Zealandia

Formally known as Kaori wildlife sanctuary. Gold coin entry weekend - well it is the middle of winter and the place is a building site as the new visitors centre doesn't open till 2010. It will be great when it is. Great walking tracks and birds. Kaka birds feeding, bell birds, tuis, north island robins, pretty good given how loud the 3 kids were!!!!
We got there nice and early, by 10.30, had a picnic lunch - quiet kids!!! they were eating. By the time we were leaving it was chokka, parking was a nightmare, so thank goodness we were early!
The paths and map were confusing - a new map and better signs would be great!

snow capped mountains

A little fishy on a dishy

A cold, but dry winters day and a trip into Wellington to the new market at Chaffers marina and the veg market. The kids spotted the fishing boats selling fresh fish so two Tarakihi later, kindly filleted too, see picture! Fush and chups for tea then!
The market was great, lemon curd, beers, cheeses, meat products, duck roulette, fresh bread, books and all sorts. The veg market was fun, loads of free brocalli leaves for the rabbits and a fridge full of fresh fruit and veg.

After that a trip over to Island bay to the marine life centre for the open day. Emma and Alex were there too, so all had fun handling star fish, crabs, slugs and cucumbers.

back home for lunch and a defrost!

New Zealand - its not a tropical paradise all year!

Snow on the Rimutaka hills. Catherine took Saffron up the hill today to go make a snow man, carrot and coal in their hands and off they set! Hopefully it will still be there at the weekend and Josh and India can got make snow men too.
Luckily Wellington is still very mild compared with the deep South! brghhhh.

Matchsticks please....

Well its Saturday and Andy is on his last long leg back home. Its been a pretty full on few weeks with him travelling to India for a week, back for 5 days before heading off to Amsterdam. I am exhursted being a full time mum and need more sleep please!

The highlight kids are slowely getting the hang of it all and are behaving better. We all went to spend pocket money at the Pinehaven playcentre garage sale. Earned by going straight to bed and sleep after the school disco last night - it worked!!!

Josh emptied his money box and prepared for a big spend! Came away with a high fi! a midi sysytem one with 3 cd interchanger and 2 cassette players, radio and clock. 2 seperate speakers too for $10. He is very made up. It nearly cost as much for an extention lead to be able to plug it in! The girls came away with cuddly bears! ah nevermind!
And we also got a bargin - a 6 year old well loved and in full working order Emma Ravens. Luckily her mum rescued her later.

We had a picnic lunch and all went round with Josh for his netball match - easy bribe - 3 sausage sizzles for the 3 girls. Josh had an awesome match, first as Goal Keep and then as Goal defence. He had an awesome match as GD. really involved and making some awesome saves and passes. For the effort he got man of the match - yes the below trophy is back in the Juniper house! They won again - still not lost a match yet this season.