Finding natural treasures on the beach after wild winter storms. Moments in the sun, despite cold winter chills. Hearing the day-dreams of my daughter, which bring a smile to my face and warm my heart, ‘I’m going to have a boat one day and you can sail with me Mummy’. Messages of adventure from family […]
Walks
Winter haul out time at Red Rocks
It’s haul out time at Red Rocks for bachelors that have been out-suited by more dominant male seals. They are making the most of basking on the rocks, resting up through the winter months. Up to 150 of them will spend the winter months on the Capital’s South Coast. Today, Sophie, Alice and I made […]
These boots were made for walking
The weather was glorious at the weekend, perhaps a little too warm for what I chose to wear on my feet… but new boots demanded ‘walking in’ and I was too KEEN to resist! As much as I love fashion boots, I’m just not a city slicker these days. Better to face the facts and […]
School Pick-up – the scenic route
Yesterday saw a return of the glowing ball in the sky, minus a southerly Antarctic chill. Since the clocks turned back at the weekend the weather has gone typically unpredictable. One day it is blowing a gail, pelting down horizontal rain and knocking toddlers off their feet, the next it’s warm enough to ditch the […]
New Year’s Day 2011: Starting the Year on a Positive Foot
This morning we made the most of a cooler day, with cloudy shade, and set off on a local walk at Te Raekaikau Point: Te Ranga a Hiwi Track. The last time we did this walk we hoped to find our way through the bush and come out at Princess Bay – but got completely lost and […]
Signing off from the Pennine Way
We’re so proud of my sister (aka Aunty Claire to the girls) who completed the Pennine Way at the weekend, with Chicken Grandma & Granddad supporting her along the way. Chicken Grandma reckons she could write a book on ‘Granny goes Youth Hosteling!’ We have missed talking to them on the phone and on Skype […]
Snapshots from the Pennine Way
My sister is nearing the end of her fortnight walking the Pennine Way (see earlier posts here and here) and I have been thinking so much of her as she strides out each day, whilst I sit in the night time of the Southern Hemisphere feeding Alice. The updates from my Dad have been greatly […]
So proud of my sister!
The Pennine Way updates from my Dad continue… I received an e-mail this morning to say my sister has ran over 24 miles, from Malham to Hawes, with a friend in about 5 1/2 hours! The photo below shows my Dad waiting on the tops near Hawes for my sister (photo taken by Mum). Pen-Y-Ghent […]
Because
She left the breakfast dishes with guilty abandonement. She knew she had an hour, if she was lucky. She wasn’t really dressed warm enough, but baby Alice was already strapped to her chest, so she grabbed a blanket and wrapped it snug around them both. ‘Exercise and fresh air; both high on the list of […]
Otari-Wilton’s Bush
Hidden only 5 kilometres from Wellington City is a large area of original native forest known as Otari-Wilton’s Bush. Weaving through 100 hectares of ancient and regenerating bush are 14 kilometres of track to explore. Classified as a Garden of National Significance by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, Otari-Wilton’s Bush is home to […]
A rugged walk with wild views
It’s been a while since we’ve walked around Breaker Bay. The other week I drove past with the girls and they both asked to do the walk, but I wanted to wait till the weekend and share it with Dan. We like to start at Churchill Park. There’s a children’s playground, toilets and a memorial […]
Patience, Concentration and Motivation
All these virtues were met with reward on Sunday. Patience was Charli waiting a year to grow the 110cm minimum height requirement to go on the simulator rides at Te Papa museum; The Deep Ride and The High Ride. On Sunday morning the tape measure did not lie. It revealed the extra Weet-bix in the […]
When Walking Becomes REAL Walking
Every parent vividly and proudly recalls the day their offspring took those first, tentative steps. A whole new world suddenly opens up to a child (and the parent!). But, when walking becomes REAL walking, of the one to two hour, no complaints, hiking variety, there is real cause for rejoicing. In the past week Charlotte […]
Adventures in the Southern Headlands Reserve
We took the girls on an adventure today, to the Southern Headlands Reserve, Houghton Bay, Wellington. A short ten-minute walk from our home we enjoy the most stunning views of the Southern Coast. Charlotte loved walking through the long grasses and trees, towering over her head. She was a real little explorer and busy looking […]