Into 2007...

It was great to spend a wonderful amount of time with Clare and Martin both in our rental home and our first new home in Auckland. They were such good company and we miss them all so much already. But they left us with some wonderful memories, lots of funny things to recall and plenty of love to ensure we are well looked after until we all meet again.

The big swing proved a memorable experience for everyone. When he kids said they would take the challenge it was difficult to gage who was really scared, those taking part or those left to witness the fear in little eyes.



A bit of aprehension after being strapped in, but excitement prevails.



If only they were wearing Pampers... I don't think they realised it was going to travel so high in the sky. When they finally let go the combination of fear and the thrill was so great we coupld quite catch it on camera. However, to their enternal credit they all went on for a second time.



The children inspired George to have a go too. Thank goodness there was one brave grown up in the crew.



The Luge is always good fun and here Clare comes through the crowd having negotiated the luge circuit.

Zorbing in Rotorua

When it comes to having fun in Rotorua, the kids really know how to lead the way. Here Ben, Sam, Yasmin and Theo show us all how to get the 'rush' as we enjoyed the last days of 2006. For those who have never heard of Zorbing, it's where you to climb inside a huge plastic ball, partially filled with water, roll downhill like a mouse in a cage and emerge with much laughter. Apprently!



Sammy & Yasmin dressed and ready to go.



Ben looking rather relaxed before the main event.



Nerves begin to kick in as they take the 'off road' drive to the Zorb launch site.



Off they go...



...and out they pop just like being born again.

Food Glorious Food

Meeting Paul and Sue has been one of the special things to happen to us since our arrival in Auckland. They have been very supportive and being with them is great especially for the kids who all get on so well. They have the honour of being the first visitors to share a meal in our new home.

George picking a lemon for the tree in the garden. Show off!



Two families together again for a Boxing Day meal. You can't see the lemon, but it's there hiding amongst the fish.

Beachside on Boxing Day

Boxing Day on the beach - now that can't be bad! With their friends Tuan and Yen, the kids had a fab time on Kohi beach riding the shallow waves and building sandcastles while the big kids sat about soaking up the afternoon sun. All this after a hectic morning shopping in the post Christmas sales. We haven't seen so many kiwi's gathered together in one place, it was like a scrum at the checkouts and it put the Oxford Street January sale to shame.



What can you say - sun, beach and beautiful views.



Roger looking mean and moody - more moody than mean though.



George looking every so glam and sporty.



Theo and Tuan having completed their submarine which they later enjoyed destroying.

Christmas Dinner

We had a wonderful traditional Christmas Day meal with Hanafiah and Matthew. There were thirteen around the table and we ate and drank with much laughter and merriment followed by some sleepy eyed relaxation. It was really good for us to have our first Christmas in NZ surrounded by such generous family. It was also good to meet Simon's family (before Simon & Hosannah's wedding next year), but the star of the show as always were the children Max, Yasmin and Theo - Christmas is such a special time for children.



Hassanah & George prepare the Christmas pudding for burning as Lesley looks on.




Everyone is busy opening or waiting for their Christmas present to be delivered from under the tree.




Hassanah looking particularly festive with the tree behind her.

Christmas Day - surf dudes

Santa was very busy and started his work delivering present in NZ before making his way across the rest of the world. Yasmin & Theo have been very fortunate in getting some fantastic gifts and below you can see who some of them have already been put to good use.




'Look what Santa has given us. Now we need to try them out.'




'Bring on the waves...'



Even a three inch wave can to topple the best.



'I'm getting the hang of this now.'



'Now we look like professionals. Even the grown ups admire our skill.'

Christmas Carol Singing

Christmas Eve just wouldn't be Christmas Eve without some traditional carol singing. We used to gather on Southgrove Road, but now we having to establish something new. So, we accepted an invitation from Paul and Sue to attend the children's service at the Auckland Cathedral in Parnell. It was a lovely event complete with nativity and carols. Just what we were looking for.



