We've been in the bus for a year!

Well, here we are on the last day of the year parked up just south of Oamaru listening to the waves crash on the beach out one side and the chatter of birds on the lagoon out the other.  It has been a year now since we have been living on the bus!! On the one hand I can hardly believe that we have been on the bus that long then I think 'how did we ever fill a big house with so much stuff?'.

This month not only saw our anniversary of bus-living but has seen us get back onto the road after a good 9 months parked up in Kaikōura.  It is proving to be a time of re-adjusting as we find our new norm again while combining travel, sight-seeing, learning and everyday chores.  It is a work in progress ;)

Before we hit the road though we made the most of our last month in Kaikōura so here are a few photos of the highlights over the last month, in no particular order.

Christmas at Nan's

A few repairs on the go before we left Kaikōura

Tramping up Mt Fyffe

Cards in Mt Fyffe Hut

Mucking around up the Mt

Keeping cool on the farm

Checking out the replica Moa egg at Mt Fyffe House

Leaving Sequoia Farm

Getting ready for Christmas ... I think the facial expressions say it all

Travelling isn't always sunshine and roses ... us at Aoraki

The bus at Aoraki

Feeding the sheep at Totara Estate near Oamaru

Exploring All Days Bay near Oamaru

Sandcastle fun

Braving the wind and rain to spot penguins and seals

Our plan is to head up to the North Island in Feb and spend the rest of the year there checking out everything we can and catching up with everyone we can. Look out for the big green bus coming to a town near you!! ;)

Arohanui
Y

A busy November

Aside from when we were travelling at the beginning of the year this past month has been our busiest so far for getting out and about.  

Each week we were parked up in Kaikōura busy with our activities (me teaching Infant Massage and workshops, Jasmine with Guides, Daniel with Judo and both kids with Golf lessons) and then each Thursday night we would venture off for our great escape. It was wonderful having a chance to get out and about so easily each weekend and just as great being part of the local community each week.

On the 'Our Amazing Place' treasure hunt in Kaikōura

For ease of writing and getting this to you before the Dec update is due I think I'll just give a short re-cap and a load of photos ;)

Our first weekend away was up to the Nelson Cider Festival to catch up with friends.  It was such a full weekend visiting two different lots of friends that the 3 days away ended up feeling like a week away.  The kids loved exploring Founders Park while we enjoyed sampling lots of yummy cider.

Enjoying the Cider Festival with friends

Our second weekend away was down to the Hororata Highland Games.  This was a definite highlight and something I would fully recommend if you get the chance.  It was such a great family day with lots of free activities for themselves, things to see and try including some drams of whisky.

Free T-shirt the kids got 

Having a go at the caber toss

The third weekend away was over Canterbury Anniversary weekend as Jasmine had a guide camp to attend.  It was very a different experience having only one child on-board for 2 days I can tell you!!  While Jasmine camped up in the hills with her guiding friends, we climbed up and over the bridle path with Daniel (at his request) and enjoyed catching up with friends.

Jasmine on camp

Daniel on the Bridle path

Our final weekend of November did see us stay in Kaikōura so that we could enjoy one of their mobile Movie nights and also 'Our Amazing Place' Treasure hunt.  It was fantastic walking around town with the kids doing activities at different 'stations' and finding out more of what Kaikōura has to offer.  It was yet another great weekend for us all.

Making a trailer cover in the Community Shed

Sadly though, after all the highs of the month, we finished the month on a down.  After 3 years of living with us and almost a year of travelling on the bus Jasmine's Moonlight Mouse passed away on 30th November.

Themselves with Moonlight on Moonlight's birthday

Thankfully herself got to say goodbye before Moonlight died and we spent the rest of the day just being.  It was heart-breaking watching her grieve her loved pet that she had for almost a third of her life and yet amazing watching how she was able to express herself and the pain she was feeling.

Arohanui
Y