today we went on a family adventure to get revved up for our christmas break where we’re going to be holidaying at home for a fortnight.
the day started rather anti-climactically with jane going off to join a guided walk lead for those who live in our street. She’d arranged to go with a friend who lives across the road, but they were the only ones who turned up. Even the guide didn’t bother. so they went for a short walk together anyway
fantastic toilets in matakana on the edge of a roundabout
once jane was back we loaded up the car and headed off up north up to a lovely place called Matakana where they have an excellent farmers food market on a Saturday morning.
Whilst there we popped in to the Tourist Information Office which was manned by a lovely British couple who’s son lives just north of Reading. they recommended a local ice cream shop which was totally fantastic.
they also had a huge chicken wandering about which esther asked me to photograph for you:
After stuffing ourselves we went to Brick Bay Sculpture Trail which was absolutely excellent, and something we’ll definitely put on our ‘must do’ list for visitors.
It was $30 for the family (somewhere around the £15 mark) but was both an excellent walk through native bush and an excellent outside art gallery.
the place itself is also a vineyard
these windmills reminded me of telly tubby land
the building block sculpture above is a solar powered kinetic sculpture which moved slowly in to impossible shapes then back to a standard stack
Once we’d finished there we went on to Algie Beach where the girls threw themselves about in the sea and then the play park. After a quick junk food picnic we headed back home.
this is a tent made of mirrors
Tomorrow is our christmas service at church which is meant to be outside, but the forecast is rain. Esther is doing one of the readings which is exciting. And then we’ll hopefully find a christmas tree to chop down before having friends round for dinner. busy but good.
see ya