Kubb craze soon to take over NZ!

This weekend spent some time in the woodshop and made a Kubb set. It's a lawn/yard game that we used to play at summer camp. Developed in Sweeden, and now there is even a world champshionship! Sam and I created a king for the centre of the game with a crown, and a face. Played a few matches over the weekend. Should be good fun for the upcoming summer months :)

Long Weekend in Whangeri

Went up north a few hours to Whangeri/Waipu area for the weeend with some friends. Had really nice weather with bright blue sunny skies and plenty of sun sun sun! A very pretty area of New Zealand.

Waipu is the home of the "double migration" settlement, when the folks from Scotland decided not to stay in Nova Scotia and kept on sailing down under to NZ. I haven't been to the museum yet, saving it for a special trip! But it sure was nice to see the céad míle fáilte sign, and NS flag and take a drive long Nova Scotia Drive :)

Spent the day here at the beach in Waipu Cove
Summer is quickly approaching, the snowboards have been put away and out come the sunscreen!

Turkey in Auckland

Just did a small gathering this year for Thanksgiving. Got a 5kg bird this year (a slight reduction) and had a dozen or so folks around for an evening of Canadian goodness. I think we were actually outnumbered by the British, but that's ok. Brittany and I created a feast and it all went down pretty well. Here are some photos of the preparation & the goods.







Thanks to Grandma for sending the pastry recipe at the last minute.... there would have been no pumpkin pie without it!

Adventures!

I took 3 weeks off work and have been enjoying the New Zealand landscape. Here are the highlights....

My first week of holidays started with a visit from a new friend. Nikki comes to us via Sam & Dan from the UK and was out visiting and touring New Zealand. We took in a visit to Taupo (the big volcanic crater lake in the middle of the north island) Went jet boating to the Huka Falls and relaxed in the natural hot springs.

Week 2 saw a return to Wellington with mate Alison for our second year of World of Wearable Art (WOW) and a bit of shopping in the capital city. Also hit the open seas on the Parker's new sailboat! Sailing was terrific, played rugby on the beach, and saw how much you have to know about wind and water when in control of a vessel.



Week number 3 was spent in the south island hanging out in Queenstown for the week. Hitting the slopes and enjoying the spring sunshine on some fantastic roadtrips.







Spring has definately sprung here in New Zealand, the leaves are on the trees, blue skies and a nice balmy 20 degrees. Just about jandal wearing weather :) Beach days are not far away....

more time on the snow

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more time spent down in the central plateau doing some snowboarding with friends :) Last week even got to spend time on fresh snow :) Check out the photo above with snow on the ground in front of the chateau.... that is a rare thing for it to snow down to such low elevation at the base of the mountain. Made for an awesome day :)
Not much new to report, just enjoying winter activities on days off to make work bearable! Going indoor Rockclimbing this week with some friends from work, should be fun. Spring is just around the corner here, but still plently more days on the snow ahead!

Winter in New Zealand

Winter here is hard to explain to north americans, there is snow only at elevation, and it means we get a lot of rain. Here are some photos from a nice sunny winter day (looks like summer at home!)

So I do get to go snowboarding but the only place that it ever snows is up high in the mountains, we did however have a pretty heavy frost in Taumarunui a few weeks ago.Sam and I went to the high school ball where I met a fellow Xavierian :)

Back on the board!

Winter is in full swing! Rainy days in Auckland mean snow showers at elevation.... here's a couple shots from a recent outing at Mt. Ruapehu. Blue skies and fresh snow, won't be hard to improve on last season ;)

Skating!

I took my little pal Ida skating on her silver blades that came from Canada! She had so much fun, and was very excited as thought I was a real live ice princess! :) She did really well and it won't be long before she can be an ice princess too!

more from Ashcombe....

here's some more photos of the ducks and more flowers from Ashcombe...










They also came runner up in a New Zealand Home and Garden here's what the certificate said "This outstanding lifestyle property has been crafted with a vision that incorporates wide spaces and beautiful pockets of colour and scented wonder. Artwork and releics are displayed throughout, which allows you to pause and reflect before moving on"