Birthday, Biting & Bike Ride......

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.


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......

Big Miss's Eel

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.

Christmas 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.....

K & D's Hill

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.....

K & D's House from their Hill

All refreshed and recovered from our little bike jaunt down the road, we saddled up and headed for home......everyone had happily 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.

-xx-

Scorching Bay.....

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?


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......

The Lads

At each end of the bay there are little rock outcrops, perfect for a little rock pooling....

Starfish found by the Misses 

Baby Anemone 

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.....

Scorching Bay, Wellington 

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.....

M and Little Miss

The Angels didn't know it at the time, but a few days later they were to be 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.......

Little Miss

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......

Scorching Bay, Wellington

After a most delightful BBQ dinner back at the cousies' house, we drove into the city centre...... 

Wellington Harbour & City Centre at Dusk

to oooh and ahhh over the giant Telecom Christmas tree made entirely of lights....

The light sequences continually change, with background music to keep you bopping, jiving, or just humming along......

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.....

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 B I G man himself......SANTA......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!

Another fab day had by all......thanks cousies!!!

-xx-

Native flora and fauna....

We were given a most useful and interesting Christmas 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 perimeter fence 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.....

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.....

Wellington Green Geko

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....can you see the little fellow there....camouflaged right in the middle of the picture?

Baby Tuatara

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......

Medium Tuatara

The Kaka.....one of NZ's three native parrots.....lives in native forests......

NZ Kaka

And the Tui.....a native bird belonging to the honeyeater family....they feed mainly on nectar from native flowers.....and live in native bush.....

NZ Tui

It may not be native, but Little Miss was chuffed when I found this little green walking stick and placed it on her hand.....

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.....

Unfurling frond of the Tree Fern

Tree Fern

Little Miss

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.....

Inspection Tower

Here's the inspection tower and little bridge.....notice just how close suburbia is.....

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.....

View from the lookout platform of one of the two dams and lakes.....

It was such an amazing place, and an ideal introduction for the Angels to some of New Zealand's native flora and fauna.....with a picnic lunch and the sun shining again, it was an interesting, educational and fun day. Thanks A.....it was awesome!

-xx-

Flying, exploring, learning, meeting.....

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!

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 ❤ stones....

Little Miss

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!

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!

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.....

Moa

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. 

Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any live kiwis, but we did see these in the museum....

NZ Kiwi

And as was to be expected, there was a large section devoted to Maori culture....

Maori War Canoe

Maori Store House

Detailed Carving of Maori Store House

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!

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.

Despite the grey weather, there were new skills to learn.....a tractor just begging to be driven.....

Big Lad learning to drive

and a flying fox (zip wire to the British) to be zipped along.....

We collected some pretty coloured eggs.....

cuddled some chickens......

and Little Lad found himself a lucky four-leafed clover to be preserved and treasured.....

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.

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.

-xx-

We're back......

H a p p y   N e w   Y e a r !

Phew, it's been a while since I've posted here.....we've been soooo busy......half way round the world in fact.....to.....NEW ZEALAND.....for the most fabulous, wonderfullest Christmas and holiday with family and friends....remember that most fabulicious surprise I mentioned way back here? Well......this was it!

Silver Fern - Ponga

It was a H U G E 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, Christmas presents to be opened, new games to learn, seas to swim in, farms to explore, 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 A LOT to pack into a few short weeks!

National Emblem - the Silver Fern

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.

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.

Home of the Rugby World Cup Holders

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.....

T H A N K   Y O U ! ! !

from the bottom of our hearts.

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 ! ! !

-xx-

Word Love......

A few months ago I saw a wonderful word sign on a door, in a house, in a magazine....I loved the words, so I took a photo of the picture and kept it on my phone....I'd never seen anything like this in the shops......one day, I told myself, I would try to make something like it. Then yesterday I took my friend M out shopping to a town we had not explored before.....we wandered into a nice little shop, and oh my, oh joy.....there was the lovely little sign, just like in the picture....well I thought it was just like the one in the picture, but it turns out one of the words is different.....but that didn't matter, I still loved the words anyway......I oohed and ahhhed over it....but in the end my head overruled my heart and I walked out of the shop empty handed.


