Dean, Carly and Asher

2012-02-06T22:11:00.000+13:00

WAiTanGi dAY

Asher at Waignaro Landing

Well after briefly contemplating heading into town for some 'Waitangi' workshops and a carnival day, we decided that we would use the public holiday to go on a family adventure, somewhere we hadn't been before. So we headed off for Karakariki scenic reserve which I thought was out towards Raglan, but turns our it wasn't and after driving around for 1 1/2 hours we ended up at 'Waignaro landing' which as it turns out was nice enough for a picnic, and very peacefull i.e. remote, probably the narrowest dirt road I have ever been down. Even though it was quite hot, we decided against a swim as we spotted a couple of Eels in the water and it creeped us out a bit, though I'm sure there harmless.

Waignaro landing picnic spot

Asher with a pretty puti puti he picked

Our original destination 'Karakiriki scenic reserve'

Asher chilling with his Dad

After our picnic we decided to head off and find our original destination, so we drove around until we found some cell reception and googled directions. Turns out we were way off track and our original destination was quite close to town. So and hour later we arrived at the car park and walked the 20 minutes in to the little water fall and picnic spot. It was still pretty hot but as usual for New Zealand rivers the water was glacial, so we just paddled for a bit and hung out. In all it was a pretty awsome day.

Asher amusing himself at the swimming hole that was too cold to swim in

Summer 2012

2012-01-10T11:49:00.006+13:00

wAiTOnGa WaTErfALl

We headed off for our weekend adventure on friday afternoon, Dean, Rose, Mat and myself, headed off a bit earlier with the intention of stopping at a few places on the way, but in the end we only managed to have time to stop at a cafe in Te kuiti for a bite to eat, and arrived in Ohakune around 5 pm. Dean and I decided to go for a walk around the town, which is very pretty and when we got back Jasmine and Lucy had also arrived. After a quick spa we decided to head of to Waitonga falls around 7pm. Its nice that its summer and we have plenty of daylight.

Well a while ago I was reading a book about 100 waterfalls to visit in New Zealand, and decided I would start checking off the ones I had seen. So when we were planning our trip to the crossing and had a place to stay in Ohakune i figured it was the perfect time to visit 'Waitonga Falls" which came in at number 5 on the list. To get to the falls you travel about 11 kms up the mountain view road, then from the road its around a 45 minute walk, being 7 months pregnant it actually took me 45 minutes but it probably wouldn't take that long otherwise. The walk to the waterfall was most impressive and I was keen to check this out as well as its part of the 'round the mountain' walk which i'm hoping to do next summer. Unfortunately for my companions on the trip I only have the pictures from my camera so most of them are of me, so sorry guys.

(Me, Jaz, rose and lucy)

We reached this plateua bout 20 minutes into the walk, the view was amazing the mountain looked beautiful and the evening lighting was perfect, on our way back the moon even came out.

(Dean, me and Rose)

The walk through the forest up to the plateau was really nice and the trees were full of native birds, I even thought I recognised some of them, thanks to my native bird I phone app, but Im still not confident enough to call them out.

(another waterfall running off from the main stream)

We made our way from the track to the very bottom of the waterfall, and given that the evening was fairly mild, and it wasn't too far back to the car I decided to go under. The water was arctic and instantly numbing and the pressure of it was a lot more than I anticipated, but it felt exhilarating. We then made our way back to the cars and the chalet, we decided to have hot showers and spas before we had dinner, but when we were dressed and ready to go everywhere in town was closed, we were all starving, it could havee been and unpleasant night, but then Ben txted and suggested the 'powder horn' restaurant, which was a bit further up the road, so all was well.

ToNgariRo CrOsSiNg

(Dean, Jaz, Carly, Lucy, Mat (foreign), Rose)

This past weekend we decided to do the Tongariro crossing again. We had a foreign friend visiting so we had a good incentive to go. I also wanted to check out a waterfall I had heard about heading up to the Turoa ski field. Our trip was made alot easier by the fact that we had a friend who said we could stay at his (parents) chalet in Ohakune. The trip went as follows:

(from left,Mat, Jaz, Lucy, Rose,Carly, Dean)

Well the weather report said afternoon rain, so you would think that we would have gotten an early start, but we didn't. Even though we had spent the night in Ohakune we didn't get to the beginning of the track till lunch time and it started raining just as we began, so in short we started in typical Cammock style i.e. late and in bad weather. We made it to soda springs in good time and the rain was still intermittant, we stopped and had a banana each then headed up the first incline, again we made good time and the rain was still holding off abit, when we got to the plateau the clouds cleared for a bit and we got a good view of Ngaruahoe. The original plan was to summit Ngaruahoe but the weather closed in again and we wouldn't have been able to see anything from the top so decided to skip it (plus visibility was quite bad) so we carried on to Red Crater.

(Mat, Lucy, Jaz, Rose, Carly, Dean)

We got a brief view of the lakes etc once we reached red crater, but at this point the weather quickly deteriorated and the rain really set in. Here our little fellowship split up...Dean and I decided to walk to the Tongariro summit then head back down the way we came; Lucy, Rose and Mat decided to descend the mountain to the other side and Jasmine said she would go back to get the car and drive around to meet them, so we said our goodbyes and parted. The Tongariro summit was a bit of a waste of time as the rain was heavy the cloud was thick and we couldn't see anything, but Dean and I enjoy each others company so we had a good time. Both Dean and I felt our age when our knees got a bit sore coming down but the thought of the spa back at the chalet spurred us on. The rain actually made for a beautiful setting there were little waterfalls and rivers running everywhere and mountain daisy's all over. I was glad that I had forgone fashion and opted to take my Taiwan scooter poncho, as I remained dry the whole hike except for my shoes which were already wet from the waterfall the night before.

Dean and I got back to the car and headed back to Ohakune and made it just in time to go to the supermarket before it closed where we bought a bunch of discounted deli food (IKnow i'm not meant to eat deli food), some drink and ice-cream (which for some reason I had been craving all day) and went straight back to the chalet and jumped in the spa, being 7 months pregnant I mainly just soaked my legs, but it felt amazing. That night once everyone was back safely had a good soak in the spa and regrouped we headed off to the powder horn restaurant for the second night in a row (they do the best burgers and chips ever) and went to bed. Dean and I got up extra early with surprisingly few aches and headed home to see our litte man "Asher" who we had left behind with Grandma.

Big Thanks to Ben Sheffield and his parents for letting us stay at their chalet and to lucy for organising our trip.

Summer 2011

2011-01-30T17:24:00.001+13:00

Well, its been a long time between posts… there is little to excuse the poor posting performance… other than… lets not go there…

Our House

2010-08-31T13:30:00.001+12:00

Some miscellaneous photos of the house. Forgive the poor quality as they were taken from my phone. No post would be complete without a couple of cute Asher pics. Here are my favs.

FAMILY PHOTOS

2010-07-25T17:54:00.001+12:00

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS I.E. RAFTS

2010-03-16T14:24:00.001+13:00

Its nice to have friends, especially friends who own rafts and take you out in them, thanks Mike and Bex. Well since I don’t have the same talent for writing as Rose and Crystal, and since they have posted most of the photos already I will keep it short. So yes I nearly drowned, I was under the water for 22 seconds which seemed a lot longer, I was very confused, I swallowed a lot of water, I didn’t know which way was up or down, it was very dark. I was especially confused when I went into the ball position as instructed but still didn’t come up after 3 attempts, (I kept getting dragged and bashed out of position) I wondered why this was happening to me, even when i surfaced I couldn’t breathe because I was choking …it was really quite terrifying, yet strangely exhilarating and one of the worst things to ever happen to me, I still have a throbbing headache 3 days later and my back is covered in bruises, I am very grateful for my helmet.

In all it was a good day and I feel like I bonded with everyone present as we all faced danger together, So we now have a rafting fellowship of Mike, Bex, Dean Carly, Rose, Crystal, Sam, Jasmine, Clinton, Jake, KC, Mary and our little mascots Asher and Sophie.

The holidays over

2010-02-02T09:20:00.001+13:00

Sadly its Deans first day back at work after a long break, it seems so unfair as there is still so much sunshine and warm weather to be enjoyed...but it will be nice to have money again.

Summer Reflections

2010-01-31T14:23:00.004+13:00

MY PIC OF THE BUNCH

well slightly annoyingly I don't know where Dean has stored all of our photos so I have had to enlarge my favourites from what he has already posted, hence the poor quality...but I think they will do to illustrate my account of our latest travels. So first we climbed Mount Ngaruahoe A.K.A Mount Doom, as seen on 'Lord of the Rings'. Even though I remember hearing on the news that there had been an eruption at Mount Ruapehu a few years ago, I still didn't quite realize that we have active Volcanos in NZ.

So Here I am at 'red crater' (after 4 hours of climbing) It was amazing the weather was bad coming up I only had a rubbish bag as a raincoat, when we got to the top, the air was so warm there was steam rising up from the crater and the ground was HOT, it was like being in a sauna, but its a volcano, and it was all red and black and just really cool. There were warning signs on the way up saying such things as 'If you fell rumblings in the ground do not remain in the valley'.

So after 10 years living in the North Island we finally went on their one and only world heritage trail, and even though I am a South Island loyalist I have to say that its one of the most scenic things I have ever seen.

Asher our super model

I had a good laugh when I saw this picture, because I though little Asher looked like a sports illustrated model posing. So the night before our trip up the mountain we headed out to Raglan to have dinner and watch the sunset, it was such a hot evening we decided to go for a swim...I took Asher out into the surf the water was lovely and warm and he just loved being knocked about by all the waves. He always wants to hang out with us big people and do whatever we do.

