Friday 11 December 2015

6km bike ride in morning.  Another productive day of colouring, knitting and reading.  Overcast in morning but cleared to a very hot afternoon.  

Barbara and Steve Smith also staying here.  

Xmas lights on Julie and Malcolm's house.  

Driftwood Xmas tree with solar fairy lights. 

Thursday 10 December 2015

A relaxing day.  A bit of colouring, some knitting, a couple of NW (too windy to bike) and a visit from Jack and Liam who brought two big red grasshoppers for us to eat.  

Lunch under the awning with Lizzie, Jack and Liam.  Had to put awning down mid-afternoon because wind was getting stronger.  

Once again, a beautiful sunset. 

Wednesday 9 December 2015

Overcast cool morning to the start of my birthday celebration. Julie attacking the thistle heads.  Malcolm attaching Christmas lights to front of house.  

Took picture of this house precariously perched on the coast south of Ngawi.  Chris has been wanting to photograph this each time we've come here.  We headed into Martinborough, Greytown and Carterton for some retail therapy. Stopped off at Lake Ferry for Lizzie to reminisce. 

Tuesday 8 December 2015

Unbelievable weather in Ngawi.  No wind and beautiful sunshine.  Lizzie and I both got a bit sunburnt.  Chris and I went for morning bike rides.  Lizzie went for walk.

Helped Julie re-assemble driftwood Christmas trees.  I supervised. Chris drilled holes in extra branches. Second

tree had sprayed-gold shells on it.  Lunch under awning.  

 Chris and Lizzie on lighthouse steps. 

Chris made it to top of steps again.  Then we went and visited seal colony. 

After dinner I went for a walk. Beautiful sunset.  Malcolm and Julie got outside Christmas lights up.  Julie decorated inside tree as well. 

Monday 7 December 2015

Nordic Walk along Petone foreshore this morning. 

Travelled over to Ngawi via Featherston.  Beautiful day at Ngawi when we arrived. 

Sunday 6 December 2015

Picked Lizzie up from Leigh's in Haumoana, and headed off for Wellington.  Had lunch at Reserve at the Woodville end of Manawatu Gorge.  Arrived at Petone foreshore at about 3.30 pm.   Strong breeze which abated later in evening.   

Sunday 22 November 2015

Chris, Ben and boys went to Big Boys Toys in Palmerston North.  Three generations of Nuttall males.  Stopped off at Dave's Den in Dannevirke.  Models to suit all ages.   

Saturday 21 November 2015

After having only been home from our Auckland travels for one night, we put the legs up again and headed over to NZMCA Park in Eriksen Road which was having its official opening on Saturday 21 November 2015.  Chris had been over visiting Robin and Jenny Benton (forum members - Romany Rambler) and had met up with Derek Brownrigg (NZMCA Board member from Hastings) and Derek had mentioned about the opening.   It had not been widely publicised.   Stayed at the Park on Friday night.  Saturday morning dawned reasonably fine except for a very strong and chilly wind.  Opening was at 2pm and was opened by the Mayor of Napier.    Since the current mayor has been in office, great headway has been made in Napier with facilities for motorhomers re freedom camping.  We travelled back to Watson Road about 4pm.   

Saturday, 14 November 2015

Went to Lisl's house-warming/birthday celebrations at Kuku Street then through to Ngongotaha NZMCA on Saturday and Sunday nights.  Visited David Keighley in hospital.  Also had initial meeting with Mark re forum. Through to Ardmore NZMCA for one night then on to RSA Silverdale on Tuesday night. Stopped off at Tim and Winie's for morning tea after a slow trip on the "southern car park".  Successful trip to AA Solar re replacement of solar panels.   Picked up Ben's drone at Drury.  Then overnight at Taupo NZMCA.  Morning tea with Smillie and Grant on Thursday and then home.   Hilltop cafe closed on way home.