Family Frivolities during Spring

A week in Taranaki catching up with the old folk.. 

 Rob & Jeanette arrived in Waitara after a week in Nelson

 Murray, Eunice & Jack

 Russell & Debs, and we had a ride in the 39er to the gospel meeting

Managed to get in on Boston's 1st birthday :)

 And of course the Mabels had a few chin wags - without the chins!!

The day I got home we settled on the neighbouring property that we'll call The Gatehouse for now.  Meeting with architects tomorrow to commence work on planning and site for some small townhouses.  Front entrance with large magnolia tree

 Looking from the back of the property

 The kitchen decor is almost in vogue again !!

 Dining Room looking through to Lounge on Left and conservatory to right

 mmm mmm the beauty parlour

Pauline Eric & Dianne came down for a weekend to celebrate Uncle Ern French's 90th birthday in Hope.  Last remaining relative of the Ruth Flowerday siblings.  He was spritely.

A few of the well known cuzzies ..  all wearing black with a splash of bright colour on a very wintry day.

Amy, Matt & James came for a visit to catch up with Jacob who is growing and smiling fast

 The cousins in the old shed at The Gatehouse

 Family Flowerday

 Peeping Jim

 Not sure why Matt's frowning so much - they were leaving ?!  Could be just Nelson's bright sunshine perhaps.

Then this past week we've caught up with Rachel and Levi twice for dinner

 Dave made a Pavlova that managed to give Jodie some envy

 Ike thought it was 'amazing'

 Jake was pretty content with his lot

A beautiful large standard rose from The Gatehouse.  Probably picked about 30 roses off it so far..

 Rhododendron 'Elizabeth' is blooming loverly again

 Seedling poppies

 Espalier Apple in blossom

And the very pruned rose is managing some lovely yellow

 My first peonies out

 And the first rose down the walkway

 Large rhododendron in the shrubbery corner

 And the wisteria over the gate behind the house

Labour Day BBQ lunch.  Note the bright sunshine Taranaki-ites and Auckland-ites !!

Mark & Jodie left after lunch- they'd had all they could get by then :)  Still smiling after 8 months

 Jacob was fair bouncing around

Till next time..

A Winter Interlude ... FIJI

Early Monday morning hanging about at International

 Land ahoy at Nadi

BULA!!  Left ear for available, right if not - greeting given at the resort

 Palm trees, Hibiscus and flowers everywhere

 Looking through the entrance from within the resort

Late lunch with fruit smoothie

 What shall we eat

Some enjoyed Mexican fajitas

 Waiting for a table another night

 Worth waiting for - whole baby piggy back ribs

 I had some veges!

Stuart, Kate and I had a day out on a tiny south sea island - walk around in 5 minutes

Greeted by the locals as we come ashore - they have beautiful singing voices

It was a very tough day all day long, nothing to do but snack, drink and read a book

 Beach babes were everywhere

 This man spent all day in the hot sun raking up piles of coral, which he will then dig holes to bury so its nicer for us to walk on the sand

Stuart decided to learn the trade

 Synchronised kayaking

The next sequence is pretty self explanatory - how to get in (and out again) of hammock - all the while uncontrollably giggling!

Watching the sunset as we left the island

Sunday lunch with Eldon along the beachfront

 Piggyback afterwards

Last night on the way to The Cross restaurant to dine in style at sunset

 Entree Prawns

 Pumpkin flowers

 Scallops

 a small sorbet between courses

My eye fillet with a $12 side of carrots - all 10 sticks (they were beautiful)

 and Kates decadent Chocolate desert

 A very moving farewell song sung to us in harmonies as they knew it was our last evening

Await the taxi back to airport - Bula Bus just leaving - how we travelled into Port Denarau

 Kate and I shared the back seat :)

And the final farewell song as we pass through the gates BULA!

 James needed his dog most of the week and all the way home!

 How ever you say it ... it all comes out the same!

 Hello Egmont ranges on the way home - just a light brush of snow

 And over the Nelson boulder bank - nice frosty morning to arrive home