A Day in New Plymouth

The Republic of Whangamomona

We took the long-way-home from Napier, via the Forgotten World Highway.

Trip to Napier

Although we weather this Summer hasn't been the best, we managed to find two dry, hot sunny days to escape to Napier. We took the long way there -inland through to Taupo, then via Whangamomona on the Forgotten World Highway the way back!!

A Walk To The Letterbox

It was such a gorgeous day today. Roo & I started to walk down the hill to collect the mail and I just had to run back & grab the camera.

Let It Snow!

Let It Snow!

There was a buzz of excitement around the country yesterday as it snowed in a whole-lotta places it just doesn't normally snow! While the South Island was hammered with we-just-don't-need-any-more-of-this snow & gales, the snow landed on North Island towns & cities at sea level, even as far as Auckland! Now I know this is not a big deal to a lot of people, especially those from the Northern Hemisphere, but it was certainly a novelty waking up to snow fluttering outside- a new experience for me! At best it was just a dusting of snow which had disappeared by lunchtime, but I was happy to hear that the school kids experienced another snowfall at morning recess, and enjoyed running around catching flakes in their mouths and other craziness. We woke again to a white lawn this morning, only this time it was a heavy frost.

A Mild New Zealand Winter?

Eight days ago we were reflecting on how mild the weather had been. Sure a few wet days here and there but pretty warm for Winter, really. On the Sunday we went for a stroll on the beach. We weren't exactly wearing short sleeves like the fishermen pictured, but Mr J was happy to run around in shorts!
The last five days, however, have been pretty dismal- thunder and lightening grumbling every couple of hours and hefty winds hammering the lower north island. I'm glad all these hills were made to cope wit lots of rain. We've just heard to expect five more days of the same. Come back sunshine...!


Wai-iti Beach

Mt. Taranaki/ Mt. Egmont

The View

Here's the view from our house on Tuesday morning. We have quite a few nice sunrises which our camera, or perhaps my lack of skills, can NEVER do justice, but I managed to catch the mist okay. We live on top of a (big) hill and have great views over the valleys towards Mt Ruapehu, which you can see on a clear day. The front of the house faces the Tasman Sea and I sometimes (ok, often) give a wave to the family across the ditch (but seriously, there's a good 2000km between Australia and New Zealand...).