Waiheke last weekend

Lunch with Shaun and Michael at Saratoga Vineyard and the best deck chair in the world ever!

Outdoors with Todd

1st fishing trip of the year proved a tough slog, Jan is a time when thefish aren't feeding - acording to Todd our skipper (Mikes colleague), however I was very pleased to catch my 1st ever really big snapper at 12lb...I of course being the super fisherwoman I am did so much better than the boys!

Mike did ok too once the sea sickness wore off!

I got my 1st shark which was very exciting, even this baby was excepionally strong, fishermen hate them becasue the eat all the fish.

my flipflop with our snapper to show scale

Awhitu day trip

Yesterday we went to Awhitu Regional Park, part of Manukau harbour. A beautiful 25c day yet again for us to enjoy on our summer break.

An Oyster Catcher mother with her chick on the beach, the dad Oyster Catcher flew at us protecting his family, a bit scary with those beaks!

Tranquil Awhitu beach, the water was very warm and there were lots of fishes jumping.

Awhitu lighthouse at the South Head of Manukau Harobour, opposite Whatipu.

Supersize sand dunes at Hamiltons Gap, West Coast

Turns on the rocks at The Gap

New Year hols at Whangateau

We just had 5 nights away at Whangateau, about an hours north from home by the east coast. Michelle and Aaron spent a night with us and we caught up with Claudia who is working in the area at the moment. The weather has been hot, sunny and windy.

At Tawharanui marine and wildlife reserve, amazingly beautiful peninusula, crystal clear waters, fun bodyboarding waves and pies on the beach for lunch with Claudia. A lovely way to spend New Years Eve day.

Omaha beach, near the caravan we stayed in.

Mike at Matakana evening market with Claudia.

Enjoying fantastic Ales from the Leigh Sawmill Brewery with Aaron.

Christmas eve and Christmas day

On Christmas morning we went to Milford on the east coast for a swim and then...
Christmas lunch with Heidi the christmas angel! and our friends (Karl & Eliza, Heidi's parents) and of course with....Mike's long time buddy Nick. We had a lovely day. The weather has been spectacular over Xmas so far and we 2 more weeks holiday to enjoy!















































Christmas Eve we went to Muriwai on the west coast for an evening swim, the water was amazing...

and to have a picnic and watch the sun set



The Pohutakawa flowering on Boxing day at Wenderholm beach. Natures very own Xmas decoration!

When work has benefits

Last night I stayed in Taupo, my hotel room opened out onto these views and I had some little feathery visitors...
Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro at the foot of the lake...still snow covered

Natural geothermal hot streams trickle into the lake...

ahhhhh cute!

Claudia & Halloween visitors

Claudia has been staying with us this week...we have taken her to some of our local favourite places

On Karekare beach

We had some trick or treaters arrive on Halloween....spoooookkkkkyyyy!!!!