I would most definitely have to have an additional mini </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> celebration on winter solstice day, just to enjoy those magical feelings of a winter </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">A H U G E thank you to everyone for making our summer </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> celebration so wonderfully different!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">-xx-</span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-42065476723307127602012-02-02T22:31:00.000+00:002012-02-02T22:31:20.015+00:00Birthday, Biting & Bike Ride......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">One special Lad was very lucky to celebrate his birthday while we were in New Zealand....for someone who usually has his birthday in the depths of winter, it was a real treat to enjoy a summer birthday....and the weather was on the improve with a more summery temperature of 24C. The other Angels did a wee bit of birthday shopping in the morning and managed to purchase some of the most wanted items on Little Lad's list.....and then a spot of souvenir shopping for some NZ mementos with money the Angels were given by our most wonderful friend M. A BBQ tea was had.....as was to be expected for a summer birthday celebration.....and then cake.....but the cake was scoffed so quickly, it was gone before you could say "snap a photo".....so I've no cake photos to share.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">With the weather steadily improving, it gave us the opportunity to have another try at bagging an eel......and this time they were biting.....Big Lad got bite, after bite, after bite.....but each time, the eel was clever enough not to take a big gulp around the hook......escaping back to his black hole until the line was lowered for him again. Big Miss, on the other hand had a little more success.....a rather large eel hooked.....but with a little too much fight for her to handle.....luckily, Grandpa was on hand to reel it safely in......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8bQKaNwDRSLQsDL4FrBfpRBwwcVUaY9vdPc4MJalwSBJFdMIi67hDdYsePn794t_M0vEfSdu5ZbC6_tii9_e-DNMo2d87vEYGNUBu4sL6O3f5l4CeSlkP-kajnu4AIjf4qlDfq-bX5n2/s1600/IMG_2847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8bQKaNwDRSLQsDL4FrBfpRBwwcVUaY9vdPc4MJalwSBJFdMIi67hDdYsePn794t_M0vEfSdu5ZbC6_tii9_e-DNMo2d87vEYGNUBu4sL6O3f5l4CeSlkP-kajnu4AIjf4qlDfq-bX5n2/s640/IMG_2847.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Miss's Eel</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Of course, once we had taken photos of the proud moment, including Big Miss holding the slippery, slimy creature with her bare hands......yuk, yuk, yuk.......it was released safely back into the creek to live another day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> Eve dawned a gorgeous day......just perfect for a short bike riding excursion.....we had planned to do a couple of long bike rides, but before we could ride off into the sunset, we needed to know everyone would be comfortable on their bikes, and could handle the distance..... so we took a little ride down to my sister K's place.....her and her husband D have a lovely house with a few acres, and a few sheep. When we arrived, K had lovely cool refreshing drinks and freshly baked muesli-type bars.....yum.......ready and waiting for us. The Angels decided they'd like to explore, so took a walk up the hill to get a better view.....they walked to where the grass (light green) meets the tree-line.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K & D's Hill</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">While the Angels were admiring the view, I was enjoying the most delicious frappuccino I've ever tasted.....and I mean ever!.......which K whipped up with her whizz bang frothy coffee machine........yum, yum, yum.....thanks K.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K & D's House from their Hill</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">All refreshed and recovered from our little bike jaunt down the road, we saddled up and headed for home......everyone had </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">happily </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">adjusted to their bikes, having found just the right riding position, were competent with their gears and brakes, and were now ready for a bigger, longer, more gruelling biking challenge.