North Island Day 23

Absolutely stunning scenery on our way home today. God's creation is just so spectacular.

We had 240km to travel today which takes over 3 hours. It was lovely that we did not have to rush home last night but could take a slow drive down the coast and enjoy a lovely morning together.

Just before Kaikoura there is a wonderful seal spotting area which we have been looking forward to stopping at. And we were not disappointed.
It was lovely for the girls to see how difficult it is for them to move on land.
We found this little platform to go stand on.
Wonderful to be so close.

But far enough away to be safe when these two started fighting. Again special that the girls could hear the noise that they make.
We hopped in the car and a few hundred meters further saw another parking area and found the proper viewing site. Information and safety warnings included.
It was lovely to see all the mothers and pups in this area.

The highlight must have been this baby pool. It was lovely watching them playing around.

One little one tried to following mum but decided that big water was not worth the risk just yet.

This was an amazing experience. To see so many seals in the wild and so close to us. Thank You Lord for Your wonderful creation and the enjoyment we have had from it over the last 3 weeks.

Crayfish and home

Another thing we had looked forward to in the Kaikokoura area was stopping for crayfish.

Ruth was the only one of the girls to enjoy it.

And she really did like it. The first photo shows such a serious face but I think she was just concentrating on how to get the flesh out of the leg.

They were all there and ready to chose from. They sell so many every day it's amazing.

Rachel did at least try it and was happy to pose for a photo. Good memories made - although not as good as the ones I have as a child of choosing a live one from the tank and then cooking it ourselves at my Aunt's home. My Dad always says you must involve as many senses as possible in creating memories and he sure did that for me. I have such clear and wonderful memories of that holiday in Cape Town so many years ago. :-)

From Kaikoura to were we start heading inland there are many sections where the mountain comes right down to the sea and so the road (which is right next to the sea) goes through small tunnels. Rachel remembered these from our first trip to the North Island in November 2008 but we missed this on the way up on this trip as we traveled further on the inland road.

Hannah absolutely loved it and kept spotting the tunnels for the train (there are many more for the train than the cars). It was so funny because as soon as she would see a tunnel coming up she would say "tunnel - car" and we would say "no" and she would join us in saying "tunnel for the train".

Once we left the coast it got a little boring for the girls. Ruth fell asleep quickly and Hannah spent some time with one of her new birthday presents. These faces are quite typical of her stubbornness when she does not want to look at the camera. She was actually very happy - just not happy to pose.

Thankfully Hannah eventually fell asleep to. She had to have Baby Bop and her blanket though. :-)

We arrived home around lunch time.

Over the last 23 days we have traveled 3,434km and spent at least 57 hours traveling (not counting the ferry trips). We had 12 places to stay (9 different ones - we doubled up on 3 on our way home). We saw friends that we have not seen for 9 years (with others it's been 3 and 6 and 8 years). We have had the most amazing weather and made wonderful memories. It's been the most incredible holiday I have ever had.

As soon as the car was unpacked Rachel disappeared into the library with her cats.

And Brendon got stuck into vacuuming out the car. His logic - it's parked outside to get unpacked so we may as well do the job properly. I think it does show though how relaxed we all are. We were not exhausted getting home as can sometimes happen on holiday. So yes - he is back at work tomorrow - but very well rested.

Later I was very pleased to see Tiger on Rachel's lap in his normal position. We knew they would be fed and looked after physically but were a little concerned about them not having the regular company. So we were very thankful to know that Tiger especially is just as affectionate as when we left.

Thank You Lord for a phenomenal 3 weeks.

North Island Day 22

By 8:30am we were on the road. Steffan was up and follow us out the drive and down their road.

We decided to try get down to Wellington a bit earlier so that we could get to the museum before checking in for the ferry. It's a 140km drive which takes over 2 hours.

The actual size of the heart of a whale.

Doing some exploring.

This was an amazing section. Reactive furniture or something. As we walked under this the little fan like things closed up. I should have taken a video. It was incredible and had us walking past a few times.

Without the flash so that you can see how pretty it was too.

Enjoying one of the many children's sections.

More exploring.

By 1pm we had to check in for the ferry. So we had our lunch as we waited. It's always fun to watch all the boats.

Rachel had managed to sell some biscuits through the holiday but still had quite a few left so she walked around the cars and sold almost everything she had left. Well done Rachel.

We arrived in Picton around 5 and then just had the short 55km to Seddon for our last night of holiday.

