It's catch up time

Leaving the Lyttleton area we headed to Tai Tapu where we stayed at a POP, Westoby Farm, where we were met by welcoming hosts and their ostriches. One of them managed to crack their egg so we were given a goodly portion of it beaten and ready to use. Ostrich eggs are massive. From the portion, about a quarter, I baked a banana cake, made toasties and pikelets and disposed of the rest!
The following day we headed to Leeston where we finally caught up with Catherine and Stan and discovered their park like garden. WOW! A lifetime of work and passion to produce this gorgeous oasis. Fabulous. We had a night at the Ellesmere Golf Course which I walked around. It's a really lovely spot and they're very grateful to have we NZMCA members there. Apparently they've had no break ins etc since they established this POP.
We moved on to Rangiora where we heard all about Christine's Scottish adventures and did loads of domestic chores..... it was past time for the MH to got a good clean out.
It was wonderful to visit Harper at Waitaki Boys and to see him very happy and settled. He loves it there which warmed our hearts.
We were very excited to head to Cromwell, for a couple of nights, to get our hands on our kids and theirs. Our hearts were definitely telling us it was time for some cuddles.
The NZMCA Bottom of the South Rally, at Mossburn, was a wonderful weekend of colour, fun, music and dancing. We were exhausted after three consecutive late nights! The challenge of the devastating storm in Southland saw the local community rally around us and a huge generator was supplied to ensure adequate power and water to the community center, where we were based. It's going to take a years for the province to recover. Our hearts go out to all the families, farmers, businesses etc that have been devastated. Our great niece and her family were without any services, power, water, phone for 5 and half days and they all had a gastro bug!
We are now back in Cromwell after being at Richard and Jo's, Riversdale, where we were surprised to see the Cross family and Heidi and Stella. Lovely!
We've been to been to senior prize givings...... we're proud grandparents! It's been a big year. Josh is off to uni, Sam has begun a Joinery apprenticeship, Harper has opted for boarding school and Tully has had his second year at Dunstan. Miss Liv is growing really quickly , tall and 14 already.
Throughout this time we have continued to walk. Beaches, golf courses, race courses, new towns like the lovely Tai Tapu, are all contenders for us. We managed to get up the Bannockburn Sluicings a couple of days ago. The first hill in a while..... it doesn't take very long......AT ALL... to lose your hill fitness! Puff puff puff!
It is our intention to be in and around Southland and Otago for the next five months. We are on a small committee which is organizing a massive NZMCA event at the end of March. There's lots to do! So this, along with lots of planned social events, will keep us busy. We'll mix this time up with exploring the region and catching up with friends and family. We're looking forward to it all.Read more