25th June 2012

Monday is traditionally washing day and today was no different. There was some wind today which made it bitterly cold but at least it dried the clothes in between rain showers. Several times during the day Olive and I made the mad dash outside to rescue the clothes as the rain came down.
Kevin and Chris were due back from the rally in Auckland in the afternoon. I messaged them several times and they eventally arrived after doing a spot of Tiki Touring. After a short break we went down town to buy some food for tea at brother Petes house. We also bought a portable drive for Kevin's computer as he had run out of memory and couldn't download the last of his rally photos.
The evening at Peters was lovely. We met some of his new friends and caught up with some we had met on previous visits. Even though it was cold we stayed reasonably warm with a patio heater and a workshop heater. Mind you, I did not take off my coat. As it was work the next day for most, they left early and then we had a coffee inside before heading home to bed.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Taupo

24th June 2012

Today started out looking as if the day would be grey and wet, but we had a spot of sun peeking through and then a rainbow formed in the sky. I went to church with Olive and then she took me out to lunch. I have been to L'Arte before one summer holiday a few years ago now. The studio is now a lovely little cafe. A new studio has been created further up in the garden.



Lunch was really yummy. I had a chicken and mushroom in filo with a great salad.


The gardens dispayed a wonderful collection of sculpture made from metal, wood and ceramics. I loved the colours in this flower.

Location:Sunday, Sunday

23rd June 2012

It is a grey day today. The sky is overcast and there is hardly a breath of wind. I went for a walk through the area behind the house that had been logged and cleared. The only sign of life was a big fat bumblebee that was feeding on the thistle flowers.



I then found my way along the reserve and down through a gully. This was easier walking and had a collection of interesting plants.
Several trees still held onto their beautiful autumn colour as they were protected from the wind.









I even found some wattle just coming into bloom. It made me feel as if I was in Australia. There were a few eucalypts as well.
On my return to the house, Olive invited me to go with her next door to visit her neighbour. Kathy is a teacher, who works with kids not making progress in a one on one programme. Sadly the programme finishes at the end of the year and she will need to find a new position.
After lunch I spent some time trying to draw blackbirds. They are rather a pesky bird but they have a lovely fat shape. This time I used the Art pack on my Ipad to create my drawing.



Olive and I decided to go down town to get some meat for tea, but the car would not start. It was as dead as a dodo. Luckily we could ring the AA to come and have a look. Hope fully they will not be too long.
...............
The car is now running. I think we must have left a door open which will drain the battery over two days.
I wonder what the rally boys are up to. I hope they ring tonight to give me an update. At least the weather has been on their side.

Location:Taupo

22nd June 2012

Today was another beautiful day in paradise. The temperature was zero, but the sun was shining. After breakfast I decided to go for a walk with my camera in tow. I headed towards the lake and went through some open gates which led to a empty lot that ended with a huge drop down to the lake.



I took some photos and headed back homewards. On the way I collected a few leaves as I have planned to make some leaf stamps and needed to draw around them form a pattern. I found these strange looking cones on a tree and still have not found out what they are. As the tree was bare, it is hard to use most online tools for plant identification.



When I got home I got out my sketch book and had a go at some drawing and painting. I am so out of practice, I need to do more.
I tried out my macro lens yesterday. As it is winter there are not a lot of plants in bloom. These were taken in the garden.












This Tui was puffed up and showing off to the female nearby. He looked so silly perched up on top of the branch.



Another view of the lake this morning.

Location:Taupo

21st June 2012

Another quiet day as the boys are in Auckland at the shake down for the New Zealand Rally. My DH likes to play tricks on his friends and family. Yesterday, his friends played a prank on him. His friends Sam and Tim were going to Darwin for the V8's, and were not coming to NZ for the Rally. Or so they said. Yesterday afternoon, they arrived and gave him a huge surprize. One more down to the friends. Now I wonder what Troy and Carrie are up to. Probably babysitting!!
This afternoon I went shopping with MIL and came home with some warm socks for my ugg boots, as well as two tops and a baby toy.
I had a phone call from DD to say that the hotwater system had burst and she had called the plumber. Now we have a new hotwater system in the unit. The bank account is a lot smaller.



Oball original by Rhino Toys.

Location:Taupo

20th June 2012

Today was a quiet day. After breakfast the boys packed their suitcases and set off for Auckland and the New Zealand International Rally. Back here in Taupo we did the washing, changed beds and cleaned up. The weather was fine, though not very warm. I spent this afternoon reading and then making a copy of a pattern for a tea-cosy.


This was in the NZ Woman's Weekly, but not in my digital version.

Location:Taupo NZ

19th June 2012

Today we headed off for a day in Rotarua. Even though it was raining, we set off at about 9 am. Our first stop was Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. We were in time to watch the Geyser blow and went for a leisurely walk around the different mud pools, craters and steaming fumaroles. The boys did the more difficult section while I headed back to the shop.
After that trip we headed into Rotarua and the Skyline Luge. We managed to dodge the rain showers, except the last trip down, when they got wet on the chair lift ride back.
We did a quick look around the shops trying to find some new hd tapes for Garretts camera. We also tried a few newsagents looking for magazines. Last of all we went to Starbucks for coffee and muffins. It was the worst coffee I have ever had.
We all snoozed as Kevin drove back to Taupo. We went to Prime Roast for tea, which was great value for money.



It is just starting.



Here it is about 4 metres high.



Kevin, Garrett and Chris.



A yellow pool of mud. The yellow is from the sulfur and arsenic in the mud.


This pool was bright green.



A fantail was entertaining me at the end of my walk.



The boys had fun on the luge.

Location:Rotarua