It is amazing just how many photos you can take in a day when you're out sight-seeing and July has certainly seen us out and about alot. From the beginning of the month in Auckland we travelled to the far North and are currently in Kaitaia.
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| Maitai Bay, Karikari Peninsula |
Coming into Auckland made us appreciate just how much we are NOT big city folk!! I think if it wasn't for wanting to catch up with friends and family we would have cruised straight through the big smoke. However we managed to find a great spot to park up with a water view and a bit of nature for the kids to play in which made the whole thing a lot more manageable. It was wonderful to see everyone (if only briefly) and connect for a bit with some who I hadn't seen since Jasmine was a baby. Themselves also enjoyed playing with their cousins and fellow bus friends.
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| Checking out the Auckland west coast beaches |
Auckland also saw us have an extra occupant join us on the bus ... intentionally that is ;) Daniel got his first pet just from himself. After much research, thought and a lot of humming and harring he decided on a wee male mouse who he's called Nibbly. After a bit of a transaction with his sister over buying all Moonlight's bits Nibbly is now happily part of the family. It is nice to have the cage filled again and Jasmine seems pleased to have another wee mouse to snuggle and watch.
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| Nibbly Mouse |
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| Themselves enjoying the beach at Orewa |
Leaving Auckland we spent a a great couple of days parked beach side which meant the kids had just that much more freedom to explore and enjoy nature. They both found another huge stash of kauri gum on the beach near Liam's brother which they both turned into some amazing jewellery. It is great watching how their skills in different things build and develop as we travel along. As we continued further north to see more friends and family themselves enjoyed a bit of swimming where ever they could, they assured me the water was warm but I wasn't convinced enough to try. ;) While locals were snuggled up in jeans and jackets we were enjoying just how much warmer the days were as we ventured further north. It is hard to believe that in July we could be in shorts and t-shirts!!
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| Testing out a possible addition to the bus at Warkworth museum |
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| Swimming in the far north ... Pataua North |
After watching the NZ wars DVD's it was fascinating to be able to visit the actual sites that we had heard about; Ruapekapeka, Ohaeawai, Russell and Waitangi. To hear about some of the people involved in that part of NZ history and how much life changed for the far North once the capital was moved to Auckland in 1865 was are great experience. Being part of Heritage NZ meant that we were able to go to many of the these sites for free and receive a tour which allowed us to piece together a cleared picture of how things were. It is amazing how relationships changed and history was made so fast in this part of the world.
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| On the way to Russell |
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| The Stone Store in Kerikeri |
Only another week and we'll be up in Pukenui for Aug and Sep where we will be doing a few days work each week in exchange for our stay. Themselves are very excited about the few farm animals they have there, the fact that Jasmine can go to guides and also that they will be close enough and warm enough to hit the waves! Until then I hope this finds you all warm and healthy.
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| Tea with a view ... Mangonui |
Arohanui
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