Gabrielle

The aftermath of cyclone Gabrielle. This is the tree that brushed our window on the way down about 2am on Valentines Day.

The tree which fell on the neighbour's house, thankfully causing no damage but blocking the drive to 53 and 55a.

Greenwood Road above our house.

Greenwood Reserve, not normally a lake, looking towards our house.

The normally tranquil Tekahika Stream in the higher bit of the reserve.

Finally, the Tekahika Stream at the bottom of the garden. Normally dry at this time of year at this point!

 

First Day at Intermediate School

 New School, another New Uniform.

Where did the last six years go?

Looking very grown up.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Greenwood Road.

Santa's been.

 

Al fresco lunch

Our outdoor Christmas tree - the first Pohutukawa bloom since a severe haircut.

End of an Era

A few pics from Amy's last few weeks at primary school. We went yachting in Napier - here she is with Olive in an Optimist on Pandora Pond.

School Triathlon.

Peak Trailblazers. With Olive.

With Nuelle and their Kowhai trees after the end of term assembly.

Sunrise Hut

School holiday trip up to Sunrise Hut - about 1.5 hours drive from here to the start of the walk. We found a bit of snow on the way so Amy and Olive had to build a snowman!

Room with a view.

Beds for the night

Sunrise over Hastings

Harry Potter Studio Tour

The highlight of Amy's trip to England. For none Potter fans, this is Amy drinking butterbeer by the Knight Bus.

This way to Platform 9 and 3/4

 

Amy manages to rescue Helga Hufflepuff's cup from the vault at Gringott's Bank.

September

Still in England it's been such a warm summer here we had to find some indoor activities - this is Jump Inc in Sheffield.

Baking outdoors and baking indoors! Amy is getting really good with cakes.

 

Back In England

Escaping the NZ winter now the borders are finally open. Unfortunately some of the toys seem to have shrunk since we were last here.

With Grandma and Grandad.

Holmebrook Valley Park

With Malcolm and Bruno in Northampton.

 

June 22 - a bit late!

New passport time and here's the photo to prove it!

 Lining up at the start of the Hawke's Bay Schools' Orienteering Championships Relay. Amy came in a close second on the first leg, but they didn't stay there!

Looking out for a team member.

 

Te Mata Park

Orienteering with Olive - I don't think there's a control here!

...or here!

 

Easter Holidays

At Laingholm Beach, West Auckland with Sonia and Charlie on one of the few fine days on our latest trip. Unfortunately the weather limited us to lots of indoor activities so not many photos taken. The weather had been much better up there than in Hawke's Bay for the last month or so. We did actually get a swim in later in the day though at a nicer beach a bit further along the coast.

Back in the bay and glorious weather.

Waimarama Beach.

At Waimarama Beach.

Waimarama Beach flying fox with Lucy and Olive (out of shot.)
 

Belated Birthday

Not a belated celebration just a late posting. Pizza at home with Casey and Olive, followed by two hours of bouncing around at Flipout, then back home for cake and sleepover.

Winter checks out the pizza.