It was amazing to notice how brown it is here after being on the North Island. The North Island was definitely not as green as we expected it to be - but it's not quite as dry as here.

A spectacular sun set. A fitting end to the day on our last evening before returning home. We have had the most wonderful 3 weeks and thank the Lord for a wonderful time.

I must also note here that it was while we visited here that the girls were given grapes to eat. There were many and eventually we had to tell Hannah to stop otherwise she might get a sore tummy. I write this a month and a half later and still - if Hannah sees grapes - she says "tummy sore" and we have to keep telling her "only if you eat too many". :-)

North Island Day 21

Because we were traveling yesterday we decided we would celebrate Hannah's birthday today rather. I baked the cake in the afternoon and showed it to her. Once they went to bed I started icing it. When she heard the mixer she called "Tractor Cake" she was so excited and knew I was working on it. Brendon was a great help and we got the cake finished by 11pm.
In the morning as soon as she woke up I said "Hannah - what day is it" and she said "Birthday - Tractor Cake". She was very excited about getting presents.
Wow - another one.

She was very excited to get her own recorder. She would always borrow Rachel's one - so at least know she has her own. She got very shy with the camera though and as soon as I put it away she started playing.
She was very happy with her tractor cake.

She had been practicing blowing for her candles. She blew them out though as soon as they were lit so we lit them again for a photo and to get to sing Happy Birthday. Kath and the boys joined us for her little party. The original plan would have been having this yesterday with 8 other children, but the Lord had other plans and it was still a special time to remember God's goodness to her over the last 2 years.

When we stayed at Jason and Michelle I went with Michelle one night to a card making evening and the one card that was being made was a tractor card. So it worked perfectly with Hannah's birthday. Happy Birthday to our tractor made little girl.

While the younger two had their afternoon nap Rachel, Ioan and I headed down to the indoor heated pools for a swim. I was thankful to know that my arm is slowly improving and I am feeling sure I will manage the swim in the allocated time for the life saving course I have the weekend after we get home.

Hannah enjoying some tractor toys that she found.

I tried to get a photo of her looking at the camera but she was just in a playing mood the whole afternoon. Our busy little bee she is.

Rachel had so much fun with the boys this evening. They had amazing imaginative games they were playing.

What it would look like at home every day if she had older brothers. :-)

Thanks Ian and Kath for having allowing us to stay at the beginning and the end of our holiday. It was great getting to visit with you again.

North Island Day 20

Rachel must have been the most excited about our staying in a Motel for the night. She was thrilled with her lovely bed and appreciated so many little things. Brendon got a photo of the three girls sitting outside and Rachel said it felt like they were sitting at a train station (a scene from Narnia stimulating her imagination).

The office building. Even though this was not the original plan it was a special part of the holiday.

Unfortunately my back went into spasm this morning - between my shoulder blades - something I had never experienced before. We ended up going to the Emergency Room at the hospital after phoning around for options. I could not even sit or stand at first but Brendon got everything packed up and then slowly got me into the car. After a pain killer and anti-inflammatory the muscles started to relax and we could finally hit the road. At least now we have some anti-inflammatory in the medicine chest. It really is a horrible pain, and to be so immobilized with spasm. I do thank the Lord for the medication that is available now days to help things like this.

We had 240km to do today. Making our way back to Palmerston North and then we retrace our steps home. It was lovely to drive through Stradford - the town where our friends in Taihape used to stay. We got subways for lunch there and were thankful to see Ruth eating a bit more than the last 2 days. Her feet are also not as painful which we are thankful for.

Such a beautiful mountain. Rachel was asking about volcanoes and what would happen if it erupted when there was snow on it. We had quite a bit of conversation about it all and had said to her that we did not know when the last volcano actually erupted. Within about a week of getting home from holiday she would be able to have many of her questions answered when the volcano in Iceland erupted.

Thankfully in Palmerston North we stay in a flat and so it was easier to keep Ruth away from the boys. She will be contagious for around a week, so we just want to be careful. Hannah really took to building the blocks that are always here for the girls to play with. She would put one on at a time. And if you gave her two joined she would separate them and then stack them to the tower one by one.

Rachel actually came in from playing with the boys to have a look at the tower as it grew.

And grew.

We were surprised that it actually stood on it's own. Well done Hannah - a lovely tall tower.

And as she built it - she got to knock it down. Such fun. :-)