Fletchers Bay

Raglan

Tongariro Pass

The Otago Rail Trail and Miscallaneous Holiday Photos – Christmas and New Years 2010

2010-01-08T11:16:00.001+13:00

Below is a photo journal of what has been an epic holiday that has included destinations such as Dunedin, the Otago Central Rail Trail, Queenstown, Fiordland, Glenorchy, Lake Te Anau, Bluff, Edendale, The Catlins, Christchurch, the Molesworth station road, and Hanmer Springs. A video blog and more detailed accounts soon to follow.

Armistace Day

2009-11-08T19:33:00.000+13:00

Today was a sparkling sunday. Following our religious communion we headed out to Cambridge for what is widely regarded as the largest war commemoration event in the country. We saw a reenactment of ANZAC and American forces during Vietnam as well as some helicopter displays and some pretty cool radio controlled tank battles. Robbie and Lydia ha a great time playing in the water that was released when they dismantled the model frigate pool.

Asher playing on his favourite toy. The ride on. He happily will sit for hours mowing lawns.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Baby Adelaide is born

2009-10-30T19:54:00.001+13:00

Tasi looking like she just walked out of the salon only hours after giving birth.

Little baby Adelaide. She was 7 pounds 4 ounces. She has Lots of brown hair. Born at 1:02pm. 9 hours 31 min labour. Tasi's longest yet. This was Tasi's first epidural and she said it was awesome. Present at the birth was Carly, Pita, and Tasi (obviously).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weekend BBQs

2009-10-25T21:10:00.000+13:00

Our proposed color scheme. Mustard walls. Off white doors and ceilings. Chocolate carpets. White tiles.

Robbies bday party BBQ. Nice.

Asher in an authentic oriental outfit Jasmine bought him back from Hong Kong. Thanks Jaz.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bonsai Exhibition

2009-10-12T21:41:00.001+13:00

I LoVe BoNsAi

This Sunday just past we headed to the Pavilion to check out the Hamilton Bonsai Exhibition. It was really amazing to see all the little miniature trees. Some of them were so tiny it was hard to believe that they were over 20 years old. The oldest one, that I saw, was nearly 40 years old.

I really love these tiny mini trees, I felt like a giant looking down on them, able to see them from all angles. I especially loved the Bonsai forest scenes were there was a grouping of trees together, with little pathways around the trees, with falling leaves and tiny grass growing, it was really nice trying to imagine walking through the mini forest that someone had created.

Tasi and I both decided that we wanted our own Bonsai, though she would like to buy one already grown and I would like to grow my own. I actually spent this evening looking around the property for possible seedlings that I could start training.

Asher loves hanging out with his little cousin Lydia, though I think she gets a little grumpy with him wanting to touch and play with her all the time.

After the exhibition we took the little ones out to play around the gardens, they were having a really good time. Asher was having a bit too much fun at one stage, trying to climb into the lake.

Spring is here

2009-09-06T10:24:00.001+12:00

Well, Asher has survived his first winter... He is becoming a real little boy. As the warmer elongated days of spring lighten the aluminium clad cave where we have hibernated these last few months little Asher has increased opportunities for adventure and exploration in the boundless expanse of our back yard, the garden, the small continent of a deck at Rob and Viv's, or the park.

Below is a random compilation of some of our recent photos.

In other news, on Friday Dean was offered a job at Corrections where he previously completed a placement and so we are excited about that. He just needs to pass his final exam. Our house plans are coming along and we are hoping to hear from the broker this week as to whether or not our mortgage was approved.

Asher on the slide

Just some photos

2009-07-16T09:01:00.008+12:00

LIttle BaBY aSHEr

Pita and Tasi said that if we came to spend Christmas with them in Saudi, we could also go to Iran, Turkey, and Armenia, and go camping in the desert with the kids. I will also take Dean to some of my favourite places in Jordan and Egypt and we will end our trip with a visit to Israel. Unfortunately Iraq dosn't issue visas so we won't be able to go there, which is a shame because I have always wanted to visit the ruins of Babylon, (yes I know that they have mostly been destroyed). Having said all this I am most looking forward to wearing the burka/abiya everywhere. Of course this all depends on everything going to plan with building our house, which with all the counsil permits etc that we need is coming along at a tediously slow pace.

Asher is becoming a little boy, he is now 10 months old and as Rose said is crawling and having all sorts of adventures which mainly include the destruction of everything in sight. The cutest thing is that he now follows me around the house. Like others I am looking forward to the arrival of summer, we hope to be in our new house and there are lots (well 2, at least) exciting events to look forward to.

Holiday options

2009-07-09T10:53:00.006+12:00

HoLIdAy OpTioNS

Dean and I have decided to go on a holiday at the end of the year, but we just can't decide where to go, we have come up with four different options, but just don't know which one to choose. We know that several of our friends have probably been to these places so we want to know your opinions on where to go. I looked on the internet and posted the first photo I could find of each destination.

Option One - India

Obviously India would be amazing. We would probably travel by train around the country, I would also want to go to the jungle to see where Mowgli lived (that book was based in India right?)

Option Two - Peru

We would go to Machu Pichu in Peru, but would probably struggle to spend 4 weeks there, so would travel to neighbouring countries as well, probably by bus, but I would consider hiring a car or something as well.

Option Three - Vietnam

Dean and I were watching top gear a few months ago and they went on a scooter trip through Vietnam, It looked really fun and now we want to do it, we would probably go to Laos and Cambodia as well. The only negative to this trip is that I have already spent a bit of time in Asia and it would be good to go somewhere new.

Option Four - Saudi Arabia

The benefits to this trip are obvious with Pita and Tasi living there. We would be able to take Asher with us would have somewhere nice to stay and would have transport. Its very central to lots of other countries ie Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan and we would even fit in a trip to Israel. Wherever we went we would drive ourselves which is my prefered mode of transport, and we could spend time with family.

As you can see we have four very good options to choose from.

so sad

2009-06-26T12:17:00.003+12:00

BilLiE JeAN

I will miss M.J.

photo 14

2009-06-22T13:02:00.006+12:00

ThE 14th of JuNe

(Mr T.)

Well I looked for the 14th photo in the 6th folder of my laptop and to my amusement it was a picture of Mr T. I found this really funny given Crystals comment on Rosie's blog, "At least it wasn't a boring photo of Mr T". Because this was so boring I thought that given that today is the 22nd I would post that photo as well, luckily it is the 22nd today because photo 21 is another photo of Mr T. I don't even like Mr T. that much, I don't know where all these photos of him came from.

(Sam, Lucy, Rose, Pita, Chucky, Carly)

So here is photo number 22 still not as exciting as other peoples but better than Mr T. This was a great canoe trip it was the second time I had been downthe Wanganui river but this time was the best because everyone was there, and this time there were alot more spills which always adds to the excitement, in fact I think everyone ended up in the later at some stage except maybe Liz?

2009-05-06T11:21:00.007+12:00

Cinnamon Rolls

Well since cousin Emma was visiting last week, we tried to do some fun and exciting things. Fun and exciting for Rosie meant baking, she made these awesome cinnamon rolls (above) as well as a lemon pie and some baked potatoes, she is becoming quite the baker.

Another 'fun' thing we did was go to the memorial gardens and try to take pictures of us all jumping in the air on self timer...we could have done more interesting things its true but we couldn't really be bothered. For instance Dean spent the day out at Raglan on a 45km bike track with his South African work mate, mostly up hill, he only made 30kms but I was still impressed.

We also went out to a new vegetarian restaurant in town, and I had the most delicious spinach dish, Emma had something with lentils that was very nice and Joe had these really yummy dumpling things, and it was all really cheap...at first I wanted to go to this bento place that Dean and I discovered, but I'm glad Joe convinced us to go Indian because now I know two really good restaurants.

Anzac, Easter, and our Own Special Little Easter Bunny

2009-04-18T22:01:00.001+12:00

Well Easter and Anzac have now pretty much come and gone and here we are. They are an interesting pair of holidays with both striking similarities and paradoxical contrasts; while both are hallowed memorials to fallen heroes, one underlies peace and the other war. Below is a photo of Deans Grandad who served during WWII in Africa. He spent most of the war in a prison camp. He is 89 now and is mostly blind, hard of hearing and can no longer walk, however, he is the most loved person in the RSA rest home where he receives multiple visits daily from his wife, son (Deans dad) and grand children (deans brother and sisters). And so, as the sun sets on one generation, it rises on another.

Little Asher continues to grow and is now sitting up. He is very playful and enjoys peekaboo, tickles, smiles, and just being with people. The other day little Asher was trying out some new solids - a rice cracker; he was enjoying sucking on it but at one stage the cracker became sufficiently soggy that it developed an adhesive quality and became bound to the tip of his tongue. For some time Asher tried unsuccessfully to withdraw his tongue into his mouth to capture the elusive cracker but every time to no avail resulting in this sticky tip of the tongue cracker that recoiled to and fro from his mouth.

2009-03-13T12:34:00.002+13:00

Well a month or two ago, its true that Dean and I were not planning on building our home at all, but we were overcome by the 'building fever', with all of Joe's home plans and then with Pitas enthusiasm. It still would not be happening if it were not for Mum and Dad's generosity with the section. Its quite funny, when I had Asher I discovered that I could speak for hours with anyone, about babies and birth and other such things that I had previously found very boring. And now I find that I can spend hours speaking to anyone (who will listen) about roofing products, exterior cladding's and flooring. It really is very exciting, although we are a little jealuous that we are unable to build a house of Joe's proportions (just to give you an idea his plan is 3 times the size of ours). Well we were waiting until the building had actually started before we told everyone, but we couldn't keep the news to ourselves.

