We had a lovely, quiet Christmas at home this year. Just the 4 of us plus the dog eating yummy cake, pavlova and roast. The weather cleared enough for a bit of bike ride, that is until the kids collided and the littlest got a handle bar in the face! Good to get out even if it meant a few tears though and they breed them tough here so by the time we ventured home it was all good ;)
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| Themselves having a Christmas bike ride. |
The following day (Boxing Day) we got up bright and early to drive North to begin our first tramp with the kids. For some reason I thought I had read that the hike into the hut at Lake Daniells was only 1.5 hours .........ummm WRONG! When we arrived we were greeted by a few bites by the local wildlife (sand-flies) and a sign saying that the hut was 8.4 km away or 3 hours walking - whooopppps ;) The kids did a magnificent job of the walk, carrying in their little backpacks, listening to Himself's stories, watching robins following us and checking out all the traps for rats or stoats. By stopping every 40 mins or so for a wee break to rest weary feet we steadily made our way towards the hut, enjoying the sunshine and nature along the way.
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| Us at the hut at Lake Daniells. |
After 3 hours (very accurate sign there I'd say) we arrived at the Lake and our tired duo suddenly found all the energy that seemed to be waning a mere 30 mins earlier ;) Think it may have had something to do with a delayed boost from scroggin goodies and so they ran around till their hearts were content, splashing in the Lake, climbing trees and investigating wherever they could. We were lucky to have a bunkroom all to ourselves, which is apparently rare on this popular walk, which meant it felt more like a holiday cabin than a DOC hut. We stayed only the one night which was enough for us to know that we will be planning our next trip into a hut soon ;)
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| Hmmmm??!!....... Someone pushing their sister into the Lake! |
Since the New Year we have been staying close to home. Liam has be painting when he isn't at work, I've been improving my knitting skills and working on the biz and the kids have been at swimming lessons. It is amazing that within 30 mins with the local swim instructor their skills have improved more than a year of mucking around with me!! It is great to see how confident they are becoming in the water and how proud the both are of themselves. It also shows me that sometimes I just need to get someone else to teach them things ;)
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| The first swimming lesson for himself. |
Arohanui
Y
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