Shortly after breakfast, with Sophie in her PJ’s, the girls teamed up and started moving their painting equipment out onto the driveway. When I asked what they were doing, they simply said, ‘Painting pea-pods!’.
Here they are in action… I just love the way they are so creative and work so well together to come up with the most amazing ideas. Oh, how I’d love to while away the morning painting pea-pods – but it was delightful nevertheless – even if I was merely the paint supplier and fetcher of fresh water and more paper!
They whiled away the morning in perfect sisterly harmony. We also had the absolute pleasure of the company of local friends for morning tea, who have a lovely son and a beautiful 5-week old baby girl! They brought with them home-made shortbread biscuits – deliciously buttery! The girls were fabulous and we made up banana and berry smoothies, played in the garden and painted (some more!).
Meanwhile, poor Dan was sick in bed (and I knew he was sick, because he turned down a game of golf with Mark!).
By early afternoon, I was itching to get out to the beach. We headed down to Lyall Bay with our neighbour and friends. The girls delighted playing with the older children and making new friends on the beach too. A perfect holiday atmosphere. They even made an animal friend, a dog called Sheba. She was the most intelligent, delightful dog. She loved playing with children and kept dropping a stick, in turn, to each of the girls – never once forgetting whose turn it was next – incredible! The lady looking after her told me that Sheba had recently spent an amazing time swimming off the Mahia Peninsula with the very friendly local dolphin, Moko.
By 4.30pm the girls were ready to head back, at least that’s what they told me, but once in the car they asked if we could go round to Scorching Bay! Why the hell not, I thought!
So we spent a delightful, early, evening at one of Wellington’s very best beaches, Scorching Bay. Alas, Chocolate Fish Cafe no more, but the new one still offers a good coffee and ice-cream, as well as a rich menu of food, but it’s just not the same without the painted-chairs, incredibly personable staff and quirky decorations. The new cafe is called Scorch-O-Rama and there’s a review here in the Dominion Post. It didn’t have the same ambiance, but the service was very friendly and prompt – and the all important coffee worked a treat!
In the rock-pools the girls delighted in finding starfish, sea-snails and baby hermit crabs.
And of course… ice-cream and coffee was high on the agenda! Sophie spent most of the time climbing and singing, ‘Mamma Mia’ – which was met with a response of, ‘Here we go again,’ and resulted in a bunch of children, hanging like monkeys, singing Abba songs! Meanwhile, Charlotte was so happy, in her own little world, building dams and digging in the sand.
Yep – WE LOVE SUMMER!
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Get well soon Dan….meanwhile your girls sure had fun !! Peace and quiet for you Dan and summer joys for the girls. Just magic ..we woke up to a very heavy frost….looks beautiful in the sunshine here but brrrr !
Wish I could package up some warmth in a box and fly it over to you 🙂 Keep rugged up and enjoy those moments of sunshine. Love you so much, Sarah x
Me too! We haven’t been out and about much, (trying to avoid the holiday crowds), but the girls have been living in the pool. Brilliant. I’m going to have to try that cafe!
Hi lovey, so good to just chill out. We’ve been doing a lot of that in our own back-yard, as town is pretty busy with holiday makers and children on school hols. Ventured into the museum a few times, but it’s ‘hold on to your children and let them know where to go if they get lost’ time! Sarah x
I love summer holidays too – am so envious of the long free days – feels like it’s getting dark at lunchtime here!
Today was the first day back at school after christmas – we woke up to a good covering of snow – felt very sorry for Anya she just want to play snowball fights.
Enjoy the sun – let the girls stay up extra late for us!
PS – meant to say that my children call yours the “doughnut girls” – Patch is looking over my shoulder pointing at the photos saying is that “doughnut Sophie”. They remember you visiting and bringing food with you!
That’s hilarious! ‘The doughnut girls’, mmm, I mentioned it to them and their reactions were quite low key and a little perplexed looking (mind you they have recently watched the old version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so their minds are filled with being turned into all sorts of things! ha, ha!).
Arrr, poor Anya – won’t the school let them have snow-ball fights at lunch hour?! Where’s all the fun gone hey? Hopefully you get so much snow that school will be canceled and then she can really let rip!
Hugs to you all, Sarah x
WOW, fantastic pictures Sarah, they really capture the moment. Your girls have such fun together. What happy memories for them and you!
JT x
Awwww, thanks Julie. It sure is a lot of fun making and capturing the moments! Sarah x
Hi Sarah
still enjoying your fabulous blog – I sent you a message a few months ago (my husband living here and i’m moving down shortly) but here at the minute and loving it – we were at scorching bay on sunday too with friends and some were lamenting the passing of the chocolate fish too, esp hubbie!! but did have a ‘spider’ which i haven’t had in ages – they don’t happen too often on a menu – My indulgence for the day.
Your photos are great photos too and reading your blog is helping make the move down a little less precarious. Thankyou and Happy New Year to you and all your crew.
Patricia
Hi Patricia, so wonderful to hear you’re in New Zealand! I remember you sending me a message a little while ago. How wonderful you are over here and very exciting that you’ll be moving here soon. Any idea on dates? Would be lovely to meet up, if you have time before flying back to the UK? Otherwise, we’ll have to have you round for a BBQ when you’re settled! Wishing you a wonderful 2009 and hope it brings forth all that you’ve been dreaming of (and plenty more ‘spiders’!). Sarah x
I don’t know if anything is much cuter than two precious girls painting peapods- I love it! I hope my “future children” express such wonderful creativity=). Your beach adventures looked absolutely fabulous as well! We had so much fun in the snow in the states, but are looking forward to spending many sunny afternoons at the beach now that we’re home. I just wish they were as beautiful as the beaches of New Zealand! I’ll just close my eyes and imagine=). Wishing you and your family all the best in 2009!!!
Hello and welcome back to the blogosphere! So delighted to hear you had a fabulous, snowy time with your folks in the States. Wishing you all the best for 2009 and look forward to catching up on your awesome photos and news from Dubai! Sarah x