Off-road power pick-up...

Latest lego creation by Turtle - the Off-road Power Pick-up Truck - complete with farm bike and trailer!

Holiday doings...

After a crazy-mad departure due to delayed connections we finally landed in New Zealand. First off it was a relaxing week with family at the farm before...

...driving north to historic Kerikeri (where it was kinda drizzly)...

...we stayed on an organic farm on the beautiful Takou river...

...and explored the Far North...battling the crowds (and seagulls) at Cape Reinga...

...but the breathtaking view more than made up for the mad crowds...

In between exploring lots of kayaking was had, with Takou Bay being a favourite destination...

...and because there was no public road access we always the only people there...

...we took the boys to Waitangi, and wandered the grounds and gardens...then it was time to head south to...

...Raglan where we stayed in the most idyllic bush-clad spot overlooking the harbour...

Before long we were travelling further south to The Lake to stay with Grandma and Grandad...and after a wonderfully relaxing week, followed by a few wildly windy days in Wellington...

...we were "home" again in Portland...just in time for the boys' 11th birthday!

Summer holidays...

We're having a utterly blissful time in New Zealand - spending Christmas with family and catching up with friends has been great. The past week we've been staying at Takou Bay in Northland - a really lovely spot - 5kms down a gravel road, tucked away amongst lush gardens next to the river. We've done Cape Reinga, been over to the Hokianga, caught up with C and R and their lovely girls, visited Waitangi and the Treaty House, and kayaked down the river to the beach where there is no.one.else.what.so.ever. Tomorrow we're off to Raglan, then on to Taupo for a wee bit before heading back to Wellington, and finally the long haul back to Portland...

The great unwrapping...

The elusive present was unwrapped and lo and behold it was a brand spanking new computer - I don't think I've ever seen two boys look more stunned and delighted!