Getting back to normal...

With Andrew and Dave on the waterfront

The Langdons have gone, the holidays are over, and life is bumbling along as usual again. We had the most amazing holiday, it was so much fun to spend time with the rabble, and just show them why I love this place so much. After our kayaking adventures in Rotorua (I think the word kayak appears a bit too much in my previous post), we headed up to Pauanui in the Coromandal to catch up with the Fletchers. There, we ditched mum (ok, so she wanted to hang out with Auntie Lindsay some more) and the kids partied in Auckland for a few days. It was great to see the lovely Johnsons again, and catch up with some friends in the big smoke. Then, it was down to Waitomo for some glow-worm action, where we stayed in the cooooooooooolest hotel in the world. Well, it is if you're a hobbit.

Life as a hobbit in Waitomo

Mount Doom on the Desert Road

The boys and Ann were here for an action packed 2 weeks, and then mum was here in Wellington for an extra one (we managed to get reunited with her back in Welly). It was fun showing her where everything is, sampling the coffees all over the city, hanging at the beach, exploring the streets and introducing her to the brown heap of poo that is the Brown Rocket. The weather was awesome too, not at alllllll like winter. When I told Katherine we got sunburnt in Napier (unusual in winter!) she pointed out "you're all ginger". Hmmm. Good point. We get sunburnt in the supermarket.

Mum hunting for paua shells on the beach

Breaker Bay in Wellington

Surfer at Breaker Bay

Mum did heaps of exploring around Wellington, including past many "ode to the wind" artworks!
These spin around when its windy.

Wellington city lights at sunset

Now that it has brakes that work, after 5 days in the garage, we are getting on a lot better

Flat... um... bonding
(that photos just for you Sarah. That's what happens when you don't sit still for photos)

One of the coolest things we found out, was that Sarah's mum and my mum were in the same uni class in Cape Town! Millions of years ago, well, 34, they sat in an african history class of 8 people, had the same lecturers, protested against the same things... small world! Who would have known that years later they'd have daughters that flat together in NZ of all places.

But now the family's all back in the UK, and New Zealand seems quieter. And less ginger. I've had some quality down time (recovering!) and just enjoying my flat and being with friends. This weekend we're going on a grape escape, wine tasting in Martinborough for Sarah's belated birthday present. Unfortunately the flat has been plagued by cold germs, so we're all being martyrs and fighting them off with the power of mandarins and lots of drugs. On a good note though, no, a fabulous note, the daffodills are blooming marvellously! It's been worth the wait! I am so proud. I have grown 3 :o).... yes, out of 50. But it means spring is here, which is simply awesome.