Family Gathering 2009

David has posted all the photos on his blog. Great fun was had by all.

Visit to Devonport with Robert and Children

We found a lovely shady spot where Stacey and Caleb could play in the sand.



Cute sparrows competed with sea gulls for biscuit crumbs.



We wondered if this H28 in the distance was our old boat, Juliet. She is obviously rigged for the 5 knot 'gale'.

40th Wedding Anniversary

To celebrate our ruby wedding anniversary we decided to have a night away in Warkworth. We awoke to rain and quite chilly temperatures on Sunday morning so decided to leave the roof on DAE.
Ascension Vineyard seemed like a good place to celebrate the occasion! The weather was looking decidedly better by the the time we got there - the sun even ventured out once or twice.
For lunch we shared a delicious platter and a lovely bottle of Ascension Vineyard sauvignon blanc.


After lunch we travelled on a little farther to Tawharanui, where we had a very pleasant walk along the beach. The rain had disappeared completely by then.


We began a leisurely drive home on Monday, after a stroll around Warkworth. We took a country road to Kaukopakopa then headed back to Auckland via Helensville. We stopped at one point to enjoy a nice view of the Kaipara Harbour, and spotted this sculpture of a crashed 'balsa-wood chuck glider'. We'd seen a smaller version of it in the art gallery at Devonport, a few days ago.

Where's my duck?

He's not in the gardens any more. I hope he flew away and was not Christmas dinner for someone :-( He's such a lovely duck.

Staff Luncheon and Retirement

Following a really scrumptious lunch the staff put on a production for me!



I was then presented with a school bag and each person gave me a memento to remind me of school.






"For morning tea or when you miss the little monkeys."

Christmas Eve 2008

Thanks, David, for these lovely photos.






Super-Nana enjoyed being with the kids.





The Red Baron's straps were a bit long so had to be adjusted, but Caleb liked the look of the car by then.



Stacey found its potential. They were a bit puzzled as they had not heard of Snoopy or the Red Baron.

Aeroplanes for 5 year olds

My friend, Brenda Hansen, teaches 5 year olds, and they are doing a Christmas production which includes Snoopy's Christmas. Doug made up these two apple-box aeroplanes that will hopefully fit 5 year olds and last at least as long as the stage show! Some leftover bits might get put together for Caleb. Brenda said she would take some pictures of the kids wearing them...

Long Bay

We have David & Ruth staying here, and on Sunday visited Long Bay Regional Park.

Stacey's 7th birthday

Stacey & Caleb popped around this morning.


They are always very hungry.


After lunch we went out to Awhitu Regional Park for a walk on the beach. We met this nice Californian Quail.

Ducks at Wenderholm

We found these two ducks at Wenderholm that look very similar to 'my duck' at the Manukau Gardens. They must be cousins.



And these ducklings, part of a brood of 12, enjoyed some bread from a camper.

Another art lesson! Graham Braddock sent his off-sider to teach us about colour. We only used the primary colours to create our masterpieces.

Teddy and Middle Eastern Rabbit arrive safely.

Emily and Natasha welcome Teddy and Eastern Rabbit home. They will have lots to tell them.

Teddy leaves for Australia

Teddy and the Middle Eastern Rabbit are on their way!