As we travel friends and folk recommend certain attractions, or places to visit, and this was a must do on our way north fron New Plymouth. These three sisters stand solid trough all the tides and storms the ocean's through at them. What was once the coast line and now way out into the sea the three sisters stand tall, and can only be accessed 2 hours each side if low tide. We walked along the side of the estuary and out onto the expanse [...]

Well the name of this town if very familiar to us - coming from the south east side of Cornwall, with our nearest city Plymouth. Looking back to the 18th century the ships departed from the Port of Plymouth in the UK carrying many Englishman heading for the high seas, and adventure to New Zealand - arriving here in new Plymouth. So it goes without saying that we felt quite connected to this town. The town itself is spread out along the coast with great [...]

We spent the Easter time with friends at the base of mount Rupehu. We drove up the mount to take in the views and took the odd walk, eat a little too much food as you do with good friends over the Easter time, and just enjoyed our time together. Isla adores there Dog Tui, so as you can see they spent time cuddling and studying together !. Then onto Whanganui where we could park on peace of land close to town - another NZMCA [...]

We had a nice smooth ferry crossing although overcast we enjoyed our trip across to Wellington. We we're a bit bus bound on arrival to Welli, so all the craft gear came out after the morning of school and then we escaped the bus to  the amazing Te Papa museum. Then the next day headed to Ohakune to visit friends.

As you can see from the photos the weather changed rapidly after that lovely sunset !  a few pix of the drive to Picton when it was also wet so didn't take many photos and the Marlborough Sounds also looking a bit damp too - so sorry about that !

CIDER MAKING We had a lot of fun making cider, picking, shredding and pressing apple's - all a learning curve and hope to put it into practice ourselves someday - First we picked a wheelbarrow full of apples, and as you can see in the photo's had fun in the shed shredding them which then needed pressing in a big wooden press - such a great method that's been used for so many generations - so simple. Now there's freshly squeezed apple juice, which you [...]

We visited the Labyrinth Rocks. One of Takaka's best kept secrets , so hidden and peaceful. It's like a giant rock form of the secret garden, and  so grand and magical, especialy when your as small as a child. It's a natural maze through giant limestone and native bush. Shaded and peaceful to venture around even on a hot day. The rocks were originally on the seabed and have been pushed up to be where they are today, so have been eroded by water over [...]

HORSERIDING AND BUSH WALKING While here in Takaka we've met a new friend called Cathleen who has a beautiful horse we were able to ride. I think this was Isla's highlight of our stay. Isla's missed her riding while we've been traveling and with all this Covid stuff she's not been to her RDA for ages, so was soooo excited about meeting Duet and maybe a ride. Cathleen also recommended a bush walk to do into the hill to a stunning waterfall which we enjoyed [...]

ALL ABOUT THE GARDEN We always enjoy our time outside in the open and in touch with nature - some much space and fresh air with lots to learn the girls are always happier outside. The pix show the girls in the garden picking blueberries and apples- obviously well supervised ! . we share our field here with the sheep and pukeko's which is nice - maybe not when the sheep are having a scratch on the bus in the middle of the night ! [...]

PIZZA IN THE MOUNTAINS AND GLASS STUDIO While we've been here we've been welcomed in to the community and met some beautiful people. This blog shows some pix of dinner in the mountains with our new friend Richard who invited us for pizza , and to a glass making studio of soooooo many beautifully handmade beads and buttons.