At home

Freya has learnt to ride her bike!She has had a pony-riding lesson andcan now "go" "stop" and steer. She has been playing with friends. We went to pick blueberries the other day. The weather has been in the 30s and we've been cooling off in our neighbour's pool, we've also cooled off in the river and the lake.

Gareth and Our neighbour Merv. have built Freya and I an awesome pen for our pets, no more escapees!

Happy New Year!

Mum and dad certainly made the most of their time in N.Z. We did some local walks on them arriving in Taumarunui the weather was fantastic and we all went to see the local gloworms one evening, they took Freya up Mount Ruapehu on the chairlift a first for them amongst many others. They have a taken helicopter ride over a glacier and been whale-watching ! They will have a couple of nights with us before getting back to blighty.

Well we've been here a year, how time flies!

Gareth has had a promotion at work (teacher i/c sport) and has also taken on Head of House (Hikurangi), he is enjoying his 8 week hols at the mo, and so are me and the girls.

Last year I did a spot of personal -training which I really enjoyed, so I have enrolled on Netfit, a personal - training course. I will be a student again...minus the usual connatations that label brings! First job is to organise a team of about 14 ladies to run/walk around Lake Taupo (155km).

Freya is very ready for school, and will be starting on her birthday in March this year. she has a Kiwi accent. Freya has also learnt to ride bike ( no stabilisers!)

Merryn is crawling, so it's time to re-arrange bottom shelf items!

2008 new year in nz

December was hectic as its the end of the school year aswell as Christmas, But good too. It was great to see Dad and El and show them around Taumarunui and Nz north island. The Girls thought it was great having Grampy and Nanny El around. And I think they enjoyed it too. After the end of term we headed up to Auckland and saw Lucy and Neal and had a pre christmas meal and drinks which was great! We did our last minute shopping in Auckland and then. Headed to the Airport to meet Marian and Bryan it was good to see them and a bit emotional for Sarah. They were tired but excited to see the girls and looking forward to seeing NZ. Once we left the airport we headed north to Orewa and then on to the bay of islands we spent a few days up there and travelled back through the Kauri forests of the west coast. We Found a great camp site just north of Dargaville, Freya went Kyaking and eeling she had a great time. From here we headed to the Coromandel were we met up with Dad and El again and all of us spent a wonderfull Christmas at a Bach in Cooks Beach. The house was great and only 2 mins from the beach. We had a seafood Christmas dinner with crayfish and prawns mussels and plenty of booze. Freya and Merryn loved their presents and were pleased that santa had found them in Cooks beach.

Boxing Day we headed of to Cathedral cove which is beautiful and Hot water beach where you can dig a hole in the sand and have your own spa.

After several days of running up the beach and swimming in the sea and seeing some great sceanery we headed back to Taumarunui while My parents travelled home via Auckland and Bryan and Marian went to Rotorua......................TO BE CONTINUED