Right on cue

These photos speak for themselves...

 

My mother, my birthday, and things to do in Taranaki

As I write this, a plane is winging its way to Auckland with my mum onboard.  We've just had the most blissful two weeks together.

I had a big blub at the airport as we said goodbye and now I'm stuffing my face with leftover birthday schnitzel and potato bake.  And a can of coke.

Speaking of my birthday (I turned 37, and no I don't mind you asking), I had exactly the day I wanted.  My favourite part was in the evening, little girls in bed, everyone else in the kitchen helping to prepare the food.  Cooking, chopping, stirring, laughing, drinking, ducking around each other, and talking all the while.

I was wishing I'd taken some photos of the joyful chaos but actually now I think it was better to just live in it instead of always trying to capture it.  I might forget the specifics but I won't soon forget that feeling of utter contentment.  And then eating the food we'd all prepared, and second helpings, followed by the failed pavlova the most fabulous - I refuse to say scrumptious - Eton mess.

But what have we been doing for the past two weeks, you ask?  Lots of eating, lots of talking, plenty of driving around, and a good amount of sightseeing.

Mum, being the person she is, also weeded the vegetable garden (with one enthusiastic helper), and did load after load of washing.  She helped prepare dinner every night.



We read books.





One night, once the girls were in bed, she and I went to Pukekura Park to visit the Festival of Lights, which is free to all.

We visited the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, also known as the Len Lye Centre, which was truly stunning.  And also free.

There were three fascinating exhibitions when we visited, but even the building itself was worth the visit.

We also saw the Maori history exhibit at Puke Ariki, the museum, which was absorbing and seriously depressing all rolled into one.  And - you guessed it - free.

Not pictured, we went to Pukeiti, which is a rhododendron garden on the slopes of Mount Taranaki, which is free.  We also visited Brooklands Zoo, which is free.  We went up the mountain, free.

We went out for coffee.  Not free, but worth every cent.

We all put on several kilos.

We experienced the full range of Taranaki weather from stifling heat (well, we thought it was hot.  Mum came from Adelaide where it was 45C so she kept her jumper on all day) and humidity, to driving rain, lashing wind, and a number of beautiful cool sunny days.

We shopped in town sans children which was a revelation, and I feel happy every time I glance out the window to see my new hanging basket.

On my birthday we attempted to go up the mountain since it was one of those stunning crystal clear days I mentioned.  Unfortunately everyone else had had the same idea and we were turned back as the carpark was full.

So instead we went to Lake Mangamahoe, which was completely breathtaking anyway.

In case you can't guess, it's been a wonderful two weeks (actually only 12 days).  I can't believe it was only two weeks (12 days) ago that the girls and I raced down to the airport before breakfast that wet morning to pick Mum up.

>sob<

A visit from Grandpa

Hi gang!

It's been a little while since my last post as we had a visit from my dad, J and A's Grandpa, last week.

Speaking of my previous post just quickly, thank you for the lovely response!  I know it doesn't change anything about the situation but it's always reassuring to hear just how many people have experienced the same thing.  I especially like you people whose non-sleepers have gone on to log 12+ hours per night within a year or two.  Keep those tales coming please!

We had a great time last week with Grandpa.  The last time he saw the girls was at Christmas so it was wonderful for them to see each other again.

J had an absolute ball with her captive audience all week and got her fill of kisses and hugs and tickles.

The weather was pretty average the whole time, plenty of rain, but we managed to squeeze in a bit of sightseeing including one trip up the mountain during a brief spell of sunshine.  Dad will probably want to kill me for posting this, but here is his bald spot he admiring the mountain.

We were having too much fun for me to take many other photos during the week, most unlike me but sometimes it's nice to take a break from capturing every single moment.

We did take Grandpa to the Brooklands Zoo which we are quite devoted to.  I'ts beautifully done, with a farmyard, a huge monkey enclosure, a walk-through aviary, a big playground in the middle, and - my favourite part - entry is free.

The rain has continued into this week, and the girls and I have all come down with colds.  It's like a mouth breathers convention when we all sit around the table together.

J is now doing two days per week at kindy starting this term and loving every minute.  She's really gaining confidence there and talks about the place for the rest of the week.  It's been a great fit.  I love arriving to pick her up to find her pottering around in the garden with her little friends or just sitting quietly doing a puzzle, perfectly content.

Well, I'm fresh out of things to talk about so here is another photo of the mountain because: mountain.

The Seaside Market

We've had a fairly productive week around here.  B is almost finished (or maybe he is finished, I can't remember) getting the electric fencing in order which means a) some stock at last and b) new levels of vigilance required to keep J from electrocuting herself.  Fun!

We'll be getting some cattle in first of all just to eat the grass down.  Then I think there'll be some sheep to keep in the orchard and in the house paddock.  Chickens, of course.  Ponies, DUH.  Ok ponies are probably a long way off but if I keep saying it maybe I will manifest it to be true.

As I write this I'm stuffing my gob with cheese scones which our neighbour M just dropped off to me, still hot from the oven.  This morning I accidentally woke her up as I was delivering an apple and feijoa crumble which I'd made to say thanks for the brownies she'd made last week.  If this keeps up I'll be the size of a house.  And, let's face it, pretty darn happy.

Speaking of darn happy, the cat is seriously pleased with the new living arrangements.  He spends his days stalking through the grass feeling like a jungle panther.  That is until the neighbour's chickens come stalking through the grass from the other direction and they're a bit too big and scary.  Far better to find a decent perch up off the ground and imagine how he'd whip those chickens into line, just if he could be bothered.

J is 90% sure there are fairies in our garden and I tend to agree with her.  Wouldn't you live here if you were a fairy?

B's next project is to move some fences around.  We've all been having a great fun in the afternoons out there as a family kicking through the undergrowth.  This pear tree (below) is the most amazing climbing tree, even if it is in danger of tearing itself apart.

I just love the late afternoon light here as it slants through the trees.  The house is positioned so the sun tracks across the living room and warms our bedrooms in the late afternoon.

 Most mornings now I step out of the house quite early and go for a walk around with my camera.  It's cool and quiet with just the birds and the occasional rooster crowing.  I can smell the smoke from the chimney and I usually have J scampering around with me, thrilled to be out in the fresh air.

I really love it here.  I love being outside of town, I love watching J (and, to a lesser extent, A) exploring and playing and observing.

We've got two big camellias on the verge of bursting into flower and I almost can't stand the suspense!

This morning we headed into town to check out the Seaside Market in New Plymouth.  I remember writing it on the calendar when we were still living in Perth and it felt quite surreal.

Unfortunately a few of these photos are overexposed.  My excuse is that I was juggling the camera, a coffee, and a certain chubby baby who was strapped to my front.  Also, I forgot to change my camera settings and also did not check the shots after I took them.  And, I have no editing software to fix them.

The markets were quite good.  I'd mistakenly expected that it was a farmers' market but it was much more of a craft market with the standard crafty stalls - wood carvings, kids' jackets made out of old blankets, macarons, spicy sauces, and ready made terrariums (terraria?).

The foods on offer were all pretty great, especially the Hungarian bread puffs.  I have no idea what they are except FREAKING DELICIOUS.  See exhibit A below.  Kind of a cross between a beignet, bruschetta, and a donut.

So that about wraps it up.  Hopefully next time I write there will be photos of cows in between the mountain and garden shots.  Got to mix it up, right?