Catching the Magic

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

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  • WAI2K 50km trail adventure, November 2024!

    In November 2024 I took on the epic endurance event of the 50km WAI2K Ultra, from Woodside Train Station in Greytown, through the hills of the Wairarapa and Kaitoke Regional Park, to Tunnel Gully Upper Picnic Area in Upper Hutt. This mixed terrain course involves around 2,500m of elevation gain through dense scrub, beautiful native […]
  • Visits back to the UK aren’t always a holiday – when those you love aren’t well.

    Life is never all sunshine and roses. When we have had the good fortunate of having people in our lives that we’ve loved deeply, and have felt their love in return, it is painful to see that person suffering. Life is all about beginnings and endings, hellos and goodbyes, first moments and celebrations, and also […]
  • Celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary with a long weekend on the Gold Coast – June 2024

    At the end of May 2024 my husband and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary and took the opportunity to grab a fix of winter sunshine, over the ‘King’s Birthday’ weekend public holiday (beginning of June), with a trip to the Gold Coast – on Australia’s East Coast. We were joined by our children, Sophie […]
  • ‘Last time’ moments on a spring visit to the UK, May 2024

    After over twenty five years of living thousands of miles away from my birth country, and many flights back and forth, I am still in awe of the fact I can be on the other side of the world in 24 hours. I remind myself that jet passenger services didn’t start until the late 1950s […]
  • Race Tekapo 50km

    Race registration on Friday night, by the shore of Lake Tekapo, was a ‘hold on tight to your bib’ or you won’t be going anywhere tomorrow affair. The bitingly cold air was a shock to the system, after my husband, daughter and I had driven from a sunny, spring like day in Christchurch. Our flight […]
  • Running the stunning Motatapu Trail Marathon

    This was one of the most beautiful trail marathons I’ve ran and was a great way to celebrate a summer of running and see in the beginning of autumn (though the weather was still very much throwing the heat of summer on event day – which fell on the first Saturday in March). The 42km […]
  • 50km for 50 years! How I saw in the first day of my fifties running the 50km Faultline Ultra!

    I’ve been on a good running streak for over a year now (meaning no injuries, illness or troublesome hormones to slow me down – thanks to a mix of strength work, good luck and hormone replacement therapy!). When I saw that a new event was going to be held in the city where I live […]
  • Six month catch up!

    Time is literally flying away on me and blog writing is very neglected these days, but we are all well here and can’t believe our lovely Christmas and New Year festivities were three months ago! Spring and summer has raced by and now we are on the cusp of autumn here in New Zealand. Since […]
  • Ten blissful days in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

    With the days dark and short here in New Zealand we jetted off for some warmth and sunshine in the Cook Islands, just a three to four hour flight from Auckland. We have never visited any of the Pacific Islands and it was with great delight that we touched down on the runway in Rarotonga, […]
  • A few running events to kick off the year & a sub-4 PB at the Rotorua Marathon!

    Round the Bays Wellington, held in February every year, is always an iconic event, generally bestowed with sunshine and an amazing turn out of people of all ages. The atmosphere for this event is like a festival, with entertainment lining the route of the first 6km, between Waitangi Park and Kilbirnie Park (where all the […]

Three and a Quarter

October 28, 2006May 27, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

In the past month my life has changed dramatically, the reason being is that Sophie is now mobile (horrors!).

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Old friend

October 28, 2006November 28, 2009 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Sarah

There’s nothing like a surprise visit from an old friend to lift ones spirits.

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Creativity of a 3 year old

October 27, 2006November 28, 2009 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Charlotte, Sarah

Creativity comes in all forms… the more traditional forms of painting and lego construction to plastering ones body in a chain of stickers before bed and covering the cat in glitter.

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Nine Months and Crawling… (time to hide your toys Charli!)

October 12, 2006May 27, 2010 Sophie Leave a comment Holidays, Sophie

On the first night of my Taupo holiday I finally learnt how to roll onto my tummy. Daddy had taken Charli down to the bar, whilst Mummy tried to get me to sleep (but that was the furthest thing from my mind!).

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New Toy

October 10, 2006 Dan Leave a comment Dan, Technology

Naughty 🙂

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Blowing off some steam in Taupo

September 27, 2006November 27, 2009 Dan Leave a comment Dan, Holidays

I recently had to travel to Taupo for a work charity golf classic (yes, I know it’s a hard life). So I thought it would be a good idea to take a last break before the Christmas silly season and pile up of work swing into full gear.

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Spring has Sprung!

September 18, 2006August 31, 2010 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Sarah

With spring sunshine warming the veins it was the perfect excuse to get the beer tap flowing and enjoy some good cheer with friends.

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Dancing with the Stars

September 16, 2006December 7, 2009 Dan Leave a comment Charlotte, Life in action - Videos

Charli dancing to one of her favourite songs – Hey Baby, Hey Baby, Let’s Rock and Roll!

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Crazy Games with Big Sis!

September 10, 2006May 27, 2010 Sophie Leave a comment Life in action - Videos, Sophie

I just love it when my big sister creeps up on me!

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Betty Crocker!

September 9, 2006May 27, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Baking, Charlotte

My baking adventures continue. This week I set about with Daddy to make beautiful blueberry muffins. Wowee! They almost came out as good as what they look like on the packet.

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Sophie’s 8 Month Check

September 9, 2006November 27, 2009 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Sophie

Look at me in the waiting room ready for the Plunkett Nurse 8 month check.

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Cellphone Cameras Rock!

September 7, 2006September 7, 2006 Dan Leave a comment Dan, Technology

Cellphone cameras rock. Pictures anytime, anywhere. Here are six.

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Fathers’ Day

September 3, 2006November 28, 2009 Dan 1 Comment Dan, Special Days

Fathers’ Day started with a rude 5.00am awakening courtesy of Charli, who happened to be out on the tiles the previous night till a near-record 10pm! I should have sensed the omens were going to be good though

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Charli got to “Get Her Energy Up!”

September 2, 2006March 28, 2024 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte, Life in action - Videos

Family Lee have a new toy for the garden – a trampoline. Mummy and Daddy put it up in the living room, whilst Sophie and I were asleep

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Recent Posts

  • WAI2K 50km trail adventure, November 2024! February 20, 2025
  • Visits back to the UK aren’t always a holiday – when those you love aren’t well. February 6, 2025
  • Celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary with a long weekend on the Gold Coast – June 2024 January 6, 2025
  • ‘Last time’ moments on a spring visit to the UK, May 2024 January 2, 2025
  • Race Tekapo 50km September 29, 2024
  • Running the stunning Motatapu Trail Marathon May 30, 2024
  • 50km for 50 years! How I saw in the first day of my fifties running the 50km Faultline Ultra! May 21, 2024
  • Six month catch up! March 9, 2024
  • Ten blissful days in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. August 8, 2023
  • Marlborough Food & Wine Festival Birthday Celebration August 7, 2023
  • A few running events to kick off the year & a sub-4 PB at the Rotorua Marathon! May 10, 2023
  • Auckland mid-week break away for Harry Styles! April 4, 2023

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