snow

I had a work trip down south this week and finally got to see some snow...NZ has had a bumper ski season but is thawing out now it's spring.

This is Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown.


We got caught in a snow blizzard between Invercargill and Dunedin.
Yesterday was about 19c so spring is an interesting time in the south

Amazing drive throught the snow topped mountains between Queenstow and Invercargill which is the farthest south city in the world...I think!

My cousin Duncan

Last night we met up with my cousin Duncan, we found each other recently on facebook, Duncan lives in Perth WA but just happened to be making his first visit to NZ for a work expo in Auckland... we have not seen each other since 1986 so there was a lot to catch up on over dinner and drinks...I think there is a slight family resemblance, he is however very much like my Uncle Cyril and he has definately got the good Middlemass family traits, like enjoying our food and drinks, lovely humour and good company to be around...

the cousins-in-law seemed to find plenty to talk about and got on famously...looking forward now to our next catch up, meeting the rest of the family hopefully in Perth one day!

Kiwi Living

A typical Northland 'bach' at Matauri Bay...not very grand but perfect none the less, just look at the location...

...the Cavalli Islands in the distance where the Rainbow Warrior is sunken in the South Pacific Ocean and has become a popular dive site

When Michael is ready to leave the bright lights and big city maybe one day we can live in a little quiet hamlet like this!

Anna is 5 years old

My beautiful God-daughter Anna, back in Wales on her 5th Birthday!..
wearing the lovely red top I sent over, of course from Pumpkin Patch (she's very fashion forward that top is not available in the northern hemisphere yet!)

the'magic cottage'

Holidays this week took us to the 'Magic Cottage' on the Takou River in Northland, close to the Bay of Islands. It was truly magic set just over the waters edge and surrounded by beautiful gardens, farmland and a private beach just an half hour kayak downstream... all very tranquil!

view from the deck of our cottage

we enjoyed bubbles while in the outdoor claw foot bath on the deck right by the river...Michael found a big leaf to cover any wobbly bits for the sake of paparazzi!

a couple of young cheeky farm animals on the all organic agricultural land surrounding the gardens

after our kayak down river to the private and secluded Takou Bay (only accessible by boat) Michael braved the mid winter and took a dip in the ocean...I just paddled

the magic cottage gardens were full of beautiful plants and flowers and is the first place I have seen snow drops in New Zealand

riverside birdlife was abundant...lots of the beautiful Pied Shags and Kingfishers...

there was a kingfisher about every 5m along the river...

inventive beach front property, just park you caravan and build next to it...us at Matauri Bay

England v The All Blacks

Saturday night we went to watch England v All Blacks...starting off down the pub...as you do being English, catching up with Nick and numerous other blighty ex pats...

First experience seeing the Haka performed by the All Blacks live...

Tanya was not impressed having the St George cross laid over her, being she was the only kiwi in the party...

Jon proud to be English to the end...even in defeat!

Lake Tarawera

Short break this weekend with some friends at Lake Tarawera, this is the view from the deck of the bach we rented Our own private jetty...

Jon getting to grips with the axe so we could keep warm by the indoor fire...

flighty fantail bird, they come very close to people and are very cute and curious

late autumn bumble bee on the manuka flower

Iconic Tui bird, they have the most amazing song/warble