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....