In other news little Asher has had his first illness, he has a temperature and a sore throat, the poor little man. He tries to be happy, but its a struggle for him. I took him to the doctors today, and got him some medicine, so hopefully he will be happier soon.

House Plans

2009-03-12T22:34:00.001+13:00

These are the plans we got back from the builder today. We can still make adjustments to them so if anyone has any ideas we are all ears. We are hoping to start in a month or two when the titles come through.

Random

2009-02-11T20:37:00.001+13:00

Asher Floats

2009-01-24T22:12:00.001+13:00

Note Robby at about 28 seconds. Very funny.

Endless Summer

2009-01-24T12:28:00.005+13:00

SuMmEr TIme

Well I had pretty much decided that I wouldn't visit Pita and Tasi in Saudi, and then Tasi tried her Burka on. Now I want to go to Saudi just so I can wear one too. I think its so exotic and beautifull. Tasi's has jewelled patterns on the back and jewelled cuffs as well as little tassells that hang down. Admittedly she really suits black and apparently I don't, but it would take alot of hassle out of deciding what to wear everyday.

jewelled detailing on the back and also on the headscarf which you can't quite see

We have had a very eventfull summer this year, cousin Emma visited from England, Pita and Tasi are back from Egypt and are still here for a couple of weeks before they head to Saudi, Tom, Jonelle and their kids stayed with us for a couple of weeks and Pete, Liz, Mack and Alice all visited (see Rosie's blog for more details). We made a great water slide and Asher and I hang out in our little paddle pool almost everyday, its so stinky hot.

Leonard Cohen Concert

2009-01-23T13:19:00.002+13:00

'If it be your will' and 'Gypsy wife'

Mum and I went to the Leonard Cohen concert on Thursday night. It was great. Heres a couple of tracks that he played

Christmas Time, Terrorists, Family, and Another Year Gone By

2009-01-01T22:34:00.001+13:00

Our christmas presents courtesy of Pita and Tasi. We all had grand plans to wear our Arab attire to the airport to pick up the Cammocks. We thought airport security might appreciate our costumes. Sadly, it never came to fruition. However, we did all pile onto a mini truck and take a raucous ride around temple view making terrorist battle cries as we passed by generally bemused and confused onlookers.

Sky City shrouded by fog on a muggy summer eve - taken while waiting for Pita and Tasi to pick me up from the 5 star hotel we were all staying at courtesy of Tasi's cousin Jeff. We then headed for a late night snack at a cafe on the viaduct called 'chow' which served some of the best cuisine any of us had tasted at 11pm at night. mmmm, blue cheese wonton in a grape coulis dip, soy and garlic marinated beef ribs, battered mussels, and coconut cream and lamb curry.

Harriet and the bonfire on New Years Eve.

The New Years Eve crowd undeterred by the rain.

My fav Asher outfit

Ashers first swim. He even went right under. He came up looking shocked his eyes as big and round as lemons. Everyone had a very excellent time having under water races, piggy back races, shoulder fights, water akido lessons, and general frollicking in the sun drenched school pool.

Temple Lights and Farm Sights

2008-12-15T15:57:00.001+13:00

Some photos taken at the temple lights on Sunday 14th December 2008 after an outing to the pollock farm.

Raglan

2008-12-10T21:11:00.001+13:00

It was a sparkling day today. Rosie had the day off work and cousin Emma is in town. We decided it would be nice to go for an outing. So, Chucky, Rosie, Emma, Carly, Asher, and I piled in the car and headed out to Raglan. We sat and watched a bunch of school kids get surf lessons from a hilltop picnic table where we savagely devoured a meagre serving of over-priced fish and chips. Then we lay in the sun on the hilltop and surveyed the panoramic extravaganza of sand, sea, and sky.

A Trip to The Rose Gardens

2008-11-30T12:23:00.001+13:00

Christmas came early for Dean this year. Carly got him (or more accurately - let him get), an SLR camera. He has been enjoying it. Here are some of our photos from a trip to the Rose Gardens.

Asher Speaks

2008-11-24T16:57:00.001+13:00

The Chronicles of asher part 1

Asher has become quite responsive and talkative of late. The other day he had just awoken and was grizzling so dad went to pick him up and as he reached in to grab him a broad smile widened over his face amidst his continued baby moans. He has also become quite talkative and responds to baby gaggle in kind... when he is in a wakeful, alert, sociable state. Today he did two explosive poohs that his nappies were unable to contain. The poos made it all the way up his back to his arms and neck.

An Asher Montage Narrated by: Asher Gauthern

Trip to the Coromandel

2008-11-22T21:31:00.006+13:00

ROAD TRIP

Well it was sort of a road trip, Dean and I went on our first holiday with the baby. Because the weathers been so nice lately we thought that we would visit Deans sister on the Coromandel before the holidays when it will be super busy. It was a good trip. It took us about twice as long as it normally would because we had to stop now and then to feed Asher, but it was good because it gave us a chance to stop at lots of nice little bays and beaches that we would have normally driven straight past.

One of the days we were there we decided to climb up a hill to this cabbage tree, there were really nice views and it was good for me to get some exercise, (I still have lots of pregnancy fat to loose). Later that evening Dean went out fishing and saw a school of about 20 dolphins who kept them company while they were out there, which meant that they couldn't do any fishing, but I would rather see dolphins than eat fish anyway. The forests on the Coromandel were also very nice, with lots of palms and ferns, with knarly trees in between, the beaches are also lined with Pohutakawa trees, which I'm sure would look amazing when they are in flower ( a week or so from now). In all it was a good trip and it was no hassle having the baby with us at all, so we are all set for lots more summer adventures before Dean has to go back to work in the new year.

Rosie Quotes

2008-11-11T11:37:00.006+13:00

Rosie on one of the rare occasions shes been tramping with us

RoSiE qUoTEs

'I'm just a normal person trying to live in the world, there are way meaner people than me, i.e. Hitler'.

This was Rosie's response to me calling her mean after she kicked Izzy and her friends off the trampoline after 20 minutes, not because she wanted to use it, but because she didn't want them there. A few years ago now Lucy and I put together a book of 'Rosie Quotes', I really wish that I had it now because she had some really funny ones, which involved things like Knives and forks, gingerbread men and a 'pee ness'.
I don't know why Mum thought it necessary to buy a trampoline as Chucky is 16 now (he's the youngest) and obviously isn't that interested in playing on a trampoline.

Talking about quotes did everyone hear the comment that the Italian PM made about Obama He said: ' He(Obama) has everything needed to reach deals with him: he's young, handsome and even tanned'.

And talking about PM's I am really sad to see Helen Clarke go, while I didn't like her government or policy's I really like her and she was a good overseas representative, I just feel like we have replaced her with Goofy(aka John Keys), I think he may turn out to be the George Bush of New Zealand.

Birthdays and such

2008-11-04T11:18:00.012+13:00

BiRtHdaYs aNd OtHeR ThIngS

Lian made me the awesome cake pictured above. The key to a good birthday is to put up a notice a couple of weeks before the date, (I put my notice up on the fridge at Mum and Dads place) firstly to remind people that it is your birthday and secondly to list items that you would like to recieve as gifts. This method has always worked well for me and this year was no exception as I recieved a pretty good haul of gifts, I think that having recently had a baby helped as people who wouldn't usually have got me anything were thinking of me. And the family all went out for dinner to celebrate.

Joe, Rose, Dean and I were talking the other night and wishing that we knew a midget or a dwarf so that they could push Asher around in his little pram in town, we all thought that this would be hilarious. In the photo below with Dean and Asher, Dean has dressed him, I thought that it was a bit of an ugly outfit, but he disagreed, so I would be curious to see what others think.

Asher is now over five weeks old, below are photos of him at 1 day and 5 weeks exactly, he is starting to turn into a little chubba, but still has to gain a bit of fat to get to the really cute stage. Every so often i find my self calling him little Robbie, I guess I just got so use to talking about little Robbie and his name runs of the tounge easier than Asher.

When I was finally booked into the hospital for my inducement I remember being excited as I had never stayed in the hospital before, it seemed this big strange building where all shorts of mysterious things were taking place on a 24/7 basis, a bit like the ministry of magic in Harry Potter. Now everytime I drive by or see the place I find myself becoming distressed and anxious as its now associated with the most traumatic experience of my life. Just in short, I was admitted on a Wednesday and left on a friday, but even then it took a monumentous effort to leave as I could barely walk and they have this policy that if you can't walk out on your own, you can't leave, but I was determined and I didn't want to stay there for even one more night. In the time I was there I had 15 internal exams all by different people, 3 gel insertions, a catheta that I had to wear for several days after I left the hospital, ( hence the name 'catheta girl' thanks to rose and Evie) my waters broken with what looked like a knitting needle, a drip, an epidural, more drugs in a drip to try and bring on the labour, a botched up needle for the drip, they had to use forceps so they cut me, and then they tore my spincter with the forceps. The short story is that I think Asher will probably be an only child.

Luckily for Asher he will have plenty of cousins. I think that this summer is going to be really great, Pita and Tasi will be home with the two kids, and there friends from wellington are planning to visit them while there here. Cousin Emma is coming for a visit on her way down to Christchurch. Tom and Jonelle are planning on a trip, and hopefully pete and liz. I have been teasing my Dad telling him that he and Mum might as well set up a 'Day Care' with all the kids that will be around. Talking about my Mum she will be back from her trip to Egypt in a week or so. A recent weather report said that we are in for some good summer weather.

