Birthdays and Beaches

14 years old. How did that happen?

Ocean beach north end near Cape Kidnappers. We cycled about 15 km return, just to see how far we could get, but it was harder work than we imagined.

Feb 2026

Refreshment stop at Peak House, just over half way on our Sunday morning walk. It's all downhill from here!

Since I missed a January post, here are some photos from last month. Belatedly celebrating 25 years since we met, in Taupo.

Taupo sunset.

Unexpected find in Taupo botanical gardens. When we saw it on the map we assumed it was to Francis Drake, but it turned out to be to a couple who did a lot of conservation work in this area.

Ready for first day of school, with Eva and Ruby.

Cat hard at work on the laptop

Happy New Year from Greenwood Road

A quiet Christmas at home this year, with Nana joining us for a few days then taking Amy to Auckland for a week or so, whilst we paint the house. Some days away in the motorhome hopefully before school starts back.

November

No photos of Amy this month so some out and about shots. This was taken from up the Peak yesterday, with snow just about visible on Mount Ruapehu, under the clouds just right of centre.

Sunset from the top of our garden three nights ago.

From almost the top of the peak last week, looking over the Tukituki Valley to the ocean.

Marine Parade, Napier, with Cape Kidnappers in the distance.

 

October

Ok this one was last month at the Sunshine Brewery in Gisborne, but if you want some Amy shots....

Sunset last night from the top of our garden.

Out and about, up the peak and in the village.

 

Our house almost hidden behind the cherry trees

Spring Break

A few days away during the first week of the school holidays. We took the motor home up the coast. This is Opoutama near Mahia. With a water temperature of about 13 degrees centigrade and a maybe slightly warmer air temperature, only one of us was tempted by the water.

On top of Mokotahi Hill, Mahia Beach.

 

Gisborne

Sunshine Brewery, Gisborne.

Tolaga Bay Wharf

Tokomaru Bay

Back in NZ

A few shots taken up the peak this week.

BIt of snow on top of the Ruahines.