Black Water Rafting

This is a holding space, as our photo's are all on a CD, taken by the guides and the PC doesn't have one. But this is at the museum a few minutes later - very cold still at this point!

The party

Sindy and mum put on a surprise 50th birthday party for Georgina. We were told it was a mid year Xmas party. What a shock it was! First to see Sarah and Zoe Hodder, then aunty Margaret and Tammy, and Adrienne and Gilbert. It still didn't dawn what was going on but finally George focussed on the big birthday sign on the wall. What a night. Food, drink, dancing, hangi even, more dancing. Chris Hanes getting drunk and locking poor wee Molly in the shed after the party. Mum and Leo having a dance (this was a bit worrying given Leo's condition), looking so happy. Robin and Jon turning up. All great fun and truly a night to remember. P.S. So what am I expected to do next year now when I really turn 50??? (George).

Whangapoua

We spent one night at Faith and Gavins beach. It was lovely there but the beach has been pretty wrecked by the big storm. No doubt it will sort itself out again over time. We stopped off briefly at Whitianga on the way back to Hamilton.

Arriving back in NZ after Vanuatu

We had amazing views when flying in from Vanuatu. We flew over Great Barrier and the Coromandel,.

We stayed at Devonport with Deidre, Lance and Eli. Georgina walked Eli to playcentre and climbed up Mt Victoria with Deidre (G forgot the camera though!). What a beautiful place to live. We then went over the bridge to meet up with Jo C for coffee - and another cafe breakfast of course. Then we took off to the Coromandel coast. The sun has shined on us for most of our time in NZ which we are really thankful for.

Vanuatu

We arrived at Faiths place with the sea quite whipped up and overcast. Each day it has calmed down and yesterday we had some great snorkelling and kayaking at Havanna Harbour. We have overeaten papaya, tiny bananas and tropical passionfruit. It is a kind of paradise here with the slow pace of life and wonderful climate. The sea is so clear and full of life.

Michelle had lots of firsts: green coconut drink, kava! snorkelling, kayaking and riding on the back of the truck from Havanna harbour. It's lovely being with 'big sister' again and sampling her wonderful lifestyle. I don't think we are going to want to go home!

Hamilton Lake walk

Sindy took us to the Hamilton lake for a walk around it with Molly (8 month old Sydney Silky). It rained but was still great fun. Sindy and I are not twins, not that you would believe it in this shot.

The walk was a welcome break from all the mall shopping and eating that we had been doing.

Michelle got excited because the NZ sparrows were a bit different so they warranted a photo!

We found plenty of Pukekos and a sunken waka. It rained on the way and Molly turned into a sodden little pup and had to be carried by Sindy part of the way.

Seeing Yann