January - and home again for a different reason

 One night we got a very important txt message - Bradley and Jingjing had set the date for their NZ wedding in 10 day time!  It was into fast mode we went trying to organise a way for us both to get home but sadly only one of us could go. This is how the day unfolded.  Congrats guys - we are very proud of you!

North Island leg of our trip home.

We arrived, drove the short distance to the campervan park and we weren't disappointed.  Ideal location, clean ablutions with hot showers!

We were a short walking distance to the main shopping and business area.  Te Papa was also just down the road and we even managed a short visit before we met up with Bradley and Jingjing who had the biggest grins on their faces that  we had ever seen.  The reason was that they had just got engaged and we were lucky enough to share the day with them.

We celebrated by drinking a toast with a wine from Cloudy Bay, thanks to Lloyd and then off to dinner with them.  We spent the next couple of days catching up with them whenever we could.  Arranging for them to join us at Paekakariki Holiday Park for a couple of nights.

We found a yellow pohutukawa mingling with the red one.

And we also found the perfect pet!  We spent a couple of days walking along this coastline enjoying the fresh sea breeze...although Wayne did tell me it was 'cold'.

During these walks I was concentrating on getting some good photos of our local flax flowers.

But who can resist the bunny tails?

 

The views along this coast were breathtaking.  Luckily for us Jingjing and Bradley had brought dinner with them and taught us how easy it was to cook dumplings (we have since cooked them back here in KL).

The next morning it was pack up time to move onto our next destination.  Taupo.  The drive took us on some roads we had never been on.  Views we had never seen.  It am always amazed at the scenery we see in NZ, surely some of the best in the world and in such a small country.

Next stop Thames, where we get lovley sunsets off our balcony and time to spend without cat, Silky.

Next stop was to see my parents where I played with my camera in Dad's garden.  

Then it was off to have lunch with Jo and Samuel and of course Beth and Claudia tagged along.  Cuddles with our great nephew were awesome.

One have the highlights of going home is to have fish and chips on the beach.  Well we were almost on the beach...it was sea water beside us but we just happened to be sitting at the wharf in Thames enjoying a coffee and fish and chips and yes they were wrapped in paper - the only way to have fish and chips.

Sadly we had to leave Thames to go to Rotorua to spend Christmas with Wayne's brothers.  We stayed with David at his lovely place at Hamurana.  It was so lovely to be able to do this and to catch up on all the news from his side of the family.  And of course being a property that has some land we were able to play with our cameras.

Lilly, Craig and Danni's daughter.

Lucas, their son.

 DINK1E - my dinkie toy car...it was wonderful to be able to drive her around.

David has some very photogenic animals!








Boxing day saw us go and visit Nana and Poppa at their tree.  Such a special place for our family that we always make the time to visit this spot whenever we are in Rotorua.

But only after having a bbq lunch, thanks to Ian and Katie.  Such a yum way to eat fresh crayfish!

 Our trip home was drawing to a close.  It was fantastic to catch up with family and friends.  They are invaluable times and memories.