Erica's 5th Birthday

Pauanui Part 2

Read Pauanui Part 1 for the details.... this was a wonderful weekend getaway and a nice close for this cold and rainy July school holidays.

Pauanui - Part 1

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting We were invited to join Robert, Priscilla and Catherine at their family bach (Kiwi term for holiday home) in Pauanui, east of Coromandel. Upon arrival, Robert wasted no time in telling us we would go for a "short walk". The walk turned out to be a 3 hour trek up a 700m mountain. Of course, we had done two other walks with them but this was something else. OK, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining but it certainly was the most challenging "walk" we (alright, I mean me) had ever done. As we got higher, the spectacular views made the panting& puffing and wombly knees all worth it. From up there, we could see all of Pauanui, Tairua and some of the other offshore islands. Just as we reached the peak, a family of fantails appeared from nowhere and hovered around us the whole time we were there - a lovely welcome we all enjoyed. So, now you know what Erica's going on about in the video. More pictures of what we saw in the next blog.......

Off to School in 20 days

She's the happiest soon-to-be five year old at the moment! Its been an hour since we put the uniform on, and after these pictures were taken but she refuses to take them off. Our little cookie baby is off to "big" school on 13 August, 3 days after she turns 5. She's as excited as can be 'cos now she gets to go to school with Tim! Just in case you think I made her pose, I did not - these were totally candid! I shiver to think what she'll be like in 10 years time.

Tim's Confirmation

Tim received the sacrament of Confirmation on 20 June 2007 together with 63 other candidates. Bishop Robin Leamy was the celebrant. Tim's sponsors were Vincent and Adelyn.

Waiuku Forest

A month after the first orienteering event at Woodhill Forest, we spent another Sunday morning walking through the Waiuku Forest with Robert, Priscilla & Catherine, and Vicki. Weather wasn't good again, so we prayed, and again, we got good weather. Thank you Lord. The walk lasted about an hour and a half, and was a little more challenging than the last one. A few more tight corners and slippery slopes. The most memorable part of the walk was probably the strong perfume of the dung.....oooooo! I felt almost pukish at some points. We ploughed on because we knew there was a sumptuous reward coming up. With Vicki's house just round the corner, it was a convenient detour for much needed nourishment.

Day at Coromandel

Two weeks Easter break for schools. Mervin took a day off. Headed to the Coromandel Coast for the day to visit Waiau Water Works and Driving Creek Railway. No one warned us that the 2 1/2 hour drive was going to be as harrowing as it was. Extremely windy coastal roads - many stretches had 35 km/h speed limit ( in other words - really dangerous). A few crazy hell-bound drivers whizzed past us, much to our annoyance. Waiau Water Works was great fun. Chris the owner had created all kinds of neat stuff from recycled materials. Also had lots of play activities which both adults and kids could enjoy. Brilliant guy. These photos don't do justice to his works, more was captured on the video which I'll put up sometime soon. Train ride was so-so but views from the top was nice. Maybe we were rather tired by then.