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">-xx-</span></div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-60855530558033375312012-02-01T20:53:00.000+00:002012-02-01T20:53:54.642+00:00Scorching Bay.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I've said it before, and I'm saying it again.....it was so great to spend time with family......seeing my cousins again though was also a rather odd experience.....the last time I saw my cousins, they were single or just newly married......now they were mothers and fathers with children ranging from 6-14 years.....no different from myself really ......except that I had missed the in-between years when they were pregnant, with newborns, and then toddlers.....so there's been this big leap, and now I was seeing them as fully-fledged, totally comfortable with their role, parents of young people.....do you get my drift....sorry, I probably haven't explained this too well....but this weird feeling is sooo hard to explain.....perhaps my cousins felt the same about me too?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Anyway, we were lucky enough to spend an afternoon with me ol' cousie SL, his lovely wife W, and their two great kids T and M.....we took a short drive from their house to a wonderful little bay.....Scorching Bay.....usually on a brilliant sunny day, this bay definitely lives up to it's name, but unfortunately, the weather was not at it's best, with a brisk southerly wind coming straight up from the Antarctic, through Cook Strait, and directly into the bay...but the sun was shining and we were all desperate to get some beach time in......</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FgwEO-Id1jnTBZAXRCUA-RRoD-DVVULJUEKjsHqin05rLrvGnHuA-0JLgzj7F6rYpMn4DfgA2K8qLyWua0dF_eBpJU2qFcC8nP-wYyECWIP1Pu7Z_mw8Ehgc_euP0kJ5OquxPqgTt9FW/s1600/IMG_2830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FgwEO-Id1jnTBZAXRCUA-RRoD-DVVULJUEKjsHqin05rLrvGnHuA-0JLgzj7F6rYpMn4DfgA2K8qLyWua0dF_eBpJU2qFcC8nP-wYyECWIP1Pu7Z_mw8Ehgc_euP0kJ5OquxPqgTt9FW/s640/IMG_2830.jpg" width="473" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lads</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">At each end of the bay there are little rock outcrops, perfect for a little rock pooling....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8eBaLCGh1fF5hhvaYaNFB-EZDImKGIhK2SIwjYp_O16HTvN8xMSU7QPeId-ZQ-gp62vDxA-n5jN1f12IIsDGQ0CfdVkt5jAAouu7Jn8VnSYnA9TEh2GjJ2WESoL-i4YktxbvjBMckZNc/s1600/IMG_2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8eBaLCGh1fF5hhvaYaNFB-EZDImKGIhK2SIwjYp_O16HTvN8xMSU7QPeId-ZQ-gp62vDxA-n5jN1f12IIsDGQ0CfdVkt5jAAouu7Jn8VnSYnA9TEh2GjJ2WESoL-i4YktxbvjBMckZNc/s400/IMG_2836.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starfish found by the Misses<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLO3NanbtT3PxOtXNqa6a53hswXuLNSvGlE2YJE4UGegd4_KbGdkhntupYr-udtg0eoSaB15l9UkNYuE7owSF9is4v8OCfWNHcCT2LUA0C6NQpoaUv4CtXpJACH6hB4OB-t3PaqZzlMKEV/s1600/DSCF0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLO3NanbtT3PxOtXNqa6a53hswXuLNSvGlE2YJE4UGegd4_KbGdkhntupYr-udtg0eoSaB15l9UkNYuE7owSF9is4v8OCfWNHcCT2LUA0C6NQpoaUv4CtXpJACH6hB4OB-t3PaqZzlMKEV/s400/DSCF0399.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Anemone<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The view of the harbour is superb from the surrounding hills, and plenty of people are lucky enough to live there, some seemingly right on the edge of the beach.....just cross the road, and the beach is on your doorstep, quite literally.....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquLCOAw9r7gMkDDpeW4aXyrVLH1VSC__SHzv5npjhBtQEYAIcy1RCxxKpNnuQMgkqT-6Gd_NNdG48q53vXmuvFAic702ypo_oH-uJ2v_yBDisB8RtnNBRbLYCQfrXipegpSCWpv3cecss/s1600/DSCF0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquLCOAw9r7gMkDDpeW4aXyrVLH1VSC__SHzv5npjhBtQEYAIcy1RCxxKpNnuQMgkqT-6Gd_NNdG48q53vXmuvFAic702ypo_oH-uJ2v_yBDisB8RtnNBRbLYCQfrXipegpSCWpv3cecss/s640/DSCF0409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scorching Bay, Wellington<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Phew....I've just been trying to figure out what my children are to my cousin's children .....second cousins, once removed.....I think.....anyway, friends were firmly made.....