2008-10-25T19:40:00.006+13:00

Another Wedding

Deans Mum got re-married this weekend. It was just a nice informal ceremony with a celebrant in her backyard. Luckily the weather held out because the forecast was for rain. Anyway her new hubby's name is Ren. She met him on the Coromandel, when she was staying with Mel. He lives at the camp in his caravan. They both looked very happy.

Deans nieces acted as flower girls and ringbearer, and his nephew Connor wanted in on the action as well.

Teddy and her new hubby. Dean acted as one of the witnesses and also had to give a little speech. The celebrant is also the LDS chaplin who works at the hospital, He came to visit me when I was in hospital with Asher.

Ashers cousins loved playing with him for the afternoon, above is Melissa (holding him) and Hannah. He was pretty well asleep the whole time but didn't seem to mind them all poking, proding and holding him.

I Love my Little Baby

Here is Asher in his 'favourite pram' he only just fits in it and I think thats why he likes it so much because it makes him feel all snuggly. We were hoping that he would still fit in it when Robbie gets back and then he could push him in it, but I'm pretty sure Asher would have well out grown it by then.

Heres me with my 'little moppet'. Today he is 4 weeks + 1 day.

He's really starting to get big now. He's no longer a newborn, he's a 1 month old baby.

Little Hands and Feet

2008-10-24T19:18:00.001+13:00

We wanted to get some photos of Little Asher's little hands and feet before they become not so little.

Asher's Adventures: Part 2

2008-10-19T15:28:00.001+13:00

Ok, so little Asher is now three weeks old. He is growing like a Vietnamese bamboo shoot in our esteemed expert opinions [sic]. He has gained 1kg in 2 weeks (at his last midwife weigh in). Mum and dad are job sharing the night shift feeds at the moment with mum doing the day time babycare while dad goes to school and placement etc... All in all our house feels more like a home. Whether its holding the little prince high up on the parapets of his parents shoulders while he surveys his dark kingdom in the silent hours of the early morn, or washing and sterilising baby bottles, or weeing on his own face (due to an unfortunate penile position during a nappy change), or talking about future plans and parenting strategies little Asher continues to enchant us.

In other news, Rob got back from Egypt this week after what sounds like an awesome trip, I finished uni for the year (just a final exam to go) and Carly continues to heal well.

Asher's Adventures: Part 1

2008-09-28T16:02:00.007+13:00

Wow…

Asher has finally arrived. Asher ? Gauthern arrived into this world on 26th September, 2008 at 2:55pm. He was 8.5 pounds, and got top marks on his first exam, the Apgar.

His late arrival has left Carly and I wondering if this is a sign of things to come. I mean, I have turned up late to work in the past, and missed the odd class at uni before, and we were an hour or two late to our own wedding reception…. But two weeks! Well, he is here now and is just delicious… he is teeny and helpless, and handsome. His hands are like that of a miniature old man with the skin sitting loosely and folded. He has a cute little snort when he starts to breath heavily before grizzling. He is perfect.

It is striking to consider how different our lives have become overnight. Neither of us have slept for more than 3-4 hours for the last 5 days. It is as though a new sun has risen in our little world... One that shines brightest at night :) Suddenly the rotation of our lives has altered dramatically, yet naturally as well. The gravity of our priceless gift has instantly begun to tug our desires, interests, and affections in new and unchartered directions. Many things seem more in perspective now, illuminated by the brightness of our new sun.

This is not to say that his arrival was not without incident. Even while he was waiting restlessly in the womb adventures and misadventures were swirling about him. On our second night in the hospital, I decided to have a shower. The shower was fine but towards the end I noticed the room becoming slightly overcome with steam. Like many a household I had been in in the past the hospital shower had a cord to pull which I vainly assumed to be a ceiling fan switch. How mistaken I was. No sooner had I given it a tug a loud alarm signal sounded. Moments later the pitter patter of nurse sneakers hurriedly responding to the emergency signal. Realising my error I hastily attempted to dress myself. A nurses voice called into the cubicle, “are you alright in there”? …. I meekly explained my false assumption… from inside I heard the chitter chatter of nurse talk which carly later told me (as our room was directly outside the toilet) was the nurses saying “it’s a gentleman in there”, “a gentlemen?” “yes, a gentleman”. Finally one of them informed me that I was not supposed to be in there, and that it was a patient only facility. As I snuck back to our room I glanced at the entrance to the facility and noted the figurine of a woman in a dress on a plaque.

The following day while Carly was in recovery after delivering Asher I was preparing to leave and emptied all of our rubbish into what I thought was the rubbish bin only to learn later that it was a linen bag when a nurse came to collect it.

I will not say too much of the delivery, except that, Carly was amazing. She was strong, courageous, and resilient. Occasionally I felt somewhat discouraged when things were not progressing. She went through something that I could not imagine experiencing. I feel very grateful to her and for her. At times I felt guilty that she was suffering so much for something that I wanted.

And so, that is my version of Little Asher’s entrance into our lives. Asher means in Hebrew ‘blessing’ or ‘gift’. He has lived up to his name more than either of us could have imagined.

2008-08-25T10:12:00.006+12:00

The brides niece, sister and best friend, Ayumi the bride, Chris, Luca, Dean, Bevan and celebrant

ANotHEr WeDdiNG

Deans family (from right to left) Mum/Teddy, Aunty Heather the grooms mum, me, Wayne, Sara, Fleur, Jake.

(Chris the groom, Luca the grooms son, Dean, Bevan a groomsman and the celebrant who was gay)

Over the Weekend Dean was the best man at his cousins wedding. It was a dreary winters day, but at least the rain held off for a couple of hours for the ceremony and photos. It was held at a funtion centre just out of Hamilton which was really nice, just a bit stark given that it's winter. They had a bunch of doves that they released at the end of the ceremony and a couple of guests got pooed on, it was funny. There was an open bar so people were getting pretty loose before the meal had even started.

Ayumi the bride is chris's second wife, his first wife was Japanese as well, Ayumi is very nice and her family all came over from Japan. Anyway so here is a picture of Dean and I 9 months pregnant. It's quite tiring being pregnanat, but I have no doubt that it's more tiring being a Mum and Dad, I think our bodies know this as both Dean and I sleep for at least 10 hours solid a night lately. Anyway not long to go now, its just a matter of days.

2008-08-21T00:42:00.004+12:00

Auckland

We decided to go to Auckland for the weekend for our anniversary. Just for fun we decided to catch the bus, this was interesting (in terms of the other patrons) and made us feel like it was more of an adventure, like two country folk heading to the big smoke on the bus. We stayed at a hotel right by the casino and managed to loose a whole $30 on the pokies before we gave up, this was a little depressing as the guy next to us kept managing to win albeit only $30 in total but anyway it was fun and where else are you going to go late on a sunday night. The hotel had a nice spa bath with cable and sky so we watched alot of the olympic action, and did the regular tourist type things, like the markets and the wharf etc. We went to the local super market where we were by far the minority, it being full of asians, even the buskers out front were asian and when it was time to leave we felt quite sad, which is always a sign of a good trip.

2008-08-21T00:29:00.002+12:00

It's late and I'm bored

We have now had week's of rain, its starting to get everyone a little down I think. Dean has some friends who have decided to join the other half of our country and move to Australia, and after all the misrable weather I wouldn't mind moving there myself especially after I heard on the radio recently that the average wage in OZ is 100,000. I have been trying to download photos of what I do all day, which is make stuff for the baby, but its not working, its cold outside. I don't have long to go until the baby arrives and I suddenly realise that theres lots to get done before he does.

Its our anniversary

2008-08-07T01:52:00.005+12:00

4 YeARs Of BeInG MaRrIEd

Dean and I were married on the 7th August 2004. It was a Saturday and it was wet, but not so much as to be bothersome. We had the ceremony in the Temple at 11.30am Dean picked me up that morning from my house and we went together. Later that day we had a reception at the Koromatua community hall, this was a last minute venue as our original had been canceled. However the hall ended up being better. We had around 150 guests. Given that I had only just returned from my mission and Dean was still a student we had to keep it a very modest affair, which it was as far as weddings go. My dress cost $25 from the salvo's, mum bought my flowers from pak'n'save, a lady in the ward gave us a good price for the catering, mum arranged a couple of her friends for the band and another friend to make the cake. The cake was yummy, Dean and I saved ourselves a whole tier and ate the whole thing the following day with some help from Pita and Tasi. The whanau did all the decorations in the hall, with gaylynne at the helm. Dean and I had a great time and never wanted to leave, after all the guests except whanau had left we sat down and opened all of our presents it was really fun.

Honeymoon in Cairns

Dean and I headed off to Cairns for our honeymoon, the beaches were beautiful the water was warm and the weather was perfect. A friend loaned us his station wagon for a couple of weeks so we were able to do a bit of exploring going up north to the rain forests and heading inland to visit various lakes and reserves. We also visited a couple of wildlife parks, but we saw the most interesting animals in the wild. We had the best of both worlds really as we could drive out into the country side and do some exploring then come back to town and eat takeaways, watch movies, play tennis and hang out on the beach. Cairns was great I hope I can get back there sometime soon.

Deano the Perfect Hubby

The first time I saw Dean was at a church 'dine and dance' for some reason he had come dressed in a seventies suit, which was very tight on his bottom, and was initially wearing an afro wig, I assumed this was some sort of dare as he soon removed it. He was also the only guy to arrive with a large group of girls, he never had an adequate explanation for this, but I'm assuming its the reason why he has no recollection of me at the dance at all, admittedly we didn't talk or interact in anyway, but I decided that I liked the look of him. The first contact I made with him was several months later, I had just returned from a spell working in Sydney. Pita was not long back from his mission, and had befriended Dean in my absence. On my return we had a movie night, Dean was there and this time I made sure I didn't go unnoticed.

