Amy's 5th Birthday

Cake Number 1 for her Birthday

Cake Number 2 for the party

Back Home

 After 11 months away, we're finally back in our house.

Around the East Cape

Otarawairere Bay, Ohope

Heading home the long way, via the East Cape - the easternmost point in New Zealand.

Ohope and Ohiwa Harbour entrance from Ohiwa

Motu River

 

Waihau Bay

From East Cape looking south.

East Cape Road

 

Back in NZ

 Not quite the trip back we planned. Fog in Birmingham and Amsterdam meant flight delays and an impossible connection to Singapore, so instead of KLM we ended up on Emirates to Dubai and straight through to Auckland on the longest flight in the world - 17 hours, after an hour's delay on the runway in Dubai because of fog! It did get us to Auckland a day early, but we missed out on our nice relaxing overnight stop in Singapore. Here we are at Mairangi Bay in Auckland.

 Takapuna Beach, Auckland.

With Anabel, Adele and Lucy in their pool in Tauranga.

Christmas

A snack for Santa

He's been!

Not everyone is so excited.

 

December

Bonfire NIght

On top of Thorpe Cloud above Dovedale with the Ashbourne Hash House Harriers.

First Fireworks

October

Even dad needs help blowing out the candles at his age.

September

 Grandmas Birthday

Who can resist a flying fox, especially when it's in John's garden?

First day at school

Ballet

We've not got a clue where she got the idea from, but the little miss was insistent she wanted to do ballet, so here she is all dressed up in the new ballet outfit - she's already outgrown one and she's only had half a dozen lessons.

Getting ready to start school

For the benefit of our non UK readers, you start school here at the beginning of the academic year in which you turn five, which means Amy starts school next month. How scary. However it does mean 30 hours of free childcare a week!

June 2016

 Finally back in our other home, almost three months after leaving Woodend. Making 'Frozen' cupcakes.

In the Wharf at Bugbrooke, Northants, with Mina, Omar, Rashid, Chris, Andy, Malcolm David, and Bruno the dog.

Back in England

 England in May. A bit of a shock to the system after the heat of Malaysia. Time for lots of indoor activities again, like baking with Aunty Sue.

Indoor Play at the Pub

Mummy's Birthday, but at her age she needs help with the candles.

Northampton Beer Festival - a few to choose from

Almost outdoors. The locals, Malcolm and Chris don't feel the cold

Waiting for Dinner

Penang, Malaysia

Boat trip to Monkey Beach

First Horse Ride

BBQ at the beach

Relaxing by the pool

Dinner at the Spice Gardens with our hosts Wayne, Jen and Travis