While we've been visiting this sweet corner of New Zealand we've been lucky enough to be here while the locale Harvest festival takes place at their wonderful community gardens. What a beautiful day it was - perfect weather and a great turnout of people gathered to celebrate the changing of the season. After just being here in Takaka for just a week now we were surprised at how many people we know there ! There was great music and poetry,  a kids corner of face [...]

We all had  a bit of fun at Steve's making a big batch of Cornish pasties which was planed, so we found ourselves some good organic beef and a few other bits we needed to get on with it. The girls were both keen to help, so it was all hands on deck to make a Cornish pasty feast for dinner. Even Isla was quite happy helping as most of the ingredients are raw and uneatable, so she was quite safe and well entertained and [...]

From Ruby Bay we headed over another really windey mountain ridge to Takaka where we've been really looking forward to landing. It's a wonderful climate and very lush and green for gowning with beautiful community's and villages dotted along the coastline. We've visited here many years ago but not had the time to stay long so look forward to some more exploring. We stayed at a camp near the marina which is a classic NZMCA spot and works well when there's no option to freedom [...]

From Merchison to Ruby bay which is right up in the far north of the south Island in the Tasman region. So after leaving the highland mountain ridges behind us we now have summertime again which is a bit of a treat. We Parked up at a beautiful beachside camp with simple facilities for those who need them. We've had fun beach coming and searching for creatures and there's also a kids play park for the girls to hang with other kids, so Paul and [...]

We left Christchurch and headed across the flat plains of Canterbury and up to Hanmer where we enjoyed another day soaking in the natural hot pools, which was much needed after quite a bit of driving time and changeable weather so needless to say we needed a good bit of exercise and good soak. We hooked up with a friend for dinner at the camp site where Isla enjoyed a quick dip in the river, she enjoys getting in the water at every opertunity. After [...]

We took our little bus through the tunnel and around to Taylors which is a beautiful beach that we hold dear way north of the city. We visited friends for a few days and enjoyed time together and walking the coastal tracks.

On arriving to Christchurch we first visited Lyttleton harbor which is where it all first began for us here in New Zealand 17 ish years ago.  We were invited on holiday to meet some friends aboard their motor yacht when during this time we pulled into Lyttleton, and felt right at home, and then a little later decided to stay in NZ more permanently. So we always enjoy popping in to tap into the Lyttleton vibe to reminisce. The town is as bustling as ever [...]

Now home schoolings not for everyone - in actual fact it can only be done if it works well for the both parties - the student and - the teacher - and combined to be able to work together. Our girls understand the benefits of home schooling - especially Lola whos that bit older and has experienced both school and homeschooling back and forth several times now. She sees that when we're homeschooling we have more time together as a family and more time to [...]