Picton, gateway to the South Island, opens its arms like a loving parent to a child returned from a trip away. Since our arrival in New Zealand, in the mid 1990s, we have always had a part of our hearts in the South Island. It offers such a wild expanse of escapism mixed with open, […]
Month: April 2009
Ahoy there South Island!
We’re off to the South Island on Saturday morning, taking a ride on the ferry to Picton and then driving onto Nelson. We’re renting a beautiful house for the week, with the most stunning views (reminiscent of our stay at The Captain’s Quarters with ‘Chicken’ Grandma and Grandad back in 2003!). Doubt we’ll be blogging […]
Being more Zen
Dearest Charli, she is so sensitive (as was I as a child). Off we went for a hair-cut this morning. Sophie went first and let the hairdresser tease out her dreadlocks for an eternity (whilst watching a DVD of Maisy). Charli’s turn. She sat up in the chair – clipped in for safety – it […]
Capital E Puppet Expo
Capital E has grown so much in recent years, now filling the school holidays with wonderful entertainment for parents and children alike. This Easter hols there is a wonderful ‘Puppet Expo‘ on. For only $5 per person there are famous puppets (Yoda!), shadow puppetry, a fabulous show (with plenty of belly laughs for all) and […]
Easter Weekend: Sunshine and Stars
Autumnal sunshine has bathed our Easter weekend in shades of Spring. Only the silver-birch tree, with its leaves turning to shades of yellow, hints at the reality. The nights draw in. The blanket of stars, and recent full moon, have brought great wonder and excitement to our two little darlings who have, until a month […]
Cheerleader Charli!
Charli has loved her first term of cheer-leading. All practice has been done behind closed doors, so it was a real treat to go to her end of term class today! Her ballet and jazz performance classes are at the weekend (but I get to peek in on those through an open door! – will […]
Crystal Clear
The brightness of colour in Autumn here isn’t one of blazing autumnal leaves in fall (unless you journey to the South Island). Most of the native trees are evergreen. But the sun sitting lower in the sky brings about an incredible clarity to the light reflecting off every surface. Morning and evening the temperatures are […]
Domestic Bliss
Sometimes it feels good to lay low and simply chill out at home. Sophie and I have had a great couple of days milling round the house. We’ve been getting creative with paint, sticky tape and all things messy; engrossed in puzzles; playing horse games on the computer and reading copious books (it’s a wonder […]