I’m home….
Well after 4 intense weeks in a whirlwind travel around New Zealand North Island visiting family and friends, chatting, laughing, sharing memories and meals and also finding places I had not seen when I lived here, I am finally back in Australia. Time to reflect on the adventure and sort through hundreds of photos and share some of the highlights.
I have been in a bubble of happiness and sharing. Creating new moments and memories with my family and reliving times from the past with my friends. Also finding roads less travelled that I had not seen when I lived in New Zealand for almost 40 years.
The first weekend we went on a beach BBQ with my son and family. The weather was perfect, the sun burning down onto the black sands of the west coast. Karioitahi Beach is a popular spot for families and at low tide vehicles can go further along the beach to find a secluded, grassy hideaway to set up the chairs and fire up the “barbie”
The black sand beach of Karioitahi main beach.
Low tide
The “boys” go ahead in the land rover taking the food and BBQ while we walk the couple of kilometres to their favourite picnic spot. It is hard going in the hot sand, we are working up an appetite.
The flax is an iconic New Zealand plant that grows all along the shore, it has just finished flowering.
Shelter is set up to protect us from the sun
The energetic younger ones take the dog for a game in the ocean.
Meanwhile we all relax and watch the sausages being cooked.
Yummy traditional New Zealand BBQ tucker….
Waiting patiently for his share…
Sun sparkling on the ocean
It was a perfect start to our stay in New Zealand.
I hope you enjoyed this taste of New Zealand beach culture. Next I will be going to visit the Auckland Art Gallery.
gypsy life 
Boy you 2 look good, love the photosx
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Thanks Joan
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Welcome home!!! I am going to enjoy these posts so much. I love to travel … even doing it from my chair with you as my guide! Anxious to see more.
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Thank you SC, welcome aboard I hope you enjoy the journey. BTW could not use the Ipad much as the internet connections in NZ are few and far between. so had an, almost, computer free 4 weeks….
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That sounds …….. wonderful!!!
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Er wonderful!!!!! well yes and no, I did get withdrawals lol
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welcome home pommepal, what a fascinating beach with all that black sand!
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That is iron sand and it is so hot I could not walk on it in bare feet.
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gosh, if I ever get the chance I must go and see it!
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But make sure you have your shoes on when you walk on the sand…
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Nice to see you back PP and you have sure whetted my appetite with that delish barbie and bottle of NZ sav blanc (I’m hoping). Is that a gas barbie then? Oh how I miss that sort of socialising. Looking forward to the rest..
Jude xx
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G’day Jude good to be back I’ve loved NZ but missed all my blogging buddies… The wine was Pinot Gris, and very nice and light. Yes the BBQ is a gas one and very portable. Laurie and Kerry have a pop up tent on top of the Land rover and they have occasionally parked in that spot over night and the tide comes right up and cuts them off from civilisation, just them the stars and the ocean, very romantic
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That’s so cool PP. Makes me wish I was young again.
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Me too…
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Thank you so much for taking me with you today! I’ve wanted to visit NZ for years 😀
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Lots more to come Dianne. Have you packed your toothbrush… 🙂
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It’s in the bag! 😀
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Wholeheartedly agree, welcome home, so glad to see a little of your bubble on your blog, looking forward to seeing more of your happiness bubbles in near future. David and I have missed your blogs.
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Hi to you both, I will be busy blogging for a while before we take off to WA. How are my favourite cats?
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All great and so glad to have us home, as we are to be home with them. Your beautifully nurtured Black Russian tomato tree has just had a tidy up, growing beautifully and loads of fruit on the way. Thanks again for all your love and care.
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Loved your photos Pauline, and so happy you are still in your Bubble of Happiness…. Enjoy your homecoming… Take care.. and have a super weekend.. Sue xox
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Hi Sue, great to hear from you. Just had to check out and answer my lovely community. Now I am going to the farmers market to stock up on fresh fruit and veg.
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awesome photos of your time – and I love those seasons that are (as you call it) A BUBBLE OF HAPPINESS.
~y.
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G’day Y, yes time spent with family, when you only see them occasionally, is real quality time and very precious memories
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What a marvelous day, beautiful place, beautiful family! I am glad you had such a nice vacation and am glad you are safely home~
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Thanks Cindy, It’s comforting to be back with my cyber family, I’m looking forward to catching up with you all.
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Welcome back, Pommepal. Wonderful pics of having a relaxing family time. Those sausages look delicious. 🙂
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G’day Sylvia, Sausages always taste soooo good at the beach….
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I’m glad you’re back and look really forward to your future photos. Thank you for sharing your sweet and relaxing day at the beach….
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Thanks Jet it was such a typical NZ weekend thing to do
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Yes, welcome home!
And now for our guided tour – lovely first glimpse – thank you!
del
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Thanks Del, good to be back. I thought of you when we went round an art gallery with a special exhibition on sewing. Will be blogging about it soon…
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Oh, kind of you! Will eagerly await your report.
del xx
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Welcome home..now let the blogging begin! 😉
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hey Dawn – have to chime in on that one – cause it is spoken like a true blogger…. “let the bloggin’ begin…” how many folks have said that after a trip. ha ha – just great. ~y.
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🙂
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I’ll second that comment, now the house work and even the gardening can wait !!!!!
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Lol
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G’day Dawn yes and I only have 3 weeks to “do” NZ…..
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I look forward to every post!
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Wow Dawn now that is pressure, but in a very nice way. 🙂
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‘A bubble of happiness and sharing’ is always something to enjoy! Looking forward to more posts on this….:)
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Thanks Sue it is always great to spend time with loved ones.
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