Catching the Magic

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

  • Home
  • About
  • Blasts from the past
  • Country Kids
  • Motherhood
  • Poetry
    • 2011 Poetry
    • 2012 Poetry
    • 2013 Poetry
    • 2014 Poetry
    • 2015 Poetry
    • 2016 Poetry
    • 2017-2018 Poetry
  • Travel
    • Auckland
    • Fiordland
    • Kapiti Coast
    • Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough & Canterbury
    • Otago, Queenstown, Wanaka & Southern Lakes
    • Taupo, Rotorua & Tongariro National Park
    • Wairarapa
    • Byron Bay and the Gold Coast (2005 and 2016)
    • Californian Adventures, 2013-14
    • Canada, Dec. 2018
    • Cook Islands
    • Copenhagen, July & August 2014
    • Japan
    • Singapore
    • Sydney
    • UK Visits from 2014 to 2022
    • England via Santa Barbara & San Francisco, 2012
    • England via San Francisco – July 2007
    • NZ to UK, with our 9 month old, 2004
  • Running
  • Special Days

Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop

A love letter to a much cherished inanimate object

November 17, 2011November 17, 2011 BritMumInNZ 5 Comments Sarah, Writing

My dearest coffee machine, You’ve been faithful to me for seven years without a splutter. You’ve rescued me from dire sleep deprivation with your sensitive touch. The sound of you getting all steamed up – in readiness for me – makes my heart pump and my hands shake in anticipation. Some mornings I see your […]

Continue reading


Writer’s Workshop: It’s a pretty good life, for a cat

November 3, 2011November 3, 2011 BritMumInNZ 9 Comments Our pets, Writing

They’re not too bad for adopted owners. It was about four years ago when they moved in and the smell of their summer BBQs drew my cats whiskers to their home. I couldn’t resist hanging around, especially since they already had a cat that got fed regularly. The photo up there was taken at the […]

Continue reading


22 things I have done since becoming a parent…

October 27, 2011 BritMumInNZ 6 Comments Sarah, Writing

Sung’ Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ more times than I’d like to think about. Not had a lie-in past 9am for over 8 years, but had plenty of mid-day naps. Scrubbed Weet-Bix off the kitchen floor till my hands nearly bled (that stuff is like cement to shift when it has set!). Got up in the […]

Continue reading


Don’t Dream It’s Over

October 6, 2011 BritMumInNZ 7 Comments Random Musings, Sarah

I love all the Crowded House songs. Whenever they come on the radio they always lift me up. ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over‘ is one of my favourite and I have enjoyed reading people’s interpretation of the lyrics at the website ‘Song Meanings‘. For me this song evokes a feeling of optimism and strength, even when […]

Continue reading


Loss to a Taniwha: Writer’s Workshop

August 4, 2011August 4, 2011 BritMumInNZ 8 Comments photography, Sarah, Writing

The Taniwha crept into the harbour, Trapping the city in its dragon breath. At loss, trapped, beneath high pressure power, A lid of cloud, that needed sun with teeth. We drove up to the lid, in search of blue, And found a hole, from which we could peak-a-boo. Wellington and its harbour hills, no clue […]

Continue reading


Writer’s Workshop: Channelling the Energy

July 28, 2011April 1, 2012 BritMumInNZ 15 Comments Sarah, Sophie, Walks, Writing

When the ‘boss’ and I our conceived our daughter, Sophie, I reckon a strong dose of my sister’s genes were thrown into the mix. And, unbeknown to Dan and I, there was going to be a strong contender in the house as to who was really ‘the boss’! Of course my husband and I harp […]

Continue reading


Writer’s Workshop: A poem inspired by a picture

June 23, 2011June 23, 2011 BritMumInNZ 6 Comments Charlotte, Writing

Her ears are like little shells, Catching the whispers of sound. She dips them in the water, Where mermaid treasure is found. Flower stars, adorn her ears, Where once, her soft skin was bare. Turning eight, she shows no fear, But seeks her birthstone with care. __________________________________ My oldest daughter is turning eight and has […]

