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 […]

Water Play With “Ma Ma”

August 29, 2006May 27, 2010 Sophie Leave a comment Sophie

I am beginning to enjoy the delights of water play and try to say, ‘Good’ whenever I see that magical liquid.

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The Lion King

August 29, 2006December 7, 2009 Dan Leave a comment Our pets

Our cat Simba simply loves his brand new house. Look how happy he is.

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Artist At Work

August 26, 2006May 27, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

Mummy’s ‘Laundry Room’ is actually my ‘Art Room’ and some AMAZING creations are made there. Remember, ‘It’s fun to get messy AND it’s fun to get clean!’.

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Learning to Bake. At 33!

August 18, 2006May 27, 2010 Dan 1 Comment Baking, Dan

Yes, it’s true. I am finally learning to bake at the ripe old age of 33. If a 3 year old can do it then so can I. Maybe.

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Meeting My Girls For Lunch

August 16, 2006December 7, 2009 Dan 1 Comment Dan

What a hard life it is sometimes. One of the perks of Wellington, being that it is such a small city, is that quite often I can meet “my girls” for lunch.

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Frustration

August 15, 2006May 27, 2010 Sophie Leave a comment Sophie

I want to move! I’m fast approaching 8 month’s old and I have decided it’s time to put down the books and get moving.

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Hey, It’s COOL Being Three!

August 11, 2006May 27, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

It’s been a while since I ‘posted’ a note on the website, as I have been very busy organising our new house. Being three is very COOL.

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Jouer!

August 9, 2006May 27, 2010 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Sarah

Learning through play, bring it on!

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New Tooth At Seven Months

August 9, 2006May 27, 2010 Sophie 1 Comment Sophie

A new tooth, all the better to eat with, mmm!

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Letting Go, Nearly

August 7, 2006May 27, 2010 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Charlotte, Sarah

Charlotte started Montessori Pre-School last week. We lasted one week!

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Six months and sitting pretty

July 18, 2006May 27, 2010 Sophie Leave a comment Sophie

Sitting pretty at six months and I love to chuckle.

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I am 3!

June 28, 2006May 27, 2010 Charlotte 1 Comment Charlotte, Special Days

I am 3 year’s old and the sun came out to help me celebrate my Birthday. I woke feeling grumpy, as I had a streaming cold, but when Mummy told me the magic word, ‘Presents’, I soon had a smile on my face!

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My 3rd Birthday Party

June 25, 2006May 27, 2010 Charlotte 1 Comment Charlotte

Badoom! Mummy and Daddy had arranged an explosive volcano cake, which totally blew me away!

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Mid Winter Antics

June 21, 2006December 7, 2009 BritMumInNZ Leave a comment Charlotte, Sophie

The shortest day and the Lee gals prove that winter is no barrier to fun…

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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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