Sunset

Most evenings, if we look up and out the window while we are flossing the girls teeth, we are treated to a spectacular colour show. 

HELP...

Send fly swatters!! Shoo! Shoo! Arghhhhh!

Swimming in the Pacific

I have just returned from a lovely swim in the South Pacific Ocean. It puts me in mind of similar summer days in Canada. In June, Miss B. would beg me to take her swimming at Miracle Beach or at the lake. When I finally gave in, she would rush into the water, regardless of the temperature. I would venture forth more cautiously, first letting my toes numb a bit before wading futher in. As I approached hip depth, I would drag my fingers through the water, trying to adjust to the cold before the inevitable genital shock. If I was able to get past the first shock, I would then brace myself for the nipple-numbing. On a particularly warm day, I might even put my head in the water.

Well, I can't say I miss that experience.

Post-prandial paddle

 

Alana's first solo kayak trip

 

Alana returning from her first kayak trip

 

She smells sea shells...

 

Isn't she lovely

Brenna is displaying the miniature tree she fashioned from Play Dough. Andrew took the photo. 

Its Not Duck

 

I've Been to Paradise...

and I got there all by myself, using my lovely new Christmas gift from Andrew's parents.
They treated the family to kayaks for Christmas. I put mine on a little trolley and walked it down to the boat ramp. From there I paddled to Paradise Point and back to One Tree Point. I returned home to a house full of the scents of Christmas: Turkey in the oven, Christmas Pine tree and the sight of my children playing cricket on the lawn. Christmas in the summer is not so bad.

Christmas Ducks

 

Christmas Morning Round of Cricket

 

Under the Natural Bridge at Waitomo

 

Site of the old Marae in Waitomo. The landscape is littered with karst sinkholes. One entrance to the longest explored cave in New Zealand is in the copse of trees in the lower left of the picture. 

Near Waitomo Caves

Andrew was down at the Waitomo Noho Marae for work; some work. 

NZ's natural Christmas Tree

This is a picutre of one of the many Puhutukawa trees on the beach across the road from our house. They bloom red for Christmas. You can check out Wendy's blog for the Aussie ideas of Christmas. Here in New Zealand the attitude is a bit cheeky as exemplified in this Kiwi Christmas song:

Christmas on the Beach

We don't want no holly or mistletoe.
We don't want no Christmas tree with artificial snow.
We don't want no snowman made of cotton wool.
We're not a bunch of fools

Christmas on the beach. Christmas on the beach.
Pack your picnic hamper up, we're gonna have a feast
Underneath the huge Pohutukawa tree.
Christmas on the beach

We don't want no reindeer.
We don't want no sleigh.
We just want some sunshine and a good old holiday.
We don't want to suffocate in our shoes and socks.
We don't want to sit around the box.

Christmas on the beach, Christmas on the beach.
Pack your picnic hamper up, we're gonna have a feast
Underneath the huge Pohutukawa tree.
Christmas on the beach

 

School Flower Show: Sand Saucer

 

Our Christmas Windsock

 

Our NZ Christmas Pine smells good!

 

Camp Day Christmas Concert

Barefeet are the norm even in the classroom.

Brenna at the Beach

Surf's up just outside Andrew's office.

Alana at Halloween

Trick or Treat?!

Life in the Winterless North

Brenna and Alana have returned from an afternoon at the beach to start some Christmas crafts. I find the change in seasons the most jarring aspect of our new life down under.

We have been here since September. A merger of two aquaculture companies resulted in the evaporation of Andrew's job in Canada. Gosh, too bad, we were forced to move to the North Island of New Zealand, to an area known as the winterless north.

Our daughters, Brenna (6) and Alana (4) are thrilled with their new lives. They particularly like the barefoot culture here. Shoes are not even required in schools. The beautiful white sandy beach across the street and quiet street to live on are also appreciated. We are in a rural area populated largely by dairy cows. However, the beaches are stunning and the weather is fine (a term used in the forecasts).

As Canadians we are delighted that our new garden will feature citrus trees, avocado, perhaps an olive tree and any kind of flower we choose to plant. We have purchased a house and move to it in March. Our house in Canada is still on the market (any takers?). Currently we are renting a new house in a housing development that includes a ninehole golf course and tennis courts. There is also a resident family of ducks. We are across the street from the beach and a km from the school. We are in a village with limited services but do have access to all the basic necessities. For anything else we can go to town, just 30 km up the highway. Auckland is 2 hours south of us if we need a big city fix (more shops, fewer cows).

Our new neighbours exemplify the hospitality that New Zealanders are renowned for and we have been made very welcome. I think part of this is that many of the residents are immigrants themselves. Our new friends are from Australia, England, the US and even Canada. I'm not sure where the cows are from.

Andrew is pleased with his new job and the girls are settling well into school. As for me, I am delighted to have discovered a belly dancing class in town and am continuing to pursue this one minor passion of mine.

We are slowly exploring our new country. Our latest adventure involved a short drive up in the hills to the Waipu Caves. These are large enough to walk comfortably in. Just inside you are treated to amazing stalactites and stalagmites. Venture further and turn off the torches and look up. The roof of the cave is decorated with glowworms. Their blue sparkle transforms the darkness into a celestial art form. Outside the caves the limestone rock formations offered a perfect site for the girls to practice their rock climbing technique. Fortunately, Andrew had brought along the ropes, harnesses and helmets (and a beer for me). A short walk back across the field (sheep not cows) and were on our way home again.