Happy Birthday Tracy

It was a great party. Thanks to all that came and all that helped.

Chef

Pete did a great job as chef. It took about 5 hours to roast but the meat was very tender and delicious. 

Get in There

Today we are having a 40th birthday party for Tracy. We are spit roasting a lamb on the biggest barbecue. I have seen. 

James, Erin & Dougal

The Pinnacles

The cliffs are very similar to the clay cliffs at Omarama. 

Harper Valley

Today we took a drive out across the Avoca river and up the Harper valley. I have wanted to have a look up here for a while. There are some clay cliff formations known as the Pinnacles which I wanted to see. 

Fire

We got a good fire going in the evening. 

Crikey

New Zealand's answer to Steve Irwin. No crocs here so we told the kids he was looking for Gruffalos. 

Chainsaw

Dougal got James got a chainsaw for xmas. Thankfully this time it was just a toy one. It's a Husqvarna and looks and sounds like the real deal. James had fun trying to chop this tree down with it, then I chopped it down with a real chainsaw. 

Back to the Farmhouse

Summer is not summer without a trip to the Avoca. James is very excited about it all. 

Happy New Year!

At Last!

Well it's been a long time but I have finally updated this blog with over 100 new entries. If you are interested the new posts start all the way back here.

Surfs Up

James had to have a little go but he wouldn't go in the water. He doesn't like the waves. Anyway we all had a great time and the sea air gave us an appetite for the traditional xmas roast kindly cooked by Sandra.

While Mum Surfs

James Plays on the Sand

Xmas on the Beach!

A traditional kiwi xmas, we spent the afternoon eating smoked salmon and drinking wine on the beach. It was great weather and the water was really warm. Tracy and I went surfing and we all had a great time.

We Wish You a Merry Xmas!

James got a ukelele for xmas (amongst other things).

Climber

Before we left James had a last play in the park. He loved this climbing wall.

Time for Bed

Happy Holidays

Tomorrow we go home which is a shame but we have had a great time. For our last night Tracy's Dad treated us to a nice meal at the restaurant next to the beach.

Moa

After our ride we were all a bit sore so we relaxed in the pub. Just opposite was a woodcarvers studio and I saw these giant carved Moas outside.

Happy Day

It was great to see Tracy back in the saddle.

In the Surf

We went for a walk through the surf and saw a stingray swimming. We also saw a few hollows in the sand where the stingrays had been sunning themselves.

Racing

We had a good hoon around on the sand. That's me in the front. I managed a short canter which was scary but cool.

Horse Riding at Marahau

This afternoon I went riding across the beach at Marahau with Tracy and her Dad. Our instructor was Harmony Aquarian, an eccentric but brilliant horseman who we have ridden with before. The weather and the views were fantastic.

View From Kaiteriteri Lagoon

This is the life!