Continue reading


The last time I hung out with friends…

June 16, 2011June 16, 2011 BritMumInNZ 4 Comments Sarah, Writing

over the age of 18 and in real life (as opposed to online) was a couple of weeks ago (for the first time in over a year!). Post inspired by Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop: Girls Night Out! Describe the last time you got to hang out with your friends? What stops you from doing this […]

Continue reading


10 things I love about Alice at 15 months old

May 19, 2011 BritMumInNZ 9 Comments Alice, Sarah

A limited vocabulary of key words can get results. I admire Alice, at 15 months of age, for choosing her words carefully for optimum service from the bigger people around her; ‘More!’ – used whilst pointing at what it is she requires; music, favorite nursery rhymes on DVD, water, food. ‘Nah!’ – used with a […]

Continue reading


‘Angst’ in transition to school

December 9, 2010December 9, 2010 BritMumInNZ 9 Comments Sarah, Sophie, Writing

Last night my four, going on five, year old daughter, Sophie told me, in her own words, ‘I feel too much pain going to Kindi as I am so sad to be saying goodbye.  I don’t want to have the goodbye as it will just make me sadder.  I have never felt like this.  It […]

Continue reading


Poem about the time someone made you smile: ALICE

November 18, 2010November 18, 2010 BritMumInNZ 19 Comments Alice, Writing

A Articulate is not a word we can yet attribute to your name, Although your name does start with A. Adorable Alice, of words yet lame, Although many attractive sounds you say. L Mama, Dada, Baba… all arouse a smile and more. We listen with attentive ears. Learning your language is never a bore, Love […]

Continue reading


The Happy Den

October 9, 2010 BritMumInNZ 12 Comments Garden, School hols

Where we live is surrounded by trees and close to the sea. The garden is what really attracted us to the property. It’s not easy to find a flat section in the hilly topography of Wellington. And to find somewhere set back from the road with a safe driveway for the children to ride their […]

Continue reading


Ten reasons I LOVE my job

September 24, 2010September 24, 2010 BritMumInNZ 10 Comments Random Musings, Sarah, Writing

No one tells me what I should wear and in the summer I live in bare feet and have little people volunteer to paint my nails (usually multi-colored and badly). I love not feeling pressured to scrub up in the latest fashion. Being able to wear a bikini top instead of a bra in summer […]

Continue reading


Dear Mummy…

August 17, 2010September 9, 2010 BritMumInNZ 9 Comments Art, Random Musings, Writing

An imagined letter from my children to me: Dear Mummy, We’re sorry for the mess we left everywhere, but do you like the painting we did for you? The painting is of you being busy. You are always busy, but we like that you stop to give us a hug and play with us too. […]

Continue reading


Search for:

Archives

  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • September 2024
  • May 2024
  • March 2024
  • August 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • July 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004
  • August 2004
  • July 2004
  • June 2004
  • May 2004
  • April 2004
  • March 2004
  • February 2004
  • January 2004
  • December 2003
  • November 2003
  • September 2003
  • August 2003
  • July 2003
  • June 2003

Meta

  • Log in
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Archives

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

Things I Write About

Art (100) autumn (42) Baking (37) beach (67) Birthday (51) birthday party (31) breastfeeding (29) cafes (46) christmas (71) Country Kids (59) family (117) family time (57) featured (34) friends (38) Garden (43) holiday (36) Holidays (133) Lyall Bay (46) Lyrical Sunday (68) milestones (62) motherhood (37) New Zealand (38) parenting (36) photography (39) poem (69) poetry (92) running (62) Santa Barbara (32) school (75) school holidays (50) seasons (45) Silent Sunday (51) sisters (29) sleep (35) spring (38) summer (60) swimming (28) the gallery (62) Things I'm Loving (118) UK (33) Walks (47) weather (33) Wellington (137) winter (42) writing (50)
© Sarah A. Lee and Catching the Magic, 2003 to 2026 inclusive. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Sarah A. Lee and Catching the Magic with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Theme by Colorlib Powered by WordPress