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDanY1GMWH4ubFbzVpKv5sfn_MY8zbSldkZEJM1MZihnGZEO5sOZY96St35O01_4nYIrfsFDfR202fsSEYWGQF6cChZsVTNEUHxqVALvglhYtIOMfuSIELEBhzXpikg8tKZcu6PVpJXHuj/s1600/DSCF0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDanY1GMWH4ubFbzVpKv5sfn_MY8zbSldkZEJM1MZihnGZEO5sOZY96St35O01_4nYIrfsFDfR202fsSEYWGQF6cChZsVTNEUHxqVALvglhYtIOMfuSIELEBhzXpikg8tKZcu6PVpJXHuj/s400/DSCF0412.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M and Little Miss</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Angels didn't know it at the time, but a few days later they were to be </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">riding their bikes along the gravel coast road, across the water and directly opposite Scorching Bay ....if Little Miss turned around, she would see where she was going to be riding....all the way along to the point.....Pencarrow Head.....through the little gap between the hills is the harbour exit/entrance, towards the South Island..</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28H6wQJ_0yuVmxzQTjfMS144bbT8WTMpM4qTfnSmu_zWadK6Yo2bAmwdXefoOXiDpSi2f1gCp9StrgDOMVobPP57RmtXejrAQKjvfR49S9ITtnBV49gO9rNZM-JonwMCFWNJvj9LbDuvV/s1600/2011-12-21+17.16.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28H6wQJ_0yuVmxzQTjfMS144bbT8WTMpM4qTfnSmu_zWadK6Yo2bAmwdXefoOXiDpSi2f1gCp9StrgDOMVobPP57RmtXejrAQKjvfR49S9ITtnBV49gO9rNZM-JonwMCFWNJvj9LbDuvV/s640/2011-12-21+17.16.58.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Miss</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And this is looking back into Scorching Bay from out on the water......taken on a different day.....on a different excursion.....more about that later......</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFonUSPjZTYWQ0oBvt4fSndrxUPRuQIp8t7KGb5OqByVi7dvgAlmABiSpGtyEi8ZlUK6FclAbvf9B5Q6LDSpKULD1lYSmsmACIaQn4Vyq1HrUGuHFOrJvLJb4sYQ4sU_ukuMufA7WI3ZA/s1600/IMG_2946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFonUSPjZTYWQ0oBvt4fSndrxUPRuQIp8t7KGb5OqByVi7dvgAlmABiSpGtyEi8ZlUK6FclAbvf9B5Q6LDSpKULD1lYSmsmACIaQn4Vyq1HrUGuHFOrJvLJb4sYQ4sU_ukuMufA7WI3ZA/s640/IMG_2946.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scorching Bay, Wellington</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After a most delightful BBQ dinner back at the cousies' house, we drove into the city centre...... </span><br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLZmqhaXXuhqzjAtdhhE16B4q_l-ppD_aYdWM8UczuGDFnAeM5sN_FnblSWKy282Yew8cH3CpJYjtzULWnLz8NGjt7kYd-Q33Mh2wu2b2BjzzlMW0RgL7F3p4xpnoXCE4bF8UYhLHDOXK/s1600/DSCF0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLZmqhaXXuhqzjAtdhhE16B4q_l-ppD_aYdWM8UczuGDFnAeM5sN_FnblSWKy282Yew8cH3CpJYjtzULWnLz8NGjt7kYd-Q33Mh2wu2b2BjzzlMW0RgL7F3p4xpnoXCE4bF8UYhLHDOXK/s640/DSCF0424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellington Harbour & City Centre at Dusk</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">to oooh and ahhh over the giant Telecom </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> tree made entirely of lights....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIdzmegJ0s8q10z6s7ifFtoNtv7t7haQBmQisJHjUw5CssNTH_A5GVcUYk8zMUDesf9YNHBoujdAgFBoPQS7YSTfJqET1muaFAVImkWeMGgVJeEXgMO4X8jADTPt6S1E7QIg5_SeFw-08/s1600/DSCF0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIdzmegJ0s8q10z6s7ifFtoNtv7t7haQBmQisJHjUw5CssNTH_A5GVcUYk8zMUDesf9YNHBoujdAgFBoPQS7YSTfJqET1muaFAVImkWeMGgVJeEXgMO4X8jADTPt6S1E7QIg5_SeFw-08/s400/DSCF0427.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The light sequences continually change, with background music to keep you bopping, jiving, or just humming along......</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9KOwPSPYRsAR54c5jVbquwth9yZOLq27Z7ZjmZE7V4-KROARi6z_7E7kjdZLzZ75S7rOd8hMciQyq5VKFmdVoeCiPruuwbMvsINdT6hM612L1B1A7H-wMjwjxireWIMD-gfAa1POS216/s1600/DSCF0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9KOwPSPYRsAR54c5jVbquwth9yZOLq27Z7ZjmZE7V4-KROARi6z_7E7kjdZLzZ75S7rOd8hMciQyq5VKFmdVoeCiPruuwbMvsINdT6hM612L1B1A7H-wMjwjxireWIMD-gfAa1POS216/s640/DSCF0430.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">There are loads of beanbags strewn all around the base of the tree for you to pull up a pew, settle yourself down, make yourself comfortable, lie back.......and enjoy the light show.....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbUjZzU5dIHX7hYL4D_yYUKjP7kO9mLIb8OorsThDL1cC-rES2XBKUmWKdlhdo8wiWsUQYUCbr8cR8jBrdav1wVw550L5lyRUjxyGYSRdKr_RIkTae-_IecuUqOVZm3PLz9iXi4IPhrQv/s1600/DSCF0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbUjZzU5dIHX7hYL4D_yYUKjP7kO9mLIb8OorsThDL1cC-rES2XBKUmWKdlhdo8wiWsUQYUCbr8cR8jBrdav1wVw550L5lyRUjxyGYSRdKr_RIkTae-_IecuUqOVZm3PLz9iXi4IPhrQv/s640/DSCF0431.