Jo's paintings

Kea

White Terns

Doubtless Bay artwork

A few days in Doubtless Bay provided inspiration for some art. Pohutakawa, by Michael

 Karikari Peninsula, by Joanne

 Doubtless Bay Headland, by Joanne

 Portrait of Mike

Abstract portrait of Joanne

Kiribati 33rd Independence Day celebrations

today we were super multi cultural....being honored guests at the Kiribati Independence Day celebrations (a pacific nation made independent from Britain 33 years ago)...at the Turangawaewae Marae (which is the Maori Kings place). here we are wearing our gifted garlands from the lovely Kiribati dancers

Christchurch re-visited

Flying into Christchurch there was the most brooding of weather patterns the 'norwest arch' unique to the Canterbury Plains.
All around the coast you see the colossal damage...half the house at the top of the cliff, half the house at the bottom....
Containers are used for everything, stopping rock fall into the road...
housing boutique stores and cafes in the town centre...
a local dairy (or corner shop to the brits!)...
the pub in Lyttleton, does a great lunch platter...
The Bank in Lyttleton, to ladies sit in the office behind the window and through the door is the cash machine....
Me and my lovely friends Sue and Brigid...we were all in the big earthquake together last year. Lovely to catch up with them and see the amazing spirit of the remaining Cantabrians!

Summer 2012

Early in the new year we headed to Waimana a small rural community inland from Opotiki, at the start of the East Cape to stay on my friend Cyndy's family Dairy Farm. A few days doing the typical kiwi summer stuff; fishing, boating, swimming in streams, sailing to deserted little harbour islands, eating freshly caught flounder...

Daisy jumped straight in the tinny, first time, she is a fully fledged sea dog now
Cyndy & Steve having a fish off the island.

East coast beach...lots of blue bottles!

Xmas 2011

Beer tasting at Hallertau brew bar
Wine tasting at Coopers Creek...mmmm 'Guido in velvet pants'

Cerosene Creek a natural hot water stream and waterfall
walking through the geothermal steam at Wai-o-tapu
Richard, Louise and Michael in the Polynesian Spa
At the Themral village with Louise and some very fabulous mud pools

Dicky & Louise at the Geyser in Rotorua
Daisy with her Xmas day bone
Xmas day brunch at the beach
early morning waves at Milford
Nick and Mike...crackers!

Holiday in the Hokianga

We just spent four days in Northland, staying in this amazing house overlooking Hokianga Harbour. Our friends Ange, Bruce and their son Joe joined us for two nights. Their dog Bear and our Daisy had a whale of a time exploring the huge grounds and the surrounding beaches.

The weather was gorgeous, it was peaceful, the company was good...a fabulous way to celebrate my birthday.

Joe and Mike contemplating the universe...


Daisy loved swimming out for sticks then shaking off the water when she was at the beach...

the local transport...
Omapere beach...all to ourselves
the lawn at the holiday house...
big boulders on our beach...
These were our furry neighbours....