Home in May

We hadn't been back to NZ for 18 months and we felt that it was time for a little taste of winter so this year we flew back to Auckland for our two week break at the end of May. It was going to be our first taste of winter in a number of years.

Home sitting, waiting, always where the heart is!

We are always excited when we touch down at Auckland, especially when we know someone is waiting as we walk out through the arrival gate. This time Beth was waiting and before we knew it we driving back to Sandes Street in Thames. It was a few degrees cooler than we have been used to but it was good to be home.

After a couple of days acclimatizing to the first real cold snap of winter in New Zealand we took Dinkie on a road trip to Wellington. The day before the Desert Road had been closed due to Snow. So we planned to give ourselves plenty of time for some photos on the way. 

The view as we drove into Taupo for lunch was one out of the box.

The view across Lake Taupo says it all.

Ngarahoe looked as though it was simmering away as we drove passed it  on the Desert Road.

Ruapehu stood out dressed in its new white cloak.

The Desert Road, State Highway 1, is one of the great drives  and the scenery never gets much better than just after a dump of winter snow. The trick is not to hurry and to take advantage of the numerous pull over area to get well clear of the road. There are always plenty of big trucks rumbling along here so you do have to take care.

We drove all the way down to Wellington to spend a few days catching up with Bradley and Jing Jing. We really wanted to see them in action at the Market. Friday Night we had a great time hanging out in the Wellington Night Market off Cuba Mall. Sampling food and without a doubt we had to say Sichuan Spice was the best on offer.

This is the face of Sichuan Spice

Brad actually did do a lot of stirring on the night

Jing Jing worked solidly. She is amazing as she mixes up the right flavours every time.

Three different levels of Spiciness 1 Claw, 2 Claw or 3 Claw. 

Happy customers tucking in to Sichuan Spice Noodles

You won't get street this good anywhere else outside of China.

We were booked to sail on the Sunday afternoon ferry to go over to Blenheim and spend a few days with Lloyd and Anna.  The idea was that we would spend the morning at the Wellington market watching Bradley and Jing Jing in action doing their Sunday market. However on Sunday the wind arrived and they did not set up it just was not going ot work for them. Lots of other interesting things to look at though.

Markets in Asia are never this orderly.

There was even fresh fish available direct from the boat.

This is the Wellington waterfront near to the market.

Wellington has its own  brand of cityscape. Not quite Hong Kong, but clean and green.

We spent a few days in Blenheim with Lloyd and Anna. It is always great spending time with these two. We couldn't help but get swept up in their passion for this area of New Zealand. We were both enthused by the pleasure they both show with what they are doing and their lifestyle in Marlborough. It was great their little home showing many of the improvements that they have made to it already. Before we knew it we were on the ferry and back in Wellington on our return journey to Thames

Early morning on the Wellington waterfront.

This crane seemed like some kind of monster as they day came to life.

Dawn and the first rays of light.

Shed 6 on the waterfront. Wellington is so lucky to have this area for recreation.

An evening shot across from our hotel in the heart of wellington.

Our next stop on our Road trip was Rotorua to catch up with my Bros. We stopped in at Ians one nigh. It was a good catch up time. Then we had a night with David and yet more of a catch up before we carried on back to Thames for a couple of nights.

Ian is lucky to wake up to this scenery every morning. He lives on the edge of Lake Rotorua.

This photo was taken standing on the path near the door to his house.

I even managed to shoot a mallard Drake. It must be 30 years since i last shot one of these.

Brigid took us out for a stroll at Okere Falls. This is a farm from the road.

These bellbirds were in Taupo and they were very vocal. They were enjoying the winter day.

It will be great when we get to fill in our days fishing and drinking coffee.
This guy has it sorted at Ohau channel, he told us he didn't expect to catch anything.
It was just great to be out and enjoying the day.

Well all good holidays have to come to and end and ours seemed to pas very quickly. However we would have to say it was full of fun and good times. We are lucky to have such a great family and amazing friends back at home. We are sorry we never seem to have time to catch up with you all. But we did think of you all while we were home.

It was great to go home and remember what winter feels like again. 

It was also great to have some quality time with friends and family and to share some of their

successes at home.

Looking forward to the next trip home.