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">You could hang out on the beanbags for as long as you liked......and then just give them up for whoever else wanted to lie back and marvel at this somewhat unusual spectacle .......you could even stand in a queue at several specially placed telephone boxes and call the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">B I G</span> man himself......</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">SANTA</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">......to tell him if you'd been naughty or nice......of course, we'd all been very nice.....well, we were in New Zealand weren't we, so we must've been very, very nice...and delightfully, it was all FREE!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Another fab day had by all......thanks cousies!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">x</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">x</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">-</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-57323097329259304992012-01-31T18:59:00.000+00:002012-01-31T19:01:16.623+00:00Native flora and fauna....<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We were given a most useful and interesting </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> present.....a family entry ticket to Zealandia.....a very special nature sanctuary right in the centre of Wellington..... there are only a few creatures kept in cages.....just these few Green Gekos, and a small clutch of baby tuataras to prevent them being eaten by the bigger ones.....instead, there is a very special predator </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">perimeter </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">f</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">ence to keep out the unwanted.....primarily rats, cats and stoats.....while inside all manner of native birds, insects, and animals roam totally free. There are even kiwis roaming free, but as these are nocturnal birds, you need to go on a special night time excursion, so alas, we missed out on seeing these little treasures running live. But we saw plenty of other native creatures.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">The Wellington Green Gecko which only lives in the southern half of the North Island, and is distinguished from the Auckland Green Gecko by it's yellow soled feet.....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLdtg2d0ONUTW0WAJDb2_CcGtZz73pvnRMe3o5V6EGb5IIqMWRXbfubkz7r_OHEiupY9LbIV-1QHw1VLwubA3gvLzLDpi-QfBGBpqGE2cF0LZ0DSBzkjZTJALEQZqvgSyHH8NnR3cP6kr/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLdtg2d0ONUTW0WAJDb2_CcGtZz73pvnRMe3o5V6EGb5IIqMWRXbfubkz7r_OHEiupY9LbIV-1QHw1VLwubA3gvLzLDpi-QfBGBpqGE2cF0LZ0DSBzkjZTJALEQZqvgSyHH8NnR3cP6kr/s640/IMG_2788.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellington Green Geko</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Tuatara reptiles......known as living fossils.....they can live over 100 years.....they were around with the dinosaurs.....they haven't changed in 225 million years......and they are only found in NZ....c</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">an you see the little fellow there....camouflaged right in the middle of the picture?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic5eLVf7eRUVnAoEBc-7TmHk8QdSqkcxSRSd2FJFauDmvrF5zWnFc8v6066tH6mbavd9YxPqG8n7VWhM8vqkDCDrXU56hyphenhyphenWhrkZt4HovEtoovd8xq9GjYFR89nwsQSHJ-K2lT3fdizPy2/s1600/IMG_2793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic5eLVf7eRUVnAoEBc-7TmHk8QdSqkcxSRSd2FJFauDmvrF5zWnFc8v6066tH6mbavd9YxPqG8n7VWhM8vqkDCDrXU56hyphenhyphenWhrkZt4HovEtoovd8xq9GjYFR89nwsQSHJ-K2lT3fdizPy2/s640/IMG_2793.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Tuatara</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">They are mostly nocturnal reptiles, and cold blooded, but they sometimes like to bask in the sun to warm up.....just like this one here......</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7N3LcGEJbjh_ABfTmZUoZCfjIDL7X_Kf0yWMpfSAX8J1BSKpVnwuCVb1hIJJiafLtKLWZWv5rAZjTRbupDrzH09NGAZlOlewFKTHeSyyPbjWdFtMRkwLacsjTyMVauKZZch7oxnqdTwJ/s1600/P1000116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7N3LcGEJbjh_ABfTmZUoZCfjIDL7X_Kf0yWMpfSAX8J1BSKpVnwuCVb1hIJJiafLtKLWZWv5rAZjTRbupDrzH09NGAZlOlewFKTHeSyyPbjWdFtMRkwLacsjTyMVauKZZch7oxnqdTwJ/s640/P1000116.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medium Tuatara</td></tr>
