A busy week

After the trip to the bird sanctuary on Tiri Tiri Matangi we have a had a busy week. Claire and Graham came over for a night on their two month trip over from the UK. Their photographs of Stewart Island ( did I spell that right?) and Wakatane are beautiful. Makes me want to go and explore some of the place we are living. It was lovely to see them and show them our home. Given the wonders they have seen on their travels, it was nice to see their response to our little piece of paradise. Not sure Roo was so impressed, given that Graham broke his gun (from the $3 dollar shop so hardly a big deal). Graham was however made to make up for it by play fighting with Reuben for hours!! Reuben really loves having men around.

The next day we had Jess and Cameron for the day. Most of it was spent with a hosepipe on the trampoline as the Council had stuck a water quality warning on the beach. The four kids get on so well. It is so easy when they are around as they all look after each other and unlike some of their friends there is very little falling out.

Then on Saturday Anton went off to be in a VW commercial, courtesy of his "Background talent' job. We had the onorous task of walking Storm the Newfoundland, whilst Debs and Chris were in Taupo, crashing his bike!! Storm is a gem, so well behaved and placid. I walked her alone in the evening, off the lead and she was a joy to be with. We even paddled in the stream. Well she did, I just got bitten by mozzies!


It was Anniversary Weekend in Auckland, so a bit of a bank holiday. We did Titirangi market and Bethells, which just gets better every time we visit. I have found a blog with a list of the 1001 books you must read before you die. I found I have only read 74 out of them so I have a current aim of getting to 100, starting with Casino Royale ( which Caitlin has now purloined!)

We have now got Granny staying for a week and a half, a long way to come for a short visit. It really is lovely to see her. It just seems strange seeing her in a different place. The children are absolutely beside themselves that she is here. They have hardly been sleeping over the last few nights. Roo is desperate to show her his forward flips on the trampoline and Caitlin just wants lots of cuddles and attention. They have already been swimming in the creek.