Back in the North Island

Here we are .... back where we started our adventure over a year ago, back on the Kāpiti Coast, catching up with friends and family along with a bit of work. The weather has been a bit up and down with two cyclones passing through though that hasn't stopped us yet.  That is the great thing about life on a bus, we can always move on from the bad weather. ;)

At Glenfalls Road Schooling Camp

 This has been the month of camps for us, we headed to the Unschooling Retreat camp in Foxton beach at the start of the month and then to a Road-schooling camp in Hawke's Bay later in the month. Along with all that catching up it has been lovely to meet a few new friends enjoying a similar lifestyle to ours.   The kids had a whale of a time at both playing with all the other kids there.  This weekend is the first in which we are not busy and it has been nice to catch up on all those little jobs around the bus.

Can you pick our bus?  There were a few ;)

Themselves earned a bit of cash by selling their old books, popcorn and clothes

The Road schooling camp would have to be a highlight for me.  The children quickly got in together and played, explored, created, swam, gathered blackberries and generally had a ball of a time from dawn till dusk.  All that play enabled us adults to actually relax and catch up with others who were on the road, sharing our experiences, what worked, what didn't and most importantly how to remedy those things that didn't work!  We also had a great opportunity to go up to a local farm and learn about how he was raising his herd and best of all have a go at hand milking.  Himself declined due to his vegan principles however herself was in there and actually very good at it!  She enjoyed it so much that we ventured up the next morning for her to have a second go.

Milking Saffe up on a local farm near Glenfalls camp.

The Lego tent on Roadschooling camp was a big hit .... Daniel's stash and our tent put to good use.

The kids have been enjoying heading back to their Cub and Guide groups while we are here in Kāpiti so that they can tick off a few more badges.  It is great seeing how well they slot back into these groups after 6 months away and wonderful how welcoming the leaders and other members are.  All their adventures with us and on camp has made a few of their clauses easy to tick off thankfully.  They are both determined to get all their badges before the move up to Scouts and Rangers next year.

Trying paddle boarding in Foxton

Themselves were pretty impressive navigating the boards

We also managed to head into Wellington for the Lego exhibition at Te Papa which had themselves riveted for hours.  They both created really cool pyramids as you can see below.  Before we left we had a look at the Gallipoli display which is absolutely amazing and well worth a visit.  Themselves went about 6 months ago with Liam however it was my first time and it definitely left a strong impression.  It was hard to tear them away from Te Papa, despite hunger gnawing away at us, as they love that space so much ;)

  

We will be here in Kāpiti for the next few weeks though the time goes so quickly when you're having fun! Hopefully we'll get in a few walks on the local tracks along with a bit more fun with friends .... until next month I hope this finds you happy, healthy and enjoying the life you have.

Arohanui
Y

A long hot January

As I'm sitting here in the shade of a tree, thankfully, writing this blog I'm amazed at how fast this month has gone .... and how hot it has been.  Only the last week or so to be truthful have been that hot for us as we have baked in our little tin can. ;)  Nothing that river swims, cool drinks and the shade of a tree hasn't sorted though.

At Shag Point ... can't get much closer to the sea I think1

We began the New Year in All Day's bay, just south of Oamaru, which is a great spot right on the beach.  Themselves loved being out on the beach all day although it was in jackets, gumboots and hats due to a freezing wind blowing the entire time!  After this we took some time to see a few sights that we missed last time down there like actually going inside Larnach's Castle, Totara Estate, Hayes Engineering and St Bathan's.  It was a lot of going back in time and seeing how life used to be for some inspiring and enterprising early settlers.

Our set up to beat the heat in Oturehua - Hayes Engineering 

Enjoying a cool drink in St Bathan's

Then it was back to Mum's in Canterbury so that we could get a new radiator (we had to be filling and emptying bottles left right and centre on our little trip south) and a COF.  It was also a chance to head into National Archives to do a bit more family research and then out to Staveley to see the photos they had out there of  Mum's family. It was great being able to go out there with Mum and to see where Michael Fagan lived. As more comes online the dots are beginning to be joined and it makes me realise I need to re-write the information I have before it gets forgotten .... it is definitely a labour of love and one I really enjoy though ;)

Themselves at Nan's with Midnight the chick

Himself cooking tea - Tince Pie (Tofu minced up)

Cass Station inbetween Porters and Arthurs Pass

Making the most of the local flying fox and swings in Cass

COF in hand we then headed over to the West Coast to catch up with friends and family.  Jasmine had her 11th birthday over there and both kids had a fantastic time catching up with all their home-schooling friends over there.  It is wonderful when you can just meet up with people after ages of little contact and start from where you left off!!  Despite the influx of mossies and sandflies that always appear I do love the Coast and always feel like I've come home in a way. The scenery is some of the best in NZ and the people are a breed unto themselves.  We even got to do some gold panning with a random guy called Possum Pete who got chatting to us!  Not many places that happens anymore that is for sure.

