Well it's 3 years ago ........................................

Since we left the shore of Blighty and started the new chapter of our lives in Aotearoa. If folks don't know we had never even visit here before we 'jumped in the deep end' by selling up, packing our stuff, hopping on a jumbo and breaking some hearts along the way.
When we landed we stayed with some kind (understatement if ever there was) friends while the house selling in the UK still went through (I would not live that last week for a winning lotto ticket - honest). I got a job here and that's why we set up in this particular part of the country.
It certainly hasn't been 'plain sailing' we have had ups and downs, but the kids have a great life living in the countyside (we came from a overpopulated city), the house we live in is bigger and better then we had in the UK (although paying a mortgage cripples you what ever part of the world you live in LOL), the climate is certainly better, the place is beautiful, we feel safer and we live and do things we could only dream of doing (or only on a 2 week holiday). Some times I have to pinch myself that we live here.
There are still things we miss about the UK (galaxy choc for starters!!) and of course there are lots of people we do still miss terribly, but thank goodness for technology, the web and a web cam.
Will we live here forever? Who knows! And by that I mean if someone had told me 15 years ago I would live here I've of betted a million pound that I wouldn't of - Me never!! so on that who knows what the future will bring. But we call this place home and I am more then happy that we CHOSE to live here.

This week we.....

Well it was a good friends birthday party. J is one of the nicest people you could meet, we met him as we have a shared love of Everton Football Club. J is from Blackpool but is a manic blue, one of his presents was the flag pole, another the Everton (YAY) flag his wife and kids bought him a personalised number plate "TOFEEZ". Here are some piccies from his birthday party



The birthday boy himself with Key both in their kits of course!!!



I went to a bead class with my good friend Ange. She does a bit of beading and we thought it would be fun to take a class or two. We saw this real pretty necklace and was told it was easier then it looked, you crocheted with the wire. Now I am a crocheter so thought I'd have a go and it look so pretty. Well I managed it but poor Ange - well lets just say she is going to wear the beads in the bag!!! But we did laugh all the way home. It could only happen to me or her. Anyway I am chuffed to say I made this and I just love it.



Then L had been asked to sing at Mass. She did really well as the others did too. It's lovely to hear her sing and I know that the people at church love it and they always come up and tell her at the end. We are so proud of her. Ka Pai Lou, love you lots xxx

Some funny videos from the camping trip

My kids having fun in the watering hole on rubber rings - life doesn't get any better. Look out for the bum wiggle!!!

Peace, quiet, fun, rest the two kids playing together then.......................................................
Fighting like an old married couple, I wonder were they get that from????

Weekend camping

A friend recommended this camp site to us and we went there for my birthday and I had one of the best birthdays I have ever had.
So last weekend we went back there. Packed up the car, picked the kids up from school on the way and headed to Ruapuke (said Rua pooky) just outside Raglan (about 1 1/2 hours from home). As we arrived Paddy was squealing with delight. We just chilled, read, played games, went in the watering hole, paddled (can't swim there too rough) and had a beach fire in the evening. It's just great there and we all love it. Here are some of the many piccies we took.


The watering hole on the camp site.






Here are some piccies taken by my uber talented daughter, she isn't even 12 yet and take some professional looking picture.

A night on the town with Gin (& no tonic)

One of my prezzies for Christmas was local singer Gin Wigmore's CD. It's FAB, so when she played in Auckland we just had to see her live and she was just great. We got to meet her at the end too.

Mum's visit highlights

Well mum has been and gone (and planning her next trip). We had a FAB time while she was over. Unfortunately we didn't do as much as we had planned seeing as I put my back out for most of her hols (hence why I didn't blog) but at least I was at home with her and she could fluff my pillow and give me a cuddle when the pain was bad - like no one can but your Mum can.
Mum, as ever, threw herself into whatever we did (bushwalking, body boarding, went in dark caves/tunnels etc etc) and we had to keep remembering that she was a 'twirly' (OAP). She caught up with friends and made new ones (including our chickens). She really loves it here and we love having her. But once again the time came for her to leave and again tears flowed.
But here are some piccies of the highlight of her stay. Till the next time Mum - love ya xxx



Mum had to go on swing bridges quite a bit - didn't help that Steve and the kids would rock them!!!




In the caves at Waitomo

Stevie jumping out at her (the cave was pitch black) and yes she did cr*p herself hee hee.

In our spa pool at home with her beautiful granddaughter



Having a barbie (they are public FREE ones) on the beach at the Mount.

Oh yes the South Pacific Ocean can be cold even in summer.

On the bodyboards - chillin


Big as ...ice creams and cookies and yes they were as nice as they looked

Happy New Year!!

Well I haven't blogged for ages (sorry) and I keep meaning to 'catch up'!! but I don't so instead I'll carry on, rather then say I'll get around to it and I don't. I will try to do a 2009 round (don't hold your breath!). So Happy New Year I hope it's a good one.

As I write I am watching the net and waiting for my mum's flight to take off, she is coming to visit us, her second visit (this time last year she was already here). So I want to record her visit here so people can see what she's up to as well as us.

Bye for now.xoxox