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The Kaka.....one of NZ's three native parrots.....lives in native forests......</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_dhVpQ4RpRhlQDLXcfrm1FJLL0HqRXeGjBtaltvx71XsJXw8kniOnnuaSGaB5IEhuhTm2dCvXvBzQ-vMp3JeR2vMBdQ6rKrNyaE5HzkqMZMQPRpJzWqTsgGB2f87Fz1PwNOXgrRYg8ma/s1600/P1000124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_dhVpQ4RpRhlQDLXcfrm1FJLL0HqRXeGjBtaltvx71XsJXw8kniOnnuaSGaB5IEhuhTm2dCvXvBzQ-vMp3JeR2vMBdQ6rKrNyaE5HzkqMZMQPRpJzWqTsgGB2f87Fz1PwNOXgrRYg8ma/s640/P1000124.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NZ Kaka</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">And the Tui.....a native bird belonging to the honeyeater family....they feed mainly on nectar from native flowers.....and live in native bush.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It may not be native, but Little Miss was chuffed when I found this little green walking stick and placed it on her hand.....</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">These are just some of the diverse and exotic creatures that can be found in NZ.....the plants and scenery can be pretty impressive too.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfurling frond of the Tree Fern</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Zealandia is situated in a valley that comprises the original concrete water reservoirs for the Wellington region .....now decommissioned due to earthquake risk. This is the little inspection tower which is reached via a small bridge, and has been renovated using the original colours.....</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspection Tower</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Here's the inspection tower and little bridge.....notice just how close suburbia is.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ttCdStMfyaMEEg2kcbi5sKem2RMj7eMMKQCusT5Fe3jzfy52GPvTceAw_JsRpSiKnNUOuV7eLimIgtchssM10et_crcbGC4bJySC1pZChv3HXbpIEHXJJ4X4VXiDEp9VCytFmkqhQOgZ/s1600/P1000081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ttCdStMfyaMEEg2kcbi5sKem2RMj7eMMKQCusT5Fe3jzfy52GPvTceAw_JsRpSiKnNUOuV7eLimIgtchssM10et_crcbGC4bJySC1pZChv3HXbpIEHXJJ4X4VXiDEp9VCytFmkqhQOgZ/s640/P1000081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It is hoped that this area, which is now fully enclosed, will be restored to something of it's former state over a 500 year timeframe.....the time it will take for the forest to regain its former diversity and structure.....WOW, that's a long time.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs74Pxe3w76xui56D6pJ8yvD58lGSSEgT7HeN5h6LSbhmgytds8JrLWFrVog9an6UMjbLZcnb1mW7k9KFUi9rvHDS_uEJeQ8n_-qq-BVboYgWmvqb1liEvqfEl4sOjbQ4LJYzh-n_-fu0b/s1600/P1000230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs74Pxe3w76xui56D6pJ8yvD58lGSSEgT7HeN5h6LSbhmgytds8JrLWFrVog9an6UMjbLZcnb1mW7k9KFUi9rvHDS_uEJeQ8n_-qq-BVboYgWmvqb1liEvqfEl4sOjbQ4LJYzh-n_-fu0b/s640/P1000230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">View from the lookout platform of one of the two dams and lakes.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2hQRN5u_qb0tzslXpN3VIy0Yzx8A-sVot8MqRhSJg9QAmmUny3wpeNuwS6gNpRVZ9YmY2zJbK5D-H5BrAgXkje5Hnoa5qY_2aN5nLw5M10rmStcwJKLbbyjwa5J71k-uwAznXQXzt8TW/s1600/P1000156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2hQRN5u_qb0tzslXpN3VIy0Yzx8A-sVot8MqRhSJg9QAmmUny3wpeNuwS6gNpRVZ9YmY2zJbK5D-H5BrAgXkje5Hnoa5qY_2aN5nLw5M10rmStcwJKLbbyjwa5J71k-uwAznXQXzt8TW/s640/P1000156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It was such an amazing place, and an ideal introduction for the Angels to some of New Zealand's native flora and fauna.....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">with a picnic lunch and the sun shining again, it was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">an interesting, educational and fun day. Thanks A.....it was awesome!</span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-40292348550063306372012-01-30T18:03:00.000+00:002012-08-27T00:35:22.435+01:00Flying, exploring, learning, meeting.