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 […]

Hello World

December 27, 2005July 28, 2010 Sophie Leave a comment Sophie, Special Days

Well, I’m here. After 9 months of preparation, I thought it was time to make a spectacular entrance.

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Birth Story: The Arrival of Sophie Jade

December 26, 2005February 15, 2013 BritMumInNZ 2 Comments Sarah, Sophie, Special Days

The arrival of Sophie Jade…

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Happy ‘Kissmass’!

December 25, 2005July 28, 2010 Dan Leave a comment Charlotte

I have been so excited and loved all the decorations, Christmas music and hearing about baby Jesus and Father Christmas. Just waiting for our baby now…

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My visit to Silverstream Railway Museum

December 4, 2005July 28, 2010 Dan Leave a comment Charlotte

I went for a ride on a steam engine, toot, toot!

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Running Wild!

October 18, 2005July 28, 2010 Dan Leave a comment Charlotte

My legs were made to run, fast!

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I’m a big girl now!

September 25, 2005July 28, 2010 Dan Leave a comment Charlotte

I am wearing big girl pants, like to help Mummy round the house (watering plants and mopping the floor are my specialities!), have stopped having ‘baaboo’ and I am very excited as we’re expecting a baby!

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On the beach in Byron Bay

August 16, 2005July 28, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

Two weeks of fun time with Mummy and Daddy, hip, hip, hooray!

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Choo Choo I am 2!

June 28, 2005July 28, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

I am 2! What fun to open so many lovely presents!

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My 2nd Birthday Party!

June 26, 2005July 28, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

I had such a fun time partying with my friends.

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Down at the Station

May 22, 2005July 28, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

Charlotte’s becoming a transport buff. See her down at the station and on her trike..

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Rainbows and farm animals

May 8, 2005July 28, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

Autumn is here and we’ve been trying to catch rainbows and visiting animals.

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My First FunFair

April 18, 2005July 28, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

I went to my first funfair and Daddy won me a Rhino hat and took me on an elephant and on Brum

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Wildlife Spotting in Otago

March 31, 2005July 27, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte, Holidays

I went to the Otago Peninsula for my Easter holiday with Mummy and Daddy. I saw Penguins, Seals, and lots of “Albys”.

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Soaking up the last of the summer sun

March 16, 2005July 28, 2010 Charlotte Leave a comment Charlotte

Paddling at the beach, climbing at the playground and, ‘Look at me, I can jump, jump, jump!’

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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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