In the four years that I have been married, I have had the opportunity to do some pretty amazing things including:

A trip to the Philippines to visit Pita and catch up with Rose
spend 3 months in Taiwan visiting Rose and working part-time
A great trip to Tonga, this time with Dean.
A holiday to the middle-east to spend time with Pita and Tasi, then on to London

One of the first things that attracted me to Dean was his obvious sensitivity and emotional openness which was mixed with just the right amount of mean to be manly. Dean knows how important it is for me to be able to see my family and has always made it possible for me to see them when they have been far away. Without Dean I couldn't have afforded any of these trips, and most of them have been without him as he has usually been too busy to come, but he has always supported and wanted me to go even though he couldn't. I don't think there are many husbands who would let their wives go away for so long and as often as he does, as well as indulging my wants when I am at home. He is the perfect man.

SoPpy LoVe SOng FOr DEan
Gravity by Bic Runga

2008-08-05T15:58:00.016+12:00

More Baby Stuff

Well feeling like it was about time to do another post, (and having nothing much to do lately except wait) the only thing that I have really to write about is the upcoming arrival of our baby. First thing I thought I should do is tell you about how awesome Gaylynne Tunstall (My neighbour) is. Because basically she has bought and given me most of what I have so far for the baby, not only including such things as clothes, but furniture, blankets and toys as well. So in the group of pictures below just about everything is from her. So big shout out to Gaylynne. I should also thank her hubby kevin with the super good job who actually paid for it all.

The pictures below are things that I have either bought or made myself, so go me. though I have given up making baby bibs as they are quite time consuming to make and very cheap to buy, but as soon as I can be bothered I will make some more baby bloomer outfits, the black crushed velvet and the red corduroy are my favourite's so far. At first I was only planning to dress little Asher in black and white, then I decided that red would be OK too, but then most things I have been given are in none of those colours.

And the photos from my latest scan, like I said previously the bigger the baby gets the harder he is to make out. But in one of them I can make out a foot. At my next midwife appointment I will ask for a 3d photo scan, which will show us all what the baby actually looks like. I was glad to discover at my last scan that the baby is only on track to weigh 7 pounds and that he currently weighs about 5. I counted this as a blessing as my mum had really big babies. The Radiologist told me I was having a nice normal european sized baby...I didn't say anything even though strictly I don't consider myself as european.

I have to admit that I have done a bit of a Nicole Kidman in terms of not giving up exercise, I still try to do lots, including weights and riding my bike around at night time. And while I have definitely put on alot more weight than she did, I'm hoping that all my exercise will put me in good steed to loose it all quikly after the birth. I'm even thinking about going for a hike up to the pinnacles next weekend with Dean and Dad. I just figure that theres plenty of asian's and africans who walk for miles heavily pregnant for water and work in rice paddies until there babies drop out, so theres no reason why a westerner like me can't go for a hike. Also I decided against anti-natal classes, I don't know why but I just didn't like the sound of them. Anyway to all my friends and family who arn't close by I miss you guys.

Baby images and baby 'shower'

2008-07-14T14:30:00.006+12:00

BABY IMAGES

11Weeks

This image was taken at 11 weeks when I went in to have a dating scan, we found it very cute as we could actually make out the outline of a baby. We were so excited (and still are of course). I was sure that it would be a girl, but we had to wait another 10 weeks to find out. Unfortunately for me I was not sick at all, this was slightly dissappointing as I was hoping to be puking-up all the time and loosing lots of weight, but no this was not to be, and other than sleeping a bit more than usual my pregnancy has been uneventfull. I still 'milk it' when necessary i.e. like needing to sit in the front seat, always choosing what we eat and just getting people to run around after me in general.

20 Weeks

So we were excited to see how much our little bubs had grown when we went back for our anatomy scan at 20 weeks, but we were let down as we couldn't really make a baby out from any of the images as he had grown so big. This image shows his spine but all the images were really vague to us. I think there was one point where I could actually make out a foot, and Dean thinks that he could see his penis when the nurse pointed it out to show us he was a boy, but it all just looked like fuzz to me. I'm going in for another scan next week to rule out a placenta Praevia, so maybe I will get some better images then.

Baby Shower

Well this past Saturday, Rosie organised my 'Baby Shower'. Our core group of friends showed up and i felt very spoilt with lots of gifts and attention. We played lots of games, all of which I enjoyed except the one where everyone had to guess the width of my stomach...someone guessed 68inchs which was way bigger than the actual size. Anyway only 6 weeks to go at most, even less if I end up having to have a c-section (because of the placenta issue) and its vey exciting but scary at the same time. This morning when my alarm went off, and I ignored it, I wondered how long I would be able to ignore a crying baby...I ignored my alarm for 45minutes, and then I just turned it off.

2008-06-24T14:39:00.007+12:00

joE And BeliNdA's WeDdinG

June 21st 2008

(Chuck, Pete, Joe and Pita, with Dean,Sam and Mack in the background)

Well it has been a long time since I have made any postings, so I thought that Joe and Belinda's wedding would be the perfect way to get back into it. Everything ran very smoothly and the Bride and Groom had a great day. There were lots of guest and family attending, the only down side was that it was such a busy weekend that I didn't have enough time to spend with everyone.

(Belinda, Joe, Liz, Pete, Mack and Alice)

The ceremony took place in Saint Andrews Presbyterian church, the same one where Belinda's Grandma was married, by the local minister who did a really good job, one of Mums friends played the pipe organ and our friend Josh sang as Belinda walked down the isle (when I noticed a tear in more than one of the groomsman's eyes) and as they signed the register. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the Chapel or ceremony but I am sure someone else will (hopefully Rosie), the above pictures were taken outside, before the bridal party headed down to the River for their professional photos.

After the actual ceremony most of the guests including myself went on to the reception, which was held at the gardens...luckily there were nibbles and drinks for everyone while we waited for the bride and groom, (they were having their photos) because I was very hungry. A few family and friends from both sides of the family had spent the evening before setting everything up, and I think it all looked very nice. Gaylynne added some great finishing touches, and the flower arrangements bought it all together very nicely.

2008-06-24T13:00:00.006+12:00

(Luke, Jake, Pita, Belinda, Keri, and Ana) (Me,Pita and Dean)

Pita was the best man and came all the way from Cairo to be their. He did a great job of the speech with just the right amount of humour and sincerity and lots of compliments to the bride and her family etc...Dean and I had a great time just hanging out as did the rest of the family, though we struggled a little bit to get through the last hours of the night as we didn't have the alchohol fuel that most the other guest had, but we enjoyed it to the end. Belinda and Joe stayed until about 11pm and after that things slowly started to wind down. The Irish band providing the music were really good and kept everyone entertained.

(Chucky, Evie, Rose, Sam, Mum, Me, Dean) (Liz, Alice, Izzy, Kashka, Jasmine, Gaylynne, Kevin)

Joe and Belinda did their wedding speeches together thanking everyone and saying nice things about each other. Belinda and her bridesmaids all looked very beautiful as did Joe and his groomsman look hansom.

(The bride and groom cutting their cake)

Well I am hoping that Rosie will post some photos soon as she took alot more than me, and soon i will try and do some post's of other things that have been happening in my life since February (the date of my last post) particularly about my pregnancy and the names we have been thinking about.

2008-06-10T22:07:00.010+12:00

(Dean scoping out Stingray Bay)

viSiToRs eQuAl ouTinGs

(Carly and Dean: Cathedral Cove, Coromandel)

Well I knew that Angel was arriving in NZ with her Fiancee Russ at some stage, but after the ETA came and went without hearing from her I was somewhat surprised, pleasnatly, when they turned up at my house one day. They were heading down to Queenstown within the week so we wasted no time in heading out for a bit of a tiki tour around. I don't look too excited in the above photo because it was quite a long and steep walk to get there, and being 7 months pregnant it was a slight mission, but I paced myself.

(Carly and Dean, Sunrise at Waihi Beach)

Conveniently Belinda's family have a bach out at Waihi beach which they were nice enough to let us stay at for a few nights, so using it as our base we explored a bit of the coromandel. Our first morning we got up for the sunset which was beautiful and then over the next couple of days we did some day trips to Cathedral Cove (above) and Hot water Beach amongst other things.

(Carly, Angel, Russ at the Waterfalls) (Carly, Angel, Russ, Raglan Beach)

We also took Russ and Angel on a camping trip to one of our favourite tramping spots, out at te atutu south, which really is in the booneys, while most of the possums had been poisoned off, we still had some fun doing some target practice, of course Dean and Russ wanted to shoot at our gas canisters but they were dissappointed in the lack of explosion. While they were obsessing over finding things to shoot, Angel and I had to set up the camp, light the fire and get the food ready. It was a cool night, literally, I was fine in my fairydown but others were suffering, thats all part of the fun of camping.

(Angel and Russ, Dean, Angel and Russ)

(Russ, Carly, Angel, Dean, Carly, Angel)

So we managed all these things in the space of a week, Angel and Russ even managed a day trip to Rotorua. I learnt that I can't do the sme things as easily now as when I wasn't pregnant and subsequently Dean and I had to re-arange a couple of our future planned trips, ie a 3 day mountain bike trip turned into a 3 day trip to Rotorua in a hotel with our own private spa, which I think Dean was secretly pleased about, but i was a bit dissappointed.

