Easter Holidays

Amy went to her friend Olive's for five days whilst Donna and I travelled down to Kaiteriteri near Nelson, for a Hash House Harriers Event. This is Kaiterititeri Beach and Nearby Split Apple Rock which we walked to.

After five glorious days, the weather turned as Amy and Olive flew into Nelson, flying as unaccompanied minors, dropped off in Wellington by Olive's dad and collected by us. We managed a few outdoor activities along with indoor ones on the worst days. Here the hydroslide at Tahunanui Beach, Nelson.

The geographical centre of New Zealand, Nelson, with Olive

The Other Havelock

At the far end of the 'Snout', Picton.

Summer Holidays

Some belated photos from our recent holiday in the south island. Swimming and kayaking at Okiwi Bay in the Marlborough Sounds.

Driving practice at Tahuna Beach campsite Nelson.

Momorangi, Marlborough Sounds.

Cable Bay Skywire near Nelson - the world's longest flying fox at 1.5km, or just under a mile in old money..

Cable Bay.

Spooners Tunnel, south of Nelson - the longest decommissioned rail tunnel in the southern hemisphere. That's not the light at the end of the tunnel - you can't see that due to the hump in the middle, it's a bike light of someone else coming through.

Quinney's Bush Camp - a bit further south from the tunnel, on the Motupiko River.

Amy takes a dive.

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.