Catching the Magic

Travels in New Zealand and beyond, going back to 2003!

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Sophie

Seasonally Unpredictable

August 17, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ 1 Comment Charlotte, Dan, Sarah, Sophie

I’m no meteorologist and if I was then I could explain the seasonally unpredictable weather we’ve been experiencing lately. Wellington, in particular, goes crazy in the Spring – and it’s approaching – with signs from ‘Mother Nature’ and changes in the fashion outlets window displays. I came across a fascinating read on the Met Service […]

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One Happy School Girl!

July 21, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ 2 Comments Charlotte, Sophie

The week before term-break didn’t really feel like Charli’s first week at school. It felt more like a ‘taster’ before a two-week break of reflection and wondering about the future. I had so many vivid dreams of my childhood and schooling, as well as a few strange ones of being within Charli’s body in her […]

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Last week of the school hols

July 20, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ 1 Comment Charlotte, Dan, Sarah, Sophie

This past week has been one of mostly simple pleasures at home. The girls have played together better than ever and taken over every corner of the house to play in (including the garage – with the car now out on the driveway!). There was some beautiful weather in between the showers and we spent […]

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Maxing it out on a Sunday – and the rest!

July 18, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ 1 Comment Charlotte, Dan, Sarah, Sophie

Last Sunday was a ‘beaut! The temperatures reached 19 degrees and this is the middle of winter! Days like this are sent to us in Welly to keep us sane in the midst of frequent southerly blasts from the Antarctic. Within a day we managed horse riding, vertical bungy (see earlier posts – here and […]

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Rainbows and Parties

July 12, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ 2 Comments Charlotte, Dan, Sarah, Sophie

It’s rainbow and party season at the moment. After a lovely morning to myself at the hairdressers, drinking coffee and catching up on all the gossip, I met up with Dan and the girls (who’d taken the bus into town and braved Te Papa on a rainy Saturday) for ‘Yum Cha’ at Big Thumb. We […]

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It’s feeding time at the Zoo!

June 24, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ 2 Comments Charlotte, Sophie

Thursday afternoon we spent at Wellington Zoo. With annual passes we visit at least once a fortnight and the girls are well known amongst the staff. We know the timing of all the animal feedings as well as the keepers and the girls were ecstatic to be able to feed the giraffes. The nocturnal house […]

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A break from the southerlies!

June 18, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ 2 Comments Charlotte, Sophie

Today was glorious. The air was calm, not a cloud in the sky. There was the distinct recollection of summer in the air (though of course we are not that easily fooled!). After many afternoons tucked up at home or at the museum it was with great relief that we could return, momentarily, to fair […]

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Busy weekends are becoming the norm!

June 18, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Charlotte, Dan, Sarah, Sophie

Saturdays are busy at Chez Lee these day. Ballet lessons for Charli, soccer for Dan and a horse ride for Sophie are fast becoming the norm (Mum just needs to fit in a yoga session somewhere and we’d be sorted!). Sunday was tres relaxed. Our good friend Lucy took Charli out for the morning to […]

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Charli loves to dance

June 7, 2008July 1, 2010 BritMumInNZ 1 Comment Charlotte, Sarah, Sophie

I sat outside Petite Ballet today chatting with the other Mums and feeling very reminiscent of my own dancing days. It felt strange to now be ‘the Mum on the bench’. The last time I was in a dance studio was when I was a young lass and it was me on the dance floor […]

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Kapiti Coast Sunday ‘On the Farm’

June 5, 2008August 24, 2008 BritMumInNZ 1 Comment Charlotte, Sophie

A few Sunday’s ago we visited Stables on the Park again so that Sophie could indulge in her love of horses. Charlotte braved a 5 minute ride but decided, having tried a few times now, that horses are definitely not her cup of tea and that she would much rather stick to dancing. Meanwhile, Sophie […]

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Horsey crazy in the heart of the Ohariu Valley

June 2, 2008November 27, 2009 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Sophie

This long, Queen’s Birthday Weekend, has been one of hobbies. On Saturday morning Charlotte went to her first ‘Petite Ballet‘ lesson at the Wellington Performing Arts Centre and LOVED it! I didn’t get any photographs; but will take one of her in the beautiful ballet ‘uniform’ soon. Sunday morning was Sophie’s turn. She has ridden […]

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Vomiting bug strikes!

May 27, 2008November 28, 2009 BritMumInNZ 2 Comments Charlotte, Dan, Sarah, Sophie

Monday was a regular day. I took the girls swimming, to the library, even hung out at the airport for an hour so SJ could watch the airplanes. They both fell asleep by 7.30pm and with my monthly ‘visitor’ due I was exhausted and ready for a good night’s sleep. 8.00pm Dan goes out to […]

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Getting in the Exercise!

May 21, 2008November 27, 2009 BritMumInNZ 2 Comments Charlotte, Our pets, Sophie

The sun has been blissful this week and today the girls and I made the most of every opportunity to stretch our legs. Sophie and I spent the morning at Oriental Parade where we handled starfish and walked along the waterfront. I pushed her back to the car in the buggy – along the beach […]

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Lyall Bay in Black and White

May 16, 2008November 27, 2009 BritMumInNZ 3 Comments Charlotte, Sophie

Saturday morning, prior to Dan’s weekly soccer game, was spent whiling away a couple of hours in the sunshine on Lyall Bay beach. Dan took these beautiful photographs. Simple pleasures. Playing in sand dunes, drawing in the sand, making sand sculptures, looking for mermaids and chasing seagulls. Dan won his game of soccer – must […]

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