RaGlaN, cOroMaNdEl anD tHe bOoNeY's

The Weeks Happenigs

2007-11-11T12:49:00.000+13:00

GUY FAWKES BONFIRE

On the Weekend we had the usual celebratory bonfire for Guyfawkes, even i have to admit that this year it was pretty impressive, the picture taken below captures it towards its end...the only downside was that we forgot to make a dummy to burn. Anyway we all had a good time, and let off our Roman candles and lit our sparklers. Bring back the days of Rockets is what i say.

ROBBIE IN THE STOCKCRATE

Robbie wasnt very good at riding in the stockcrate as he kept falling over etc...but he still enjoyed playin in there when the truck wasnt moving. Hes also become an officianado at riding up front on the scooter (previously he would hit his chin with every bump). He also likes to ride on the ride on mower when we are cutting the lawns.

BELINDAS FARM

On Saturday afternoon, we were invited out to Belindas place to meet her parents. The farm where whe grew up is really beautifull and only 30mins out of town (out Cambridge ways). We spent the afternoon playing lawm tennis and introducing little robbie to all the animals, they Belindas dad took us on a tour of the farm. At the highest point we took this photo of Chucky and Robbie, where the views were amazing.

2007-11-05T19:56:00.000+13:00

A Beautiful Baby Girl

'Remember remember the 5th of November,

the gun powder treason and plot...'

So Pita and Tasi have themselves a little "Guy Fawkes' baby, so none of us should have any trouble remembering her birthday.

Well today Monday the 5th of November Pita and Tasi's little girl was born. They are yet to think of a name for her, though they seem to be considering Lydia, though i like Prudence myself. They are having her blood tests done so we will know if she has rubella in the next few days. Physically she looks perfect, apart from a tiny skin tag on her ear.

She was born at approximately 5pm after Tasi was induced around 1pm, so Tasi had to go through 4 hrs of labour. She weighed 7.8 pounds, which we all thought was pretty good considering a few weeks ago the doctors were saying whe wouldnt make 5.5. She has lots of hair that is currently light blond just like little robbies.

Little Robbie seemed a bit confused by his sisters arrival at first, but he soon warmed to her, he will be glad to have a little friend back in Egypt.

2007-10-13T21:34:00.000+13:00

EGYPT

Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Sinai Peninsula

Yes i have a tonne more photos from Egypt, but the more i thought about it i realised that most people who read my blog will also have read rosies blog, and she has already downloaded all of the photos i want to show, so if you're wanting to see more photos and havnt already, check out rosies blog.

Well as i started on my final leg home, i felt very lucky to have been born in New Zealand, i cant imagine having to live my life in Cairo, it is a great city and pita and tasi have a great lifestyle, but i dont think they would choose to live there permanently...there are so many reasons for this, over crowding, egyptian/arab mentality/having to bargain and haggle for every taxi ride and every purchase....i loved Cairo and after my time there it started to feel very familiar, and now that im home i really miss it, but there is still no better place to come home to than New Zealand...having said that i am suffering some post holiday depression.

2007-10-13T21:02:00.000+13:00

Damascus, Homs, Hamas, Palmyra, Amman, Dahab.

We were so excited to arrive in the ancient city of damascus, where pita and rose are standing in the photo above is the 'straight road' where paul the apostle preached.

The thing that i immediatedly notice about syria was that i was treated sooo much better here that i was in Egypt...ie no harrasment and gentlemanly behaviour, ie i was served first in syria when lining up ie to exchange money etc...whereas in Egypt i would only get served after all the Egyptians, and often there were alot of them....So i have a good impression of Syria

Although i was dressed modestly, by western standards i guess, i was still required to robe up for my visit to the mosque in Damascus.

The great crusader castle 'crac de cheveilliers' in Syria, this castle was amazing we stayed here for hours exploring stairwells and dungeons, and walking down pitch black hallways, we loved it the castle alone was well worth the trip to syria....so glad we rented a car to get around all of these places.

The view here is looking out over lebannon, syria and lebannon are not that friendly with each other so we decided against going there....the same with Israel, plus we didnt want the stigma of an Israeli stamp in our passports...but maybe next time.

The view from our hotel overlooking the castle

Old Roman ruins in Damascus, we loved damascus, it was alot cleaner than Cairo, but then it only has 3million people compared to 20million in Cairo...still like i said earlier, i love Cairon

Petra. It was a relief to arrive in Petra after we cut our visit short in Amman, it was Ramadan and nothing was open, the streets were eirily quiet and our hotel was way below average, but expensive. Petra on the other hand, our hotel was amazing with beautiful views a pool and turkish bath....plus petra the ancient city itself was amazing.

We wondered around petra for a couple of hours...on our trip we just couldnt get out of the habit of sleeping in and not leaving the house or hotel until after 10 am sometimes not till after lunch, which is the very hotest hour of the day...so we were always suffering from heat exhaustion and dehydration, but this day we actually left the hotel around 9am...and petra was awesome

So here we are in Palmyra, there are so many ancient Roman ruins all over the place that unfortunately by the time we arrived in Palmyra with our little red peaugot rental, we were a little underawed by palmyra...and it was very hot, but at least we can say weve been there right?

Hamas the city of the giant waterwheels, for some reason i loved these water wheels, again built by the romans, the waterwheels pour water into an aquaduct which still operates today, which i thought was pretty cool

Snorkelling in the Red Sea was amazing the water was incredibly warm and there were schools of colourful fish all over, we went to a place called the blue hole, famed for diving but we were happy and suitable awed with our trusty snorkels

Our amazing hotel looking out to saudi arabia on the sinai peninsula.

LONDON

The first thing i noticed about london was that the air was so fresh and smelt so clean, and there was actually green grass and trees...We stayed at angelinas and lucky for us she was between jobs and able to show as around...she has a car so we drove to stonehenge, salisbury and oxford, then spent the rest of our time hanging out in london...England is beautiful, and everything was so familiar, for a start people speak english...it was the perfect windown to my holiday...the food was also great....the food in the middle east was disgusting.

Several weeks at the Office

2007-08-11T22:15:00.000+12:00

Back at the office

Well for the past few weeks I have been up in Auckland again working with Belinda at the office, things are pretty full on at the moment so I havn't had time for updates and keeping in touch with people. Its only one week untill Rose and I go on our little trip, and i will be working right up untill we leave so i have been spending my weekends trying to get organised with travel insurance and other such things, and catching up on sleep and watching my fav. TV series at the mo. 'Deadwood' its great. So working is my excuse for my recent lapse of communication with everyone, most days unless we actually leave the office, we end up working through our lunch break theres just so much to do, but the good thing is that i got a pay rise, so i will have some extra money for our trip

Almost a couple of weeks ago now Lucy, Mike and Chris were up in Auckland to get their visas for their various destinations so we caught up with them for lunch. They happened to be up on the same day Belinda was planning to pick up her engagement ring, so we all went to the mall together after work.

Althought you cant really see it here Belindas ring is platinum with a diamond, i cant remember what carat or anything but its really nice and very sparkly.

After the mall we dropped lucy at the airport, we all lamented that it was a shame she couldnt stay longer but it seems like we all have work commitments lately...I realised that it may be some time before i see her agian, but then hopefully everyone will be able to make it back for joes wedding next July. Well like I said i will be working right up untill i go so this may be my last post from NZ for a while, my next update will hopefully be from shanghai or cairo...I hope that everyone stays well in my absence and keeps me updated on all the happenings...the thing im looking forward to most on my trip is seeing little robbie again...hes such a cutie. Oh and for those of you you havnt meet belinda yet shes the one in the green shirt

pita tasi and robbie

2007-07-19T22:37:00.000+12:00

well we recieved some photos from pita and tasi this week, i cant believe how much little robbie has grown, i cant wait to see him walking around and to have him back in NZ for a while, and to see him in egypt of course. Rosie and I are going in to finalise our tickets tomorrow, which means its only one month until we leave.

Little robbie and his papa. Hopefully rose, pita and i will be travelling to syria together as well. It all depends on whether or not pita gets a promotion which if he does means he wont be able to come with us...so i guess i hope he gets the promotion and rose and i will have to go on our own, because now that ive done a little reading up on syria theres no way i want to miss it

And heres the whole whanau all together, prsumably visiting a mosque, tasi will be home for about 3 months to have there new baby, so we are lucky that we will get to see them all. Tasi says that its really hot in egypt at the moment, but im hoping it may have cooled down a little bit by the time we arrive.

theres more photos of the 'cairo cammocks' on rosies blog

2007-06-25T15:16:00.000+12:00

dEaN anD CaRLy Are HaVInG a BAby

(I have added these pictures of cute little Robbie and Lydia because I hope that my children will be as cute and lovely as them. Robbie will love his little cousins i'm sure)

So Dean and I are having a baby, I am really not sure when its due and I think I am anywhere between 10 - 12 weeks, I am yet to find a midwife and apparently they go pretty quickly but Im sure everything will work itself out...hopefully.

BAmBo FoREst

I really love living in Hamilton, but the sad truth is that there arn't that many attractions in Hamilton itself, there are plenty of exciting things close by, ie 40 mins drive away, such as beaches, hot pools, Auckland and Rotorua, but in town itself they are very few. This was discovered when we had a visitor from Christchurch (Kate Scott) and the only place close by we could think to take her, was the 'Aboretum' where we took these photos by the bambo forest.

Unfortunately when we arrived it was getting dark already, but we still had a good time and we saw some chickens in the trees, and we were all good company so it turned out to be quite the exciting night after all. When we got home we all watched a movie at my place, 'Shark vs. Eagle' which was very funny and a sweet story.

