Bumbag Motel

The rain continued into the 2nd, making for a damp and atmospheric start to the year, and a busy wanaka town centre! pretty handy that there is a spa at the oconnell’s, making for a good start to the day!

We kept ourselves entertained though, meeting up with everyone at Barluga in town where there was a giant outside fire and ‘cow’ pizzas could be ordered in!

Rainy rainy entry into 2013 in Wanaka, but this really was not an issue as got to hang out in Cam’s parents’ glorious place in Wanaka! Patto and Kate (on the right) cooked us a delicious mousakka for dinns too to have with cam’s parents and sister, Liv.

Over in Wanaka now to catch up with Cam and his family. Got to meet my friend Amelia’s niece, Mila – such a relaxed baby, she just slept and merrily sat on my lap for about an hour while I caught up with her mama, Laura. 

enjoyed new years eve at Possum’s house, where a main feature was the arm wrestle between Loomes (left) and Possum (right), initiated by Possum and undoubtedly lost by Possum.

Essential catch up times happening at home. Immensely enjoyed seeing this wonderful Lucy lass, who is now a Mrs and a mum!! Great to meet young Finn (below) a very merry man, and have some most essential hugs.

The gorgeous Finn

Being home for the first time in 3 years meant finally getting to nosey around some new homes! Firstly was mum’s where I stayed in Atown, and here we are at the house that my brother Jamie (left) lives and owns with my sister Leigh (second from right).

Got some happy family snaps from our time too, above being the Couper family with 13 year old Millie (the jack russell dog) getting in there too!

Great day playing a spot of tennis at Guthrie’s just out of Atown – was daaaang hot, so headed to lake hayes below for a cool off.

Kate, Sam, Patto and dad at lake hayes, where the clouds were an unwelcome entry.

Woke up in Arrowtown to a wonderful summer’s day! Straight up Tobin’s track with dad which involves  30 minutes walking up a rocky gravel track to get to the lookout over the wakatipu valley. Excellent start to the return home: sun, mountains, lakes, outdoors, family and friends catch ups, greenery and all round joy!!

After 34 hours of flights and transit, we got to Christchurch! Cam’s parents Jenni and Pete picked us up and took us on a tour about some of the devastated sites from the earthquake. The stark emptiness of parts of the centre city and the collapsed cliff faces brought home the seriousness of it all. The drizzly day added to the sombreness as did the bumpy ride along the cracked streets. Cam and I parted ways here for a while, as he he went to Napier for his cousin’s wedding, and Emma – off to Invercargill and Central Otago!

Had flat xmas eve eve dinner before cam and i departed to nz. Above we have wakefield dishing out the goods to invitees marinka and jen. great rounds of feasting and gift giving in northern hemisphere.