Gold Panning with Possum Pete in Kumara

Herself's birthday picnic

Coming up the coast and into Nelson we have had some great spots to camp up and some awesome rivers for the kids to paddle, swim, explore and play in.  Our favourite though has to be the swimming hole in Murchison where we cooled off before bed on a 33 degreee day.

Coming over the Taramakau Brige - the last rail and road bridge in NZ. The new old is being built now.

View from our door at Tiromoana (just north of Fox River)

Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay

Even as I write this themselves are finding kēwai (fresh water crayfish) in the stream beside us in Wai-iti Domain .... I love watching them explore and discover in this way and so grateful to have our home close by too ;)

Well I'll love you and leave you there until next time.
Arohanui
Y

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

October on the farm

Although we have certainly had our fair share of rain and cloudy day over the past month, today as I sit and write this in the sunshine with the kids playing happily outside it really feels as if Summer is on its way ...... thankfully ;) Themselves have certainly made the most of the sunny days when they arrive that is for sure.

Picnicking on the farm

Building huts from driftwood down at the beach

 

Since Daniel's birthday weekend over to the West Coast was cancelled, on his actual birthday weekend, we decided to head over in the first weekend of October.  Despite the rain coming down on us we had a fabulous time catching up with friends, exploring old haunts and wandering around Shantytown.  After all it just wouldn't be the West Coast if it wasn't raining!  The highlight for us all was having a go at gold-panning and then dressing up for an olden day photo with our friends, something that we won't normally do.  It was a short weekend trip but really great to get back over there .... something about arriving on the Coast makes me feel like I've arrived home.

Dressing up

On the steam train in Shantytown

The school holidays brought with them more excitement for themselves with a few kid's activities around town.  The first was a 'Give it a Go' golf session with the local Golf Pro which they both loved.  They did try a bit of golf when we first came into Kaikōura with this same lady and I could see then that they were hooked.  They even invested in a couple of old golf clubs and balls to whack around on the farm so when the holiday programme came up they were more than keen.  It was a perfect day for it and they both got in a few nice hits - this coming from someone who knows nothing about golf apart from her own inability to connect the iron with that tiny white ball!  They have both signed up for actual lessons which begin next month and are very excited about being able to play on the course after the lesson so watch this space.

Practicing their swings

The second big event for them was a trip to Orana Park in Christchurch with the local Guide group.  It was a full on day as we had to go through the road closure in convoy at 7 am and then return the same way at 6.30 pm.  It was worth it though as the sun was out, the animals were willing (the 4 legged kind that is) and all the kids had an amazing time.  It was great learning a bit more about the animals in the park, from the volunteers, too and not feeling that we had to rush through.  There were lots of interesting conversations about the animals being in there vs their natural habitat and the pros and cons about that.

One of the two tigers - both brothers

Even when term time began again the excitement wasn't over.  Over Labour weekend there was a JOTA (Jamboree Over The Airwaves)/JOTI (Jamboree Over The Internet) event down in Christchurch which both were able to attend as a Cub and a Guide.  They were able to sign off on a few more badges as well as trying out Geo-caching and talking to Guides in another country.  Even though I thought we'd just be there for an hour we ended up lasting 4 hours as the activities kept them engaged and we were all enjoying ourselves!  I think the Geo-caching will be something that gets dipped into again as Daniel had already tried it and Jasmine was really enjoying it too, especially now that they know how to programme in the co-ordinates.

Trying out the stilts at JOTA/JOTI

 

Now we are enjoying another long weekend, it is Marlborough Anniversary on Monday, even though we are all getting over a few days of coughing, sneezing and lots of nose-blowing.  After all those activities taking us out of Kaikōura it is great to just chill and blob. ;)

Arohanui
Y