The weeks happenings

2007-06-23T21:14:00.000+12:00

Evie the wicked witch, office and BBQ

Tonight Dean and I, despite the weather, decided to go out to see evie and chucks church production at their school. The production was an adaptation of 'snow white', evie was playing the 'wicked witch' and did a really good job, she said that she honed her skills as rosies unofficial understudy at home. Overall it was an enjoyable evening, chucky got to play a dancing extra, and also did a very good job.

Chenise and laurel, left and right, were part of evies entourage. i should also say that the girls were all helped out by their young womens leader none other than crystal who also played a crucial part on stage as a prop. She played a door and a tree very well, and im guessing she helped put everything together.

Below is a pick with evie and some of her other pals who were all in the production, i tried to get some on stage pictures as well, put sadly my camera wasnt up to the task, as i was sitting towards the back of the auditorium.

Ok and i have also just spent another week in auckland at the education recruitment centre, where basically my job was to interview early childhood teaching candidates and then palce them in centres as relievers, amongst other things. I sit at the desk in front right next to belinda which was good because i could discretely ask her questions when i needed to and the rest of the office thought that i was just really on to it.

This week i was on my own as dean had things on back in hamilton, but i quite enjoyed spending some time on my own and i was right near the city so there was lots going on etc...and then a few nights jo and belinda came over to hang out and eat at some of the yummy restaurants near my place.

hmm... and here randomly we have a picture of me manning the BBQ for dads soccor team, who actually won that day 5-4, the girls could do a lot better if they increased their fitness a bit, and didnt stay out all night on a friday.

Architect?

2007-06-16T00:08:00.000+12:00

Considerate Architect

click on the colours to learn more

So does this mean i should become and architech? Im not really sure, i guess i do like to make lots of drafts and drawings for my ideal home.

Also apparently im a good listener and people like to tell me their problems, so if any one wants my advice with any problems or issues they may be facing feel free to ask.

A week at the office

2007-06-15T23:24:00.000+12:00

This past week i have been working in Auckland, luckily the girl im covering for allowed me to stay in her house while she is away, she only lives about 20mins by bike away from the office, so lucky for me i can ride because the traffics pretty shocking and even catching the bus i would probably have to leave 30 mins earlier than biking to arrive on time.

Since Dean has exams at the moment he came and stayed with me for a few days, he rode into town during the day and we would bike home together, on our matching mountain bikes that we recently purchased on the old ticker, at the end of the day.

I will be back at the office this coming week as well, so i will try and get some more interesting pictures say, of belinda at her desk, or of the very dark stairwell i found myself stuck in inadvertantly after going to the bathroom, the same thing happened to another girl in the office and she had a panick attack, it was honestly quite tricky to get out off, it wasnt your basic up and down stairwell.

A Busy Week Ahead

2007-06-09T21:37:00.000+12:00

Tonight Dean is working so im home on my own, i like to take these opportunities to sit at home and watch scary movies by myself, I find that this creates a suitable atmosphere in which the movie can be best appreciated, i rented a few movies with such titles as 'slash'. Im trying to take some time out from my 'busy schedule' to relax as next week i will be working up in Auckland again with Belinda. This time Dean is coming as well so it should be really fun, we are going to take our new matching mountain bikes and i am planning to bike to work in the CBD from Mt Eden where we will be staying, then Deans going to bike in and meet me after work.

Recently while Lucy was visiting we were all talking about being crafty, and different crafts we could do, i like to think of myself as a crafty person who's talent is limited by money. If i had more disposable cash i could buy paints and materials and all sorts of things that would help nurture my creative ability, but since i dont, i have to limit myself to making mosaics out of broken kitchen plates and the like.

The Heart above is made out of broken plates i originally made it for mums birthday which is soon, but maybe i will make her something else. Anyway i have been thinking of conducting my own poll on whether or not David Bain is guilty, i have always been of the opinion that he wasn't, but what does everyone else think?

Princess Bathe

2007-06-03T23:24:00.000+12:00

On our most recent trip to Christchurch Dean and I went on an overnight trip to the lake Tennyson area and climbed up to the princess Bathe, a family favourite trip. Well not really a favourite as something disastrous has tended to happen on each visit, ie lack of matches in the middle of winter, having to eat cold uncooked porridge, and then the time Sam fell off a small cliff face. This trip was no exception to the bad luck rule as it turns out we forgot to check the tent and it had no fly in it. Luckily it didnt rain that night.

Here we have Dean attempting to erect a bivvy out of what we did have of the tent, I refused to sleep in it, and eventually at two in the morning we erected the tent without the fly. The cows were very curious and getting a bit close for comfort.

The Hike from the bottom of the road where we parked the car to the top of the Mountain takes about 3-4 hours, though what we usually do is hike from the car park to the bottom of the moutain, about 1.5 hrs, then the next day we climb the mountain which takes about 2hours max.

Its hard to get the real perspective of the landscape from these photos, but i would just like to let you all know that its a very steep climb.

2007-05-28T19:06:00.000+12:00

WHAt yOu DidNt KNOw AboUT DeAN

I thought that i would follow jonelles lead and tell everyone 5 things about Dean.

1. As a child dean was caught doing a poo in public, by a family taking an afternoon stroll in the Whangarei city gardens.

2. Dean use to think that sanitary pads were disposable shoulder pads for womens dresses. One day he asked his mother why she needed disposable shoulder pads, and was suprised to learn they had quite a different purpose.

3. On a recent trip to the dentist he discovered that you are meant to brush the backs of your teeth as well as the front.

4. Dean volunteered to be a study model for an acupuncturist, but was unaware of what it would involve, which was nakedness and finger probing in 'uncomfortable' places.

5. Dean loves warcraft and still has all night computer gaming parties. (most people know this but everytime i asked him for something thats all he could manage to say... as he was a bit distracted by that very game).

Five New Things

2007-05-19T17:01:00.000+12:00

We went paintballing this weekend

So anyway on 5 things people, inparticular melskea, may not Know about me.

1) I really enjoy listening to Kenny Rogers 'the gambler' particularly the line where he sings 'and the night got deathly quiet' dean and i can sit and listen to that over and over and laugh and laugh, its that way he sings 'deathly quiet' we try to imitate it but cant quite get it right.

2) I cant stand flys in the car, i will try and swat them while driving, this is not a good thing to do as it causes you to swerve all over the road.

3) Once i was riding my bicycle, and i thought that i had a bee in my hair, it sounded like it was trapped right by my ear, so I started to swat myself in the head with my hands, off course doing this meant that i had to let go of the handle bars and i ended up falling off my bike in the gutter, the friend i was with was in hysterics, especially as i continued to swat around at my head whilst on the ground...soon it seemed strange that this bee just wasnt leaving me alone...and then i realised it wasnt a bee at all but someones garden sprinkler, it was a very loud sprinkler...the story dosnt end there later that night i was in intense pain, dad took me to the A&E and it turns out i had broken my arm.

That just reminded me of the time pita tripped on some fence wire in the dark and broke both of his arms landing on the concrete path outside the sleepout, he had one in a sling and one in a cast, for those of you who remember this time its just one of those happy memories you shouldnt forget.

4) OK, im struggling to think of things...I've been skinny dipping a few times, once here in Hams at Raglan beach, there was quite a group of us, it was night time but there was a full moon. Once in Queenstown, Angel and i were going for a walk and it was a beautifull warm night, we wanted to go for a swim but didnt want to walk home all wet...and thats all so i guess only twice.

5) As a child my dream was to become a farmer, now as an adult i realise i dont know the first thing about farming, so i keep myself content with my chiken and growing vegetables. Also last year i had my pet lamb (little stevie in honour of steve Irwin) slaughtered for deans birthday dinner, so i like to think that id have what it takes to be a farmer if i wanted, the mentality of being able to kill animals. Though now the little girl next door, screams out murdereer whenever she sees me, and begs me not to murder my chicken as well. chook does need to stop going in the neighbours house and pooing on there carpet. Things went a bit sour with the neighbours on the other side after stevie devoured their vege garden before christmas.

So next i want to hear 5 new things about some other people, you can choose who you are just let me know.

2007-05-16T09:27:00.000+12:00

T O N G A

Well we are not exactly sure what it was that attracted us to Tonga, we had a couple of other options but something about Tonga just appealed to us. For me i think it was the many comments that i heard along the lines of 'never go to Tonga', (i guess there's just something about others discomfort that appeals to me). I can see why perhaps someone who had only ever stayed on the main island might say this, but as for dean and i we travelled north to the Haapai group of islands where it truly was a tropical paradise. However i still enjoyed my 2 days in nukualofa where id heard the many stories of wild scavenging dogs that travel in packs and attack unwary tourists by night. The thing is i hardly saw any dogs, but there were pigs of all size and description everywhere, this was a pleasant surprise and made me very happy as i love pigs.

This is a picture we took flying north, when i saw it i got excited because a tiny tropical island in the middle of the ocean fitted in perfectly with how i had imagined things to be and i just new from then on that we were going to have a great holiday. As we got closer to our group of islands we could see reefs stretching out for miles and were eager to go snorkeling and see the hundreds of little fishies and enjoy the water that was an average of 26 degrees, (as quoted in lonely planet).

This photo was taken at sunrise on the one day we managed to get up early enough to see it, its taken looking back towards our resort which is just out of the picture. This beach was perfect for snorkeling, it was very shallow and the reef seemed to us to be very diverse, this same day we kayaked out to some of the other islands close by, the water was beautiful and clear and we could see right to the bottom of the ocean wherever we went, there were fish and coral the whole way, dean said it was more beautiful than Hawaii and i believe him.

