Author: dave

work for me.

jane had a day of learning first aid

the girls stayed at home and kept themselves busy

kezia and i went to photo club tonight where just about everyone congratulated her on her honours image from a fortnight ago!

i met up with the girls at lunchtime to go to hand in our forms for our new zealand citizenship.  that was exciting

also exciting was kezia going to the optician and finding out she needs some glasses

the girls did lots of other errands too.  kezia had swimming this evening and esther has been to a church children group helpers party

kezia and i had to make up some prices to sell our pictures at the upcoming exhibition.  we drop those off tomorrow evening and the exhibition starts later in a fortnight’s time

here’s a trolley in the wind

i was back to work today.  And then went photoing with Mike in a freezing gale down by the waterfront.  the image above is an in-camera multiple exposure in case you were wondering.  we tried to find somewhere to see the sunset over the bridge, but there was a house in the way!

the girls went to the shop to buy things for their christmas shoeboxes, and i’m not sure what else they did.

kezia had swimming this evening

not much to report today.

jane and kezia went to pick up pearl this morning and went for walk with the lady who was looking after her.

esther and i went to church then dropped off some pictures to get printed and mounted.

this afternoon jane and i have been doing various computer based chores, esther has been practising her instruments and kezia has been making sure her ipad doesn’t feel lonely.

i’m back to work tomorrow.  everyone else isn’t.

last day of our holiday today involved driving the 5 hour, 400+km back home

we prepared for our journey back by having breakfast in a cafe which had been recommended to us but we’d failed to find until last night!

it was certainly pretty cold this morning and by the time we’d hit the road the weather was drawing in with gales, hale and even snow.  at one point we saw a couple of families who had pulled over to have a snow fight and build (a very tiny) snow man!

as a result we decided not to stop at Taupo other than for a loo stop (in driving hail)

we had planned to stop in Tirau, but it was so cold we carried on to Cambridge where we had a little wander around

we took shelter from the wild rain in the town hall which was having a book sale and very modern internet access

we eventually made it home which is warm than the three degrees C on the journey, although it’s nice to know it’s still pretty grim weather here too

and early morning boat trip tomorrow has been cancelled which is just as well given the weather.  and also means we don’t have to leave home at 4am!

Lots of things today,  starting with a trip to the national tobacco company offices

We then drove over to a sculpture park and then a chocolate factory.

Then we had a look round the Mission Vineyard.

We had lunch at home, then spent ages trying to get some passport photos done for our citizenship application.

The post office printer broke after it printed out my forehead so kezia spent ages going round seeing how it looked overlaid on brochures.  Eventually they gave up trying to mend it and we want elsewhere.

The girls then went for a cycle ride while I looked round the cathedral and picked up our photos

It’s been really cold and windy today though warm in the sun and shelter.  It even hailed while the girls were cycling
And wigs/hats blew off mannequins

After cycling was finished we went to the napier museum and gallery and watched a film showing earthquake survived stories.

And this evening we’ve had fish and chips because we’re off home tomorrow

Kezia and i got up at six this morning to photo the sun rise over the sea. It D only two minutes walk away so no excuses!

While kezia and i were shooting jane was out running

Once sun was up we went in to napier.  Jane meet up with a school teacher friend who is also in town and then did some solo shopping

Meanwhile the girls and I went to napier prison which is meant to be haunted, and is also a very basic backpack lodge for brave souls

After that we walked down to the crazy golf where we met jane

Is been a lovely day today and there were loads more people out at the beach etc

After lunch at home we drove to Havelock north then up to a view point

And on the way back we found a place called Twyford and a sweet shop

This evening we went for a walk down the waterfront as the sun went down and played with some shadows on the way

The sea was pretty rough this morning

Our day started at the info centre in napier then the girls spent the rest of the morning shopping while I wandered around photoing

We came home for lunch then we went back out again to the national aquarium centre

Following by some more shopping / photoing.

This evening jane and i went for a walk down the water front which is a street away from where we are staying

Weather-wise it’s been a bit rubbish today but it hasn’t rained

But that’s made for some interesting beach debris

The holiday has begun!

We left home just after nine and arrived at napier around five pm,  having stopped at mata mata for lunch and huka falls for a leg stretch.

Once we’d got in to our accommodation we heading out again to have a look round napier,  find some food and do some shopping.

We’ve only got three full days here before the long drive back so I think we’re going to have a busy few days!

here’s a man in a suit asleep on a cricket pitch.  spring is in the air.  or it would be if it wasn’t for the wind and rain and cold temperature.

so it’s timely we’re off on a holiday until the weekend starting from tomorrow.  hopefully we’ll be able to do a few blog updates, but apologies if there’s radio silence for a bit.

jane had a busy day which involved dropping off pearl at a friends house so she can have fun with three other dogs while we’re away.

esther stayed at home and watched a load of Shirlock.    And i went to work.  but now i’m on holiday.  woohoo!

this evening has been packing and baking and doing some more working out of details for our xmas visit which is looking very busy.