Saying goodbye to the family in the Coromandel was hard as we knew we wouldn't see them again till we are home next year. It was great to see the parents but also made us realise that they aren't getting any younger or fitter. We caught a plane down to wellington and and spent the night at Logan's hotel and then an early start to get the ferry across the sounds to meet up with Lloyd and Anna.

We rode all the way over inside as it was a bit rolly outside. We left Bradley in Wellington and picked up Logan. Logan slept all the way across, guess he must have had a good night at his works Christmas party! We had a small wait in Picton. We whiled the time away at a local cafe enjoying the seen and the view.

One of the highlights was to cycle our way to Renwick from Lloyd and Anna's house and visit a few wineries. Loogn was very keen to show us which ones we should visit and it was a lot of fun even though I was very tired at the end...think I had biked over 40 km's that day. My amazing packhorse had his backpack so we were able to purchase some quality wines.

Lloyd was very proud of his garden that he and Anna are growing. It did produce quite a variety of goodies for us to eat. We were most impressed with this.

I took time to take a photo of each or our boys in setting on their own without their knowledge. The photos show us exactly what they are like and it also shows them that we are very proud of them. Logan had picked this book up to read and didn't put it down until he had finished it.
Bradley was forever writing in his little notebook. He has a great talent for making words come alive.
Lloyd has finally found a passion that interests him and he is making the most of his studies to ensure he has a great career ahead of himself. it was wonderful to spend some quality time with both him and Anna and we are very proud that she wants to be part of our family.
Christmas day started with a champagne breakfast and then a walk down to the local river for the boys to have a swim in the water. It was a matter of the other two picking on the baby (although he is the biggest). It was fun to watch and see how these boys interact as adults considering how much they fought against each other as little guys.
Zena is still a well behaved dog and still delights in taking herself for a walk. We managed to take her a few times for one and were impressed that she had lost none of the training she had had as a puppy.
Anna is developing her skills of the fire poi and I even had a go. Was amazed at how hot it was while doing the twirling but also impressed that when the poi did hit you that you didn't actually get burnt, it just left a black mark on you.
Then it was back onto the ferry to Wellington where we spent our last few days before flying back to Singapore. No stop in Wellington is complete until you have been to visit Te Papa. This time round we saw the giant squid and were suitably impressed with it and the process that went into preserving it,
Our final photos were of the tui that were singing so beautifully in the trees on our walk back down Wadestown hill after visiting my uncle Dave.
Our trip home was not long enough but it did give us a good taste of home and some great quality time with the boys, and our extended family. it did make us realise that one day we will be back to live in New Zealand but also know that we are not quite ready to do it yet.

Poppa and Nana's Tree

One weekend we went to Rotorua and spend a couple of nights with Wayne's brother David. We were going to spread Poppa's ashes at the tree. Nana has been with her tree for a number of years now (15) and as Poppa passed away last year it was time for him to join her. Thanks Brigid for organising this.

We picked Logan up at the airport in Rotorua, unfortunately Lloyd couldn't get away for the weekend and he was the only grandchild missing. It was so good to be able to drive DINK1E while home. If only our holiday could have been longer.
Femy enjoyed catching up with all of Poppa's family.
Aunt Helen was looking very fit and well. Being Poppa's only sibling still alive it was a very poignant time for her.
The three brothers, Wayne, Ian and David.
s.

Christmas in NZ 09

After leaving work at 6.45 pm, we were on our way to Changi Airport to catch a direct flight home for 3 weeks in our little slice of paradise. On our flight we were asking each other what we missed most about NZ and high on the list was to see the bloom of the pohutukawa flower. Its our Christmas flower and it represents the beginning of summer. As was having fish and chips by the beach, eating a bacon and egg pie, chocolate fish, catching fish, lovely wine, walking on the grass and many more things. Throughout this blog you will see photos of some of the very things we discussed.
We took a drive up the local coastal highway and were amazed by the pohutukawa carpet on the road. No drive up this part of the coast is complete without a stop at Waiomu where I captured our oldest son Bradley juggling. A highlight of our trip home was that we could spend quality time with all 3 of our sons. that was so special. You guys do make us very proud of you.
Catching a sunset from the decking of our house is one of the many things we do miss. thankfully my lovely sister and her family are in our house and we are able to stay with them to make the most of the view while we are home.
As Beth is also an avid photographer, her children are use to posing. Jacob, Dominic and Claudia you are awesome.
And yes we did get to eat fish and fishs at the beach. We bought them in Coromandel and travelled a few minutes to Oamaru Bay. Fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, YUM!
Finally we arrived at our caravan for a little bit or r & r. Now this is one of the main things we do miss. We drive about 1 and a 1/2 hours to Papa Aroha to the camping ground. this place is truly bliss. We are so envious that Beth, Matt and their family get to use this place more than we do!!!! but Beth, our time will come!
Going for walks along the beach, along the road, across the grass is one of the pleasures of this place. And yes, men will still be boys and they climb trees. I even did climb up too! as did Bradley.

Along the road home we found this monarch butterfly having a drink from the clover flower.

Further along the beach we came across some birds that were trying to lead us away. This oyster catcher had a nest somewhere in the sand. We didn't see the nest but he made sure of it.

Beside the oyster catcher was a pair a dotterils. I was lucky enough to get a good photo of them. They weren't sure of us and tried all sorts of tricks to lead us away. Like the photo below where it is pretending to have damaged wings so that I could catch that instead of their eggs.

Wayne is using the tractor to put in the boat...still no name..if you have any ideas for a name, let me know. Bradleya nd Wayne went our for a fish and did bring some back so we could have fresh fish for dinner...so YUMMY.

Kayaking on the beach is always a treat.