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">So, my Angels had never flown before, and their first experience was to be a long haul flight.....well 3 actually....in the new A380 double decker airbus......and boy were they long.....13 hours to Singapore.....just a half hour while they cleaned the plane .....then a further 10 hours to Melbourne......1 hour to freshen up......then a final 4 hours to Wellington.....phew, 28½ hours of travel.....were we exhausted or what? But the excitement of landing at our final destination soon revived us. I have to say, I was a little concerned with the prospect of travelling such a long way, for such a long time, cooped up in such small spaces with all 4 Angels together....with long queues, and lots of security checks thrown in for good measure.......quite possibly a disastrous mix ......but they were absolutely brilliant......took it all in their strides.....helping each other and me, when necessary......I needn't have worried....they all made me very proud!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">After a good long sleep in comfy beds, we were rearing to go and ready to explore.....so first off was a tour of Grandpa's farm on his tractor and trailer.....the Angels' first encounter with sheep and cows....and a walk along the river bank looking for wild flowers and love </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Apple Color Emoji'; font-size: 20px;">❤</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> stones....</span></div>
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Later we did a spot of eeling in Black Creek, but we didn't even get a single bite! Bummer.....we were assured there were loads of them.....and big ones too! But it was not to be.....not this time at least!</div>
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Weta Studios in Miramar was really interesting....a teeny tiny museum of sorts..... showcasing the special effects, props, armour, and weapons invented, made, and used for the Lord of the Rings, Narnia Prince Caspian, King Kong, Avatar, Tintin, and most recently The Hobbit films, to name just a few.....it was well worth a visit.....and it was free!</div>
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Te Papa Museum in Wellington was also free.....amazing......with lots of interesting things to see and do.....the biggest giant squid ever found......the extinct giant flightless Moa bird.....</div>
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and the Angels experienced what it is like to be in an earthquake, in a specially built cottage inside the museum.....quite pertinent as Christchurch experienced another major earthquake just days before Christmas. </div>
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Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any live kiwis, but we did see these in the museum....</div>
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And as was to be expected, there was a large section devoted to Maori culture....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUrCP3svOLeAGkd-MucSBR7QauX_5rhyyCH0uRXsuH3Q9y9J3UBqvQAAjZ_e2Xfchq7OYICeNC2DOay3u5UPOrKmrbzADjJZTPdDT05J_zFOi618w9vshbQjoQpBkXmm8EnZF0ThIsEl3/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUrCP3svOLeAGkd-MucSBR7QauX_5rhyyCH0uRXsuH3Q9y9J3UBqvQAAjZ_e2Xfchq7OYICeNC2DOay3u5UPOrKmrbzADjJZTPdDT05J_zFOi618w9vshbQjoQpBkXmm8EnZF0ThIsEl3/s640/IMG_2733.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maori War Canoe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Od8ExHlDWvznPohl5rfjWjmBk0YjS2UaTLipcFfChiB-JvaO8kNJZBD0noTx3EJDDUyRJnCI6MXRLFUXJ-FtCGMehGLHIocHJza5FbpdZ2rbZkm4hldPGT_4012h5riedtQ4yH2ecTUr/s1600/P1000029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Od8ExHlDWvznPohl5rfjWjmBk0YjS2UaTLipcFfChiB-JvaO8kNJZBD0noTx3EJDDUyRJnCI6MXRLFUXJ-FtCGMehGLHIocHJza5FbpdZ2rbZkm4hldPGT_4012h5riedtQ4yH2ecTUr/s400/P1000029.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maori Store House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinpWzQQDQvmks-2Ie5ecSqfPmuvjh7s8dIZDE_C550vEK_ihOB38x0tULugv7jlp5SupCgLz6hZVnoUbV-TqOoE_7wmd0uxqLZ_LgE5Sf5OB9XUwRW7iPucbiB4QFyJklif3u3b2qQES3/s1600/P1000032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinpWzQQDQvmks-2Ie5ecSqfPmuvjh7s8dIZDE_C550vEK_ihOB38x0tULugv7jlp5SupCgLz6hZVnoUbV-TqOoE_7wmd0uxqLZ_LgE5Sf5OB9XUwRW7iPucbiB4QFyJklif3u3b2qQES3/s320/P1000032.