We did a little more wandering, and a little more looking, and then had a spot of lunch in a nice little cafe....the best ever panini we've ever had, actually....but the little sign had been playing on my mind, niggling at me.....so I said, on the way home I'd pull over outside the shop and run in....if it was still there I'd have it, if it wasn't, it wasn't meant to be....and guess what....it was still there....soooooo, I did have it.......

I ♥ these words....they are such wise, wonderful words to live by.....keep Peace in your heart, always live in Hope, and spread Joy wherever you are! The words are ideal to hang for Christmas.....reminding us to spread the Christmas spirit, but they are also perfect for remembering at any time of the year.

The other sign, incidentally, said.....Joy Love Peace....which is absolutely lovely too, but I do have a couple of other words that say Love....and I need to remember to stay hopeful.....so this sign is actually even better than the one I coveted in the magazine!

May we all keep Peace in our hearts, always live in Hope, and spread Joy wherever we are!

-xx-

Christmas is coming......

I've been a little preoccupied of late.....planning and organising for our super duper, fabulicious news which I received back here.......the most wonderful of wonderfullest Christmas surprises for my Angels....so I haven't really had the time to pop into my blog and record the things that are making me happy just now.....although, as its a s u r p r i s e I can't really put anything about what I've been up to on my blog anyway.....just in case one of my delightful Angels just happened to check up on my blog and all was exposed just a little too early.....but it is good.....it is worth the wait....all will be revealed s o o n....I promise.

But now it's December, the magical big C.....Christmas can full-heartedly be talked about. Every year for the last 12 years (bar one) I've made advent calendars for my four Angels....I prefer handmade and customised calendars to the commercialised shop-bought a-choc-a-day type of calendar.....I include little pressies, sweeties, and a chocolate coin or two, but also items to evoke the Christmas atmosphere......little bundles of cinnamon sticks, tiny parcels of cloves, small sprigs of christmas tree, holly and ivy, a decoration, maybe a christmas poem I've penned....you get the picture.......

Big Lad's Advent Calendar 2010

What started out as a special little treat for two Angels, has now turned into quite a major undertaking, not to mention quite costly......it requires quite a lot of planning in plenty of time for the 1st of December, and even though I try to make at least half of the items, that still leaves half to buy.....and since I have four Angels it all adds up quickly......and we haven't even got to Christmas proper!

And so it is for two reasons this year......all the planning and organising for our Christmas surprise, and the cost.......that I sadly decided to forgo my handmade calendars and give my Angels a much cheaper and quicker alternative......a-choc-a-day advent.....Sorry Angels......but I promise it WILL all be worth it!!!

I actually thought the Angels would quite like the change of calendars this year......a chocolate every day for 24 days......but although they were obviously happy they had advent calendars, it was Little Lad who voiced his (and I suspect everyone's) disappointment at not having one of Mummy's special calendars.....it really tugged at my heartstrings......initially, because I hadn't stretched myself just that little bit more to find the time and the money......secondly, because it made my heart sing that they did actually prefer mine.....and lastly, because in just a few days I can at last reveal why our Christmas is going to be so special this year.....yay!

But while I haven't been thinking about and planning and organising advent calendars this year, I have been  thinking about.....and making.......lots of teeny tiny hearts......

Now I've not yet crocheted a blanket....it's on my wish list of things to do.....I will get there eventually......so I can only imagine what it must be like to sew all those straggly little ends in.....just the thought of all those little tails on my hearts filled me with dread.....

But needs must and all, so I set to and threaded, weaved, and snipped till all the teeny tiny hearts were tail free.....

Such a colourful little pile of strands.....not to be wasted mind.....I'm saving them till the spring, then I'll pop them outside on a warm, calm day for the birds to help themselves.....a little helping hand with their nest building.....

So now tail-free, they need to be made into something pretty.....

Ooooohhh, I know......lots of little strings of bunting.....

....just perfect for Christmas decorations and presents.....

Happy Advent!

-xx-