2019 - Hi ho, hi ho...it's off home I go!

Maybe the wine walk isn't so bad... Sunday morning...time for a brisk (thus the hat!) stroll through the vines.  It's a great walking track and a great way to start the day, get out in the fresh air...and be one with the rural setting! 50 minutes??? How about half a lap?? A friend...posing in the vines!

Saturday morning, 9 year old rugby Watching our kids play  Saturday morning sport is a very kiwi thing.  No matter how cold, we are on the sidelines in layers of warm clothing soon to be un-layered as the heat from the sun increases! It is a great social time and a great time to support kids participating in a healthy pastime.  Netball courts are super busy places on Saturday! Netball in action!

 So today was a beautiful Wellington day so a great day to be somewhere near the water.  The yachts, the sea, being outside, no matter the weather, are all very kiwi traditions.  One of the distinct differences between Oklahoma and New Zealand is the access to the ocean...breathe the salt spray! Meeting up with an ex-student for coffee might have reminded me of how long I have been in the states.  Greer was in the last 5th gr class I taught before I left NZ for the USA...how time flies! Oriental Parade - running, cycling, walking, scooting, yachts....etc Meeting up with an ex-student for coffee - my, how fast they grow up!

Napier It's a great day for fishing! Any time is time for a good wine! A great thing to do on a Sunday afternoon is to drive up to Napier and walk along the wharf.  Napier is a port city, with a HUGE container wharf and lots of yachts, fishing boats and leisure boats.  On a beautiful, winter afternoon it's a great place to be. One of a whole line of restaurants along the wharf Fishing boats tie up at the wharf

Good food, wine and coffee are key aspects of kiwi culture.  Gathering over any of the above are part of daily life here. Luckily I am adaptable to these expectations (and any time is the right time for a wine!). Family dinner time - Mum, Aunties, Cousin and Great-nephew Multi-generational! Homemade (by my aunty) raspberry jam - REAL jam! Hot chocolate - learning the cafe culture young! Cheers!  Bubbles at the vineyard - a suitable afternoon activity! Elephant Hill vineyard - wine is a culture here Leek and chicken gratin - homemade food is the norm

Houston - we have NO problem! Yes! They know I'm here! REAL COFFEE!!! Announcing the arrival of...me! After 13 hours and few minutes (who's counting!), great food, great wine...and actually some decent sleep (plane sleep that is!)...we actually arrived early in Auckland!  Love how we do passport control and Customs - passports control all automated - no daunting lines...no people shouting instructions of where to go...just calm and friendly - so very refreshing! Next stop - good food and amazing coffee!  Super yummy date, pumpkin and ginger scone - amazing (should have taken a pic!).  Finally arrived in Hastings around 11:45a.m., off to Mum's and trying to stay awake until a real bedtime - 8:30 is a real bedtime, right?

Leaving tomorrow afternoon... Packed?...kind of Ready?...sort of How difficult can it be to throw a few clothes in a bag and catch a plane??? Easy!