Friday 22 June 2018

Changing the outlook


So, we have been thinking we needed to trim or remove some of the trees at the front of our section; they were pretty mature and with recent strong winds we got a bit nervous about the possible destruction they could cause if they came down unexpectedly!
Jeff's answer was to remove them all and I didn't want to remove any so a compromise was reached-removal of a couple and a major trim of the rest...perfect!
We got a local tree trimming/removal service in to get the work done and it was incredible to watch them work. Three guys shimmied up trees, had branches falling with precision, and kept the area as clean and tidy as they could whilst doing the job. They cut up bigger branches for firewood for us and mulched the rest. We couldn't fault the job they did and it was all done and dusted within 3-4 hours. And we had HUGE piles of mulch to use in all our other gardens-yay.
It was a little bit sad to see the trees being removed but I told myself it was better than having limbs torn off in a storm or our house being damaged if one fell completely! I took lots of photos to remember what they look like as I really enjoy my "woodland garden" and knew it would be changed completely by this work being done.


Finally, the largest tree was gone...ok, so it's not too bad so far...

"Let's just have a little bit more of a tidy up" says my husband (who wanted them ALL gone!!) ...umm, yeah ok, a LITTLE bit...


Wow, ok...that is a bit more of a 'little tidy up" than I was thinking! But, to be honest, I do have to admit it looks great. It has really opened up our view and let a lot more light in (great in winter). And there will be new growth on one of the trees over the next few years that will fill in the gap a bit. But overall, I am so happy we went ahead and did it after talking about it for so long. Now to start planning all the plants I can put in there in spring!  :) 



Friday 8 June 2018

Waitomo Trail Run 2018

Now, I don't usually do many events more than once; we have such an abundance to choose from that I would much rather try a new event than repeat one I have already experienced. However, I just had to make an exception for this one...the Waitomo Trail Run!

The inaugral event was held in 2016 and Olivia and I completed the 6km run in gorgeous conditions. The course was so enjoyable that when workmates were discussing what walks to do I had no hesitation in recommending this one. And the timing was right; far enough out to train for and close enough not to lose motivation. So we decided to do some 'team-bonding' and entered as a group of three walkers, determined to have a great day out. And we were not disappointed!

The sociable start time of 12:15pm meant we could leave Tokoroa at a reasonable hour of the morning and arrive feeling ready to take on the conditions. Which were not quite so favourable this time-we required waterproof jackets and a wee bit of cold weather gear but this did not dampen our enthusiasm and off we set in the bus to the start of the walk-the Ruakuri Cave. 

What a great start to an event. Instead of a mass start where people are jostling for position and the 'hares' are racing off leaving the 'tortoises' behind, this time we were sent spiraling down a staircase inside a cave to the bottom where our photo was taken before walking back up the spiraling staircase to exit the cave and start our run/walk. This had the advantage of spreading people out and there was just a calm, orderly start to the event instead of the mad panic which usually ensues.



Once we left the cave we followed the path through some gorgeous bush, beside a stream and several waterfalls and around, through and over rock formations before eventually coming out onto farmland and the last couple of kilometres of the course. Such a scenic course and one I don't tire of. The rain of the past few days added to the adventure as we squelched and slid through mud and wet grass underfoot. 

As we were walking for enjoyment (as opposed to walking it competitively) we took the opportunity to take several photos...here are a selection!







Of course, everyone knows that the best part of the event is the finish line...and the accompanying "Finishers Medal"! Here we are, at the end of 6kms and proudly displaying our medals. What a fantastic day out and one I can highly recommend! I will be back to do it again, no doubt  :) 


Monday 4 June 2018

Easter 2018

Once again, Easter Weekend saw us off on our annual long weekend away; this time to the West coast of the North Island. About 1 hour up the coast from New Plymouth is a small settlement called Mokau. We were booked in to a bach which was named "Mokino" due to the fact it was situated between MOkau and AwaKINO   :)

This year was always going to be a bit different as some family members were unable to make it so it was going to be a smaller group than usual...or so we thought!

Upon arrival, we hurried indoors-everyone eager to grab a good bedroom! Mum and Dad had already stayed one night and they showed us upstairs to the main rooms. Upon opening the bedroom door, Briar took one look inside then quickly closed the door, with a very strange look upon her face...huh?  So I go over, open the door ...and let out a loud squeal!!!! 

There, sitting on the bed with huge grins on their faces, were my brother and sister-in-law, Arthur and Dawn-all the way from Canada!!! They had decided to fly over for a couple of weeks and kept it a surprise until we all met up. OMG-best kept secret ever!  :)

So, it was a long time before we all caught up with each other and stopped grinning stupidly at each other, hugging whenever we felt like it and generally reassuring ourselves that they were actually here in NZ in person! It seemed like such a long time since we had seen them, although Arthur had been out in November 2016 for Mum and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary but Dawn had been unable to come with him. So it was fantastic to have them both together and we loved every minute we spent with them.

 This was the view of Mount Taranaki from the deck of the bach.Perched on a clifftop, we saw some amazing sunsets (and one sunrise!) and spent a lot of time sitting on the deck admiring the views.There was a track that took us down to the beach-a 3 minute walk going down and only a fraction longer coming back up!



Here you can see the views from inside the bach-it was the perfect place for a holiday and so well set up for large groups/families like ours. The downstairs area had its own bathroom and bedrooms-ours opened out towards the sea and the garden. Upstairs was 2 bedrooms, another bathroom and the open plan kitchen/dining/lounge area. 



We spent three days exploring the area and especially enjoyed thee area known as the "Three Sisters" at Tongaporoutu-a 10 min drive down the coast.
I am unable to download my own photos that I took so you will have to make do with the links for now. Just believe me when I say, if ever you are in the area DO take the time to explore this part of the coast-it is picturesque! Just one word of warning-you do have to be aware of tides; it is only accessible at low tide and you certainly wouldn't want to get trapped by the incoming tide!

So, yet another wonderful part of NZ that we have stayed at- we have been doing our "Easter Holiday" for 10 years now and have visited some spectacular parts of the country.