Dear all,
Well I hope you’re all enjoying the lovely summer weather. It’s getting pretty nippy over here but the sun is shining today, thankfully! I know it’s been months since I’ve updated the site so I’m going to have to give some very edited highlights!
The first thing of importance to happen after our last update was Alice’s arrival. We had a great time catching up and doing the main Wellington sites….
We really enjoyed having her to stay and she gave a much-needed (!) boost to the wine business of New Zealand!
Our next visitor arrived shortly afterwards in the shape of Tina. While I met up with Tina in Martinborough (and while I was being treated to a night in the v swanky Martinborough hotel) Alan did the Tongariro Crossing - a walk across a National Park in central North Island. Looks like he had fun (although I think I was happier coiffing wine)…
We went for a trip to Castlepoint, which was gloriously sunny and got to explore the city at night...
We had a trip away at Easter up to Tongariro….
…and went walking on Mount Ruapehu. We couldn’t go all the way up as it was too icy but managed to get above the cloud…
We then headed off to Lake Taupo..
And to see the amazing Huka Falls….
We’ve also managed to get out and about around Wellington – I’ve been wanting to walking in the Kaitoke National Park all year so we managed to squeeze that in…
We’ve also enjoyed seeing Nicky and Ben since they’ve been living in Wellington.
Nicky and I have particularly enjoyed our girls’ nights out where we can talk about make up and kitten heels to our heart’s content without lots of eye rolling from the boys. Although we did do our bit by accompanying the menfolk to a rugby match which was really quite exciting!
Other than that, we’ve had an abortive attempt to climb Mount Holdsworth where we had to come down as I thought I’d left the iron on. I kid you not (you can imagine the endless mocking I’ve received).
We also had a trip to Wanganui last weekend with one of Alan’s friends from work, Sam. His parents have a farm in Wanganui so a few of us went to stay for the long weekend. Had a great time jet boating and clay pigeon shooting.
The jet boating was particularly good. The Wanganui river is stunning - runs through a gorge so cliffs on either side and the river is so still its like a mirror. There are also rapids in other parts, which is very exciting to go speeding through on the jet boat. Although we did have a minor crisis on the way back when we hit some rocks!! All very exciting - once we'd established that no-one was overboard and no parts of the boat were floating downstream - but was mighty chilly for those that ended up in the water trying to manoeuvre the boat off the rocks. Which was everyone but me!!
We also enjoyed seeing the “Bridge to Nowhere” which was built for the settlers in the area to cross the river around the time that all the settlers upped and left. Helpful!
So not too long for us to go now – we leave the house in just over a week so our last weekend just so happens to be my birthday weekend. So we get to do what I want!! We’re staying around Wellington I think – watching the football in the middle of the night (hang on. That’s what Alan wants to do! Rats).
Anyway, we arrive back in the UK on 29 July so we’ll see you soon!
Christie and Alan.