So the island where we stayed was amazing, I'm glad we spent the extra money to fly there and the accommodation was great. I was even more pleased we went there when we arrived and found out a few more facts about the place. Just off the reef where we were staying was the Tongan trench, the second deepest volume of water in the world, I could hear the waves breaking on it in the night and had a dream that i floated over the reef and was drowned in the waves. And then 40 nautical miles away was Tofua island home to a live volcano and also where 'mutiny on the bounty took place,' we wanted to go out there but 40 nautical miles is actually quite a way and we would have needed to charter a boat. The other thing I noticed were the people, who did not seem to be very industrious and basically rely on subsistence farming to get by, all these things interest me being a Hist. Geo. Pacific Development graduate. Anyway enough rambling from me, here's a few more photos to give you a better picture of what its like.

2007-05-15T11:03:00.000+12:00

On the main island we rented a car and visited some of the historical sites, the roads were pretty rough and the map rather inadequate, but we made our way to Abel Tasmans landing site and the blow hole coast. Other places of note were the terraced grave sites, Captain Cooks landing, the Tongan stonehenge and the ship wreck harbour.

Back on the island where we spent most our time we went on a bike ride around both the islands, which were connected by a rough causeway, this took us 3 hrs return, though this was a rather leisurely ride as there was plenty to stop and look at.

Pigs, coconut farms, and sandcastles, plenty to see and do, but really what else do you go to the islands for but to swim and sun bathe. Though actually i should mention that we did a beginners scuba dive which was only down to 6 meters, but hay at least weve tried it now, and angel if your reading this, on my next dive i can go down to 12 meters so maby you and i can do the red sea together.

I should probably mention that unless you want to see something you may not want to, you shouldn't look to closely at one of these pictures

Day to Day and Upcoming Events

2007-04-29T22:57:00.000+12:00

Well there are a few notable events coming up, the foremost on my mind at the mo is the 'Guns and Roses' concert, its going to be awesome, tickets go on sale tomorrow, and i will be first in line thats for sure, I dont at all listen to them anymore but i am a fan from way back, so i will definitely be going, i hope that axl is wearing his bike shorts. Ha Ha. Next thing of note, dean and I are heading to Tonga next week, for an end of summer vacation, we have heard mixed things about it, but were pretty laid back so im sure we will enjoy it, we are planning on taking some canned food, just in case, i mean there were those riots and all a while back.

Rose and I have finally booked our tickets to Egypt and are heading off in august, i cant wait to see little robbie again, i hope that he hasnt grown too much. On our to do list is jordan and Israel, as well as mount sinai. I have always wanted to go to mecca but i think i will have to wait until pitas in Saudi before i can follow up on that dream.

ANZAC Day

2007-04-25T12:08:00.000+12:00

Well given that its ANZAC Day, I thought that Id add something from Grandad Syds War Journal which I have slowly been deciphering its quite interesting, lots of time spent in egypt swimming listening to the radio and reading before they were shipped out to Italy. Since were going to egypt soon im quite keen to see some of the places that he writes about. Well the Journal entry ive included is from 25 April 1943.

Tuesday 25 April 1943

"Had a latt and cleaned up gear messed around all morning. Went for a stroll then to dentists to get things polished, went for stroll then listened to radio till 8.30. Bed about 9. Lovely day bit sunburnt."

So its not the most exciting entry in the journal but it gives a good idea about how the average day was.

My Vegetable Garden

2007-04-24T12:31:00.000+12:00

Unfortunately with winter coming on, I have caught my garden it the end of its long summer life but you still get a good idea of how it went. The Tomatoes are delicious I will be sad when they are all gone for the year, it means I will have to buy them from the supermarket. I will make a paste with the chillies so that should last me to the end of the year when I can grow some more, and looks like we will be having alot of pumpkin soup. I also have onions, silverbeet and plenty of herbs, as well as some kumara and potatoes.

Chook

2007-04-23T12:43:00.000+12:00

Heres my pet chook, she is such a darling, we will need to get her some chookie friends soon because her identities getting all screwed up and shes starting to think shes a cat, she is always trying to hang out inside and has started eating the cats food and even comes through the cat door

A Comet in the Sky

2007-04-16T00:21:00.000+12:00

The comet was visible for a whole week in the evenings back in February

The Bridge to Nowehere Scouting Trip

2007-04-08T10:42:00.000+12:00

Over the Easter weekend Dad, Kashka, Chuck and I, went on a little trip to Ruatiti, to check out the bridge to nowhere access track.

Of the 30 kms of track we managed to get 12kms in the mini truck which would leave 18kms to walk next time we come back, we will also need to bring a few other things on our return visit like a truck with balloon tyres.

In all we had a really fun time, Ruatiti has a free camping reserve, it was a really nice spot to spend the night

Kelly Tarlton's - Auckland Trip 07

2007-02-16T18:35:00.000+13:00

We decided to spend the day in Auckland we started off with a picnic at a scenic spot overlooking the harbour then dean surprised me with a trip to Kelly Tarltons. Neither of us had been there before so we both had a good time looking at all the fishies

Some of the stinrays were pretty big as you can see, and dean made friends with one of the fish.

The Penguins and blowfish were just so cute.

After Kelly Tarltons Dean had an even better surprise for me, a trip to the circus to see Varekai, no cameras were allowed so i couldnt get any photos.

Recent Deaths

2007-01-17T09:14:00.000+13:00

HoNE TuwhaRE and sIr Ed

(Hone Tuwhare died age 86)

Well I know that it has been a while since I have updated and mostly it's because nothing much of interest has been happening, though we did spend a week down in Christchurch where we went on an overnight Tramp that seemed more like an overnight expedition, it was made all the worse by the fact that I had just purchased new boots, which gave me some wicked blisters so on the second day I spent 8 hrs hobbling rather than walking...overall it was a good trip, like most things in retrospect.

(Sir Edmund Hillary)

Anyway today I thought that I would do a bit of a homage to two New Zealand icons who have died lately (both in the past week) as I am at work and have no other photos to upload other that those i can find on the net.

Quote From Sir Ed

"We didn't know if it was humanly possible to reach the top of Mt. Everest. And even using oxygen as we were, if we did get to the top, we weren't at all sure whether we wouldn't drop dead or something of that nature."

Hone Tuwhare - Rain

Rain

I can hear you

making small holes

in the silence

rain

If I were deaf

the pores of my skin

would open to you

and shut

And I

should know you

by the lick of you

if I were blind

the something

special smell of you

when the sun cakes

the ground

the steady

drum-roll sound

you make

when the wind drops

But if I

should not hear

smell or feel or see

you

you would still

define me

disperse me

wash over me

rain

Hone Tuwhare

While I love this poem my favourite has to be 'Roads' but unfortunately I can't find the words for it on the net at the moment...I will keep looking and see if I can't find it. Also good news for me we get time off to go to Sir Ed's public funeral next Tuesday, so I can't complain about that, here in Hamilton they are having a big screen down in Garden place so I hope it's a nice day

Guy Fawkes

2006-12-06T19:34:00.000+13:00

Guy Fawkes is no fun without a dummy to burn, and burn he did.

Birthday Bash

2006-10-28T19:48:00.000+13:00

That time of the year again, Rose made me a yummy cake and i celebrated with the family and a couple of friends. Dean bought me some nice jewellery.

The Philippines Trip # 2

2005-10-16T20:25:00.000+13:00

Well on this trip we spent most of our time in the city shopping, though we still made time to visit the citiy sites, like old Intramourous, cathedrals and gardens. As well as a visit to some of Manilas poorest slums, as seen above, this ones called smokey mountain as its right by the cities rubbish dumb.

Here we are at the main park in Manila, and on the old city walls

After Rosie left, I spent alot of time in Pitas apartment and visiting him at work in the office.

Manila was settled by the spanish and we could see their influence in the old city.

Mum and Dad visit Taiwan

2005-09-01T09:11:00.000+12:00

Toroko Gorge was pretty impressive, but the mess mum and dad made when they arrived wasnt.

Bamboo Forests and a mandatory stop at sun moon lake, made for a nice afternoon

Giant statues of Buddha and some other God, i dont mean to be ignorant i just cant remember who it was.

The highlight of the trip for dad was typhoon talim, but we didnt let it interfere with our shopping

Beautiful Sun Moon Lake.

The Best Summer Ever - Kenting Taiwan

2005-08-29T00:43:00.000+12:00

The canal Early in the Morning, we eventually had to leave as rose was waiting back at the hotel

Rose and I at the night markets. That day i spent a little to long in the sun, you can tell by my whiteness that i wasnt use to it.

Dean, Rose and I had the best summer ever in Taiwan, we hired scooters, hung out on the Beach, checked out the local market. It was a bit of a mission finding accomodation, but eventually someone rented us a room in their house.

First chance we get we will all be back in Taiwan for another summer holiday.

The water was so warm, much different from the cool water im use to in good old N.Z. The Banana boat, i dont know how dean and rose convinced me to go out on this thing, but in the end it was a lot of fun.

You never know what to expect when the cameras on self timer.

We took ourselves on a little adventure around the coastline and managed to make it to the southern most tip of Taiwan, it was very beautiful.

Family and Friends

2005-01-15T22:32:00.000+13:00

The extended family on a Hamilton trip.

Rose and i in the Christchurch gardens.

Heres a photo of the whole whanau, pita, tasi and little robbie are in egypt now, so who nows when we will be able to get a shot of us all together again. (I wish mum had removed her apron).