What Else!!!!!!!!! and misc stuff

No trip ever goes un-noticed without finding a few craft goodies - just look at the caravan die I found I just love it although our van does not look quite like that I still love it.

Grandad and Rory checking out fishing gear on the tablet. 

The below photo is a gorgeous mug that Rory gave me for Christmas it has the word LOVE written on the inside - I sure do love it.

Angela's garden

Just a few photos of my sister Angela's garden it is stunning she is an avid lilly and rose fan, the family are currently out of their house as it is finally have major repairs after the dreadful earthquakes, alot of upheaval however once repaired it will be like a brand new home. Tell me she does not have my dad's green finger's I inherited them also thankfully - love the garden.

The Lemon Tree Cafe

10th January

The Saturday before I left I along with Rory we took the Black Peril back to Ang and Martins,where Ang and I then walked outside looking at her beautiful flowers. It was then time for us to head into town to the Lemon Tree Cafe where we met Yasmine and had a catch up before Yas took me back to her place. Angela told us about this lovely little cafe it is so quaint and was really lovely with so many old things from an era gone by. We had a lovely coffee and bite to eat before we said our goodbyes. 

 

 

Goodbye Grandad

Brian flew home a week earlier than I did. As we were to be house sitting for our friends Helen and David Waldron, however they had a glitch and that never happened so Brian headed back to take the van to Sunseeker Village for a week before we moved to "Big 4 Waterfront Holiday Park Caloundra. The day arrived to take Brian to the airport where we said our goodbyes.

Almost time to leave

Well with Christmas/New Year over we are starting to think about returning back to Aussie. We have had a brilliant time catching up with most of the family which was great, once again thanks Martin and Ang for the loan of the Black Peril appreciated it so much. One of the highlights was catching up with my old Governor's School friend Vivienne Gaggler (Sprosen) we are in contact regularly as Vivienne and her family live in Melbourne,  it was so great that Viv and her husband Hans were able to meet up with Brian and I at the motel. They had to come up from Timaru to meet their daughter at the airport as they were all spending Christmas/New Year with mum in Timaru.

 

 

Governor's Bay and "The She Cafe" - " she chocolat"

8th  January

We made a couple of trip to Governor's Bay to the cemetry. Brian and I made a trip over before Christmas then Yasmine,Rory and I went over another day, took his fishing line for a play around. The weather was not brilliant and the tide was out but he played around and fossicked along the rocks picking up shells and Yas driftwood to make her garden hangings, we saw them at Akaroa and they were just shells and driftwood and they wanted over $50 for them, I said to Yas you could make your own,so fossicking for bits we did go. It was then time for lunch so we made our way back up the hill and parked outside the school where I saw the most amazing sight some native Woodpigeons feeding on some plums in the front garden of a house, what an amazing sight, the "She Chocolat" is always a stop off for us when we go to the Bay.  The chocolate stiletto's are made of solid chocolate. All the chocolate sold on the premises is made on the premises.

Man that was a great hot chocolate nana - thank you xxxxx

 

A Day trip To Akaroa

January 4th 

Yasmine took us over to Akaroa for a day it was stunning the weather was top notch and to add to the fun Rory managed to catch 3 fish on his new fishing rod that Grandma Rose and Grandad Mark had given him for Christmas. We had a great lunch of fresh cooked fish and chips so cheap compared to Aussie and enough for 6 of us. On the way home we made a stop at Barry's Bay where I picked up a couple of cheeses to bring back with me. A great day had by all very tired at the end of it, but as we had not been there in years it was a great day. We had fresh Fish and Chips for lunch and sat under the Pohutakawa trees that were in flower beside the wharf. After lunch Yasmine,Rose and I went for a stroll through the shops while Rory and Grandad went fishing. Rory got a fishing rod for Christmas and he caught 3 fish, he was so excited.

Welcome to Akaroa and the Bays

Just 75 kilometres from the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, Akaroa is a historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Explore the village with its colonial architecture, galleries, craft stores, and cafés. Relax or take part in the many activities that are on offer. Explore the dramatic outer bays and take your time to soak in the magic of this area. A wide range of accommodation is available and you will need more than a day to explore this little piece of paradise.

Local Information

Akaroa is Maori for Long Harbour. The village is snuggled into a wide bay on the eastern side of the rugged harbour with Onuku Marae a little further south. The permanent population of around 700 in this historic village swells significantly over summer. With a bank, fuel station, pharmacy, doctor, general store, police station, postal services, churches, marae, visitor centre and council service centre, Akaroa is the main service centre for the inner harbour and the outer bays of Banks Peninsula. A multitude of sports, arts and cultural events throughout the year attracts locals and visitors to this relaxed seaside resort.