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detailed Carving of Maori Store House</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We didn't manage to see all the museum.....in fact, we only touched the surface....and we hoped to go back to see the rest, but sadly, we just didn't get there....too many other interesting and exciting things to do!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the chilly, with temperatures roughly the same as here in England.....cold for a New Zealand summer.....warm for a British winter.....around 13C......so we had to find lots of warm clothes and coats for everyone, as we only took summer clothes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Despite the grey weather, there were new skills to learn.....a tractor just begging to be driven.....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6f48S3cpD5_2PiQUinm_dNzWXL9qMq-EgjlitB3QXqBnh-Xtdt3aKKwNHlpKrMSz4ZjeChpRZ1oWnRToPvHYJvnA61FAFzGxA7mJzY7yWpe1438rV6LoKjlwMy_pHZ5LJBTiUBKvI34X/s1600/IMG_2747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6f48S3cpD5_2PiQUinm_dNzWXL9qMq-EgjlitB3QXqBnh-Xtdt3aKKwNHlpKrMSz4ZjeChpRZ1oWnRToPvHYJvnA61FAFzGxA7mJzY7yWpe1438rV6LoKjlwMy_pHZ5LJBTiUBKvI34X/s320/IMG_2747.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Lad learning to drive</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and a flying fox (zip wire to the British) to be zipped along.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We collected some pretty coloured eggs.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">cuddled some chickens......</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">and Little Lad found himself a lucky four-leafed clover to be preserved and treasured.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_QKTkFs5czcpao2t6I_-JY18baY4TRFJ_DtNoQSCeMoS8vinTLkaa6iP8RMwlCnDngGeBDm7iWqatuyh7uiegTepTHUSA5CHqLhOzoevZ6St7Xt5krn2eA1jFPkK_j6DSNElywcIRZin/s1600/IMG_2784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_QKTkFs5czcpao2t6I_-JY18baY4TRFJ_DtNoQSCeMoS8vinTLkaa6iP8RMwlCnDngGeBDm7iWqatuyh7uiegTepTHUSA5CHqLhOzoevZ6St7Xt5krn2eA1jFPkK_j6DSNElywcIRZin/s400/IMG_2784.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">at least he thinks it's a four-leafed clover.....I'm not entirely sure, and secretly think it's from an entirely different plant......a bit of a rogue.....but he was well chuffed with himself.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">We also had a meet the POME's day, when friends and family came for a BBQ to say HELLO .....it was quite an overwhelming experience for me because I hadn't seen these people in many, many years, and it was just soooo good to catch up with them all......it was also quite overwhelming for the Angels too, and exciting, because they met Aunties, Uncles, and cousins of cousins for the very first time.....FAMILY......cousins their own ages who they could play with, and got on like a house on fire..... this feeling of belonging, being surrounded and embraced by family was simply quite wonderful for us all.......we've been so isolated here in England for the last 19 years, with no family except ourselves. I can't wait for the next time we can all be together again.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">-xx-</span></div>
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❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120677708508240470.post-7767840980970113912012-01-26T12:28:00.000+00:002012-01-26T13:27:10.399+00:00We're back......<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">H a p p y N e w Y e a r !</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Phew, it's been a while since I've posted here.....we've been soooo busy......half way round the world in fact.....to.....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">NEW ZEALAND</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">.....for the most fabulous, wonderfullest </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> and holiday with family and friends....remember that most fabulicious surprise I mentioned way back <a href="http://sassybelleblooms.blogspot.com/2011/10/special-day.html">here</a>? Well......this was it!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c1-r2NvvDtlG7jct2fc6GX5_1t6v1ir6fz51RXNv8lmIBSQFNJrK5RRQMFzDh_4TVS_qPPgGDlENYVazWMRK1WzDr4hhZ1UR0hzfUudubomnBVEBJHpO7-rtzWFwSXtCI7s_u6_D9A3r/s1600/DSCF0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-c1-r2NvvDtlG7jct2fc6GX5_1t6v1ir6fz51RXNv8lmIBSQFNJrK5RRQMFzDh_4TVS_qPPgGDlENYVazWMRK1WzDr4hhZ1UR0hzfUudubomnBVEBJHpO7-rtzWFwSXtCI7s_u6_D9A3r/s640/DSCF0442.