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.