Waitarere Beach house

Finally finished decorating Waitarere. Still some tidying up to do but able to stay over now. 

Back into keeping blog up to date with what we are doing. Watch this space.

Nice beach

Staying with John, Avril's brother for 3 weeks just up the road.

Twins 1st birthday

Opening pressies

Looking out over Levin

Another great day

Weather changes

Typical NZ hot one day wet the next.

Just testing

Another great day in paradise about 25deg

Smartphone

Can now blog on the run so should get some more up to date stuff now

Wet again

After a long warm autumn and summer it seems to be pay back time. The very odd fine day just to keep us interested but mainly cold and wet and windy. Today is no exception, although to be fair it has been forecast. We might actually be lucky to have avoided some of the really bad stuff. I think we are getting "cabin fever" not having been away in the caravan for some time. Still trip now planned, leaving 12th August as we have to take the van up to the factory in Hamilton. Problem with the varnish on the cupboard doors, a white powder coming through. Evidently a problem caused by spraying varnish in humid conditions. We will probably head up to New Plymouth and then across through the King Country to Hamilton. Maybe a couple of days in Auckland whilst van fixed, nothing confirmed yet.
Hannah spent her first night with us a couple of weekends ago. Very excited-grandparents that is!! Hoping to do it again next week when Antony is on holiday. She will going to school soon so will be more difficult to arrange.
Having the twins on Wednesdays is working well and giving Lauren some space for a few hours. They are very settled now at 6 months. Starting to eat solids and able to sit in high chairs.

Last caravan club rally was through the Manawatu George close to the Ruahine Forest Park by Woodville. A small basic camp ground on a farm. Great time as it was a "music" theme with a sing a long in the evenings. We had to dress in a "song" theme for people to guess the song. The pics will give you an idea. "Sadie the cleaning lady" and "Rule Britannia".

Update

Ruahine Ranges

Its a lousy wet day. We have fire going in lounge, Avril is cleaning out wardrobe and as you can see I am doing this. Luckily mowed the lawns yesterday, so wet at the moment. We are spending a couple of weekends at home for a change, then next Friday we are off to a Country and Western Music weekend at a NZ Motor Home Assoc camp in Hawkes Bay (Takapau for those who know where it is). Only costs $40 for weekend, but we do have to park in field!! Whole weekend of music with about 150 plus other vans and motor homes. Should be good as long as it isn't too cold. The weekend after we have a club rally on a farm just outside Woodville, great spot under the Ruahine Ranges. A proper camp with power, toilets etc. We have to get the fire going to heat water for showers, which also heats the kitchen where we gather for meals etc.
The vehicle we have been using to tow the caravan is a bit underpowered, only rated to tow 1800kg. Our van loaded is around 2000kg so we looked around for something capable of towing it safely and have bought a 3 year old Ford Ranger twin cab (ie a ute with a canopy but able to seat four/five people).http://www.autotrader.co.nz/used-cars-for-sale/ford-ranger/760353 (The same as this but red with grey wheel arches). Will be a lot happier towing with it. Picking up next Wed in time for rally at Takapau.
Last week with twins was a bit more challenging as we had "crying" a new experience for us, well in more recent times anyway!! Once they had settled they were great. I think their Mum was a bit unhappy when she rang and heard Casey screaming. We are both loving the opportunity to spend time with them here at our house. They are growing and developing so quickly. We also spent some time with Hannah last weekend taking Ant, Jenny and Hannah out for a Yum Cha lunch in Wellington, then wandered around Te Papa as it was too cold to be outside. Hannah loves it there and knows here way around the museum. Great spot on a cold day and always something new to look at.