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Fern - Ponga</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It was a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">H U G E</span> surprise for my Angels who knew nothing about our trip until 2 nights before we travelled. It was full to the brim with new experiences....they had never even flown before. It was so full on, our feet never seemed to touch the ground......there was so much to see and do.....family to meet, driving to learn, cows and sheep to round up, eels to catch, quad bikes to ride, shooting to try, a tractor get to grips with, amazing and unique flora and fauna to marvel at, new friends to make, bikes, scooters and skateboards to ride, new pets to look after, graves to visit, long bike rides to tire, laughter, fun and excitement to be had, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> presents to be opened, new games to learn, seas to swim in, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">farms to explore,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">museums to see, flying foxes to zip on, boiling mud pools to wonder at, water slides to zoom down, BBQs to cook, earthquakes to feel, Christmas trees to find, cut and decorate, volcanic activity to learn about, donkeys to ride, birthdays to celebrate, sheep shearing to see, chickens to hold, old friends to catch up with, a ferry trip round the harbour to enjoy, an isolated island to explore, hot pools to relax in, Maori culture to experience at first hand, sheep shows to watch, lots and lots of yummy food to devour.......Wow, that was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A LOT</span> to pack into a few short weeks!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwRVU0JeKG4DFhmeU0CSVTxb7ygDT1sFts2U-oUV_LYN5Z4Wg1SnfmNi8IG06IaSNUJVCG25-QWidmtf6Y5XBxH8AZppnz16ocFDj0BFp7A62cF7of9OLeLd8mmo8r1Kqu3jD3mKVh6u5/s1600/IMG_2898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwRVU0JeKG4DFhmeU0CSVTxb7ygDT1sFts2U-oUV_LYN5Z4Wg1SnfmNi8IG06IaSNUJVCG25-QWidmtf6Y5XBxH8AZppnz16ocFDj0BFp7A62cF7of9OLeLd8mmo8r1Kqu3jD3mKVh6u5/s640/IMG_2898.jpg" width="473" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Emblem - the Silver Fern</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">It's been a long, long time.....more than half my lifetime, in fact......since I have been surrounded by family.....and it felt sooooo good....like being wrapped up all comfy and cosy in the warm (maybe that was because it was summer, hehe) embrace of a cuddly blanket.....it was very, very hard, sad and bittersweet when it was time to say goodbye.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">But while we were there, we had the most amazing time, with loads and loads of fabulous memories made, to treasure for the rest of our lives.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNHXunQm2Ik5V0Aw6F6sUJ2D8YKNsFR5mSgeYWW-tB_FFfM9oDStvSZf7EI_pctgxyR4l2VnD_d6XEAQgBg7G-onDHsoiiY47ijmCa1LWrIiL7SXKTEJWQTnqn3i3GfHazlAFfmMaIUgO/s1600/DSCF0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNHXunQm2Ik5V0Aw6F6sUJ2D8YKNsFR5mSgeYWW-tB_FFfM9oDStvSZf7EI_pctgxyR4l2VnD_d6XEAQgBg7G-onDHsoiiY47ijmCa1LWrIiL7SXKTEJWQTnqn3i3GfHazlAFfmMaIUgO/s320/DSCF0251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home of the Rugby World Cup Holders</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Our most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to everyone who made our time in NZ so special and amazing, but especially to my Dad and his wife G.....</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">T H A N K Y O U ! ! !</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">from the bottom of our hearts.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">I was hoping to post little blog entries every few days while we were out there, but seriously.....there just wasn't the time.....we had to make the most of every available hour, minute even......so I hope to make a series of posts over the next few days with a small selection of the 1500 or so photos we took.....a "flavour' of our best holiday ......E V E R ! ! !</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-xx-</span></span></div>
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</div>❀ Sassybelle Bloomshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018476705247837384noreply@blogger.com2