Here we are together in the Cathedral for carol singing.



The nativity was invaded by little helpers who were allowed to roam freely wherever they wanted, Kiwi style. There was a real baby form the play who performed without fear or tears.



At the end of our new road some of the local children decided to perform some carols for the neighbours and raise a bit of money too. It was the first chance we've had to meet some of the other families who live nearby.

Christmas Eve Playing

Playing in the park on Christmas Eve is not the kind of thing you would do in the UK. When you're on the other side of the world in the midst of an summer you have to embrace a different apporach. We too the opportunity to have a little play in the late evening sun around 7.30 pm in Newmarket park not far from home. It's just another way our experience of Christmas is so different to our lives in Sheffield.




George looking lovely swinging about in Theo's Santa hat.



What a great way to spend Christmas Eve on a roundabout in the park.



You could almost imagine this being a Christmas tree and the children being little angels fighting for top spot.



Paul and Roger get into the swing of things.

Our New House!

We've finally moved into our new house, five days before Christmas. It's a relief and a pleasure to know we don't have to move house again for a few years. We can finally unpack our boxes and surround ourselves with our things. The kids can have their toys to play with (who needs presents?), we can cook using our own utensils, we can sleep in our own bed using our own sheets, we can sit in our own chairs and look at our pictures and photos from the UK. There's still plenty to do, but at least we can focus on making this house our home.





This will be the study. Roger made it a priority to get the internet connection up and running so we could get the blog published.



Now the job of unpacking can begin. We've already started to throw out things from the UK. If we haven't needed it for the last four months, why bother now.

First visitors from the UK

Our first visitors for the UK have arrived. Clare, Martin and their children Ben and Sam touched down after a 37 hour door to door flight from Stafford to Auckland. They looked remarkably well and in very good shape considering their long haul. They are in NZ for three weeks over the Christmas period. We will be joining them in Rotorua for New Year before they return to the UK. It's lovely to see them and share our experiences over a few drinks. They are a wonderful family and great friends who always manage to make us laugh. They flew off to Nelson after a couple of nights with us and will tour the south part of the North Island before returing to Auckland on 1st Jan.

Sam flanked by the children shortly after coming out of the airport.



Clare and George in the playing fields of St. Thomas's school a few hours after arriving in Auckland. Doesn't she look well!



Clare getting instructions on how to conduct herself in a foreign country as Ben, Martin George and Sam offer advice during our trip on the Broadway in Auckland city.



Ben was very brave diving into a cold pool. It took him a few minutes to get used to it before performing several dives for the camera. Shame none of them came out very well. Never mind, it was fun watching him shiver.

Pre-School Party

It was really good that Theo was invited to his pre-school party because he was only there for about a month before starting real school. Apparently he went back 'due to popular demand' as a special request from other children. There was a bouncy castle, train rides, but Dad forgot to bring the party food so they had to share with some new friends. A very friendly crowd!



How cool is this!. Santa arrives on a Harley motorbike. He took everyone by surprise including many astonished parents who couldn't help applauding his cool new look.



The children can't believe Santa has arrived. The was so much excitement around you could almost feel it.



Each child was given a present from Santa. He looked very tired at the end of the party.

School Sports Day

Sports day at St. Thomas's school is very competitive. All children have to run in heats to see if they can make it to the sprint final on sports day itself. Theo came forth in his heat so missed the chance to run in the final. Yasmin won her heat and made her way to the final with ease. There were a number of events from long jump and discus through to the traditional sack race and sprints. It was really good to see the children doing their best and having a fun time even when they didn't win. Everyone is rewarded for their efforts, but the winners get a certificate. A great day!

Yasmin learns the correct stance for throwing the discus which is actually a frisby in this case.



Theo is ready to do his best as Miss Harrison (Yasmin's class 19 teacher) looks on.



Theo runs his heart out during the relay.



Yasmin looking very relaxed having won her sprint final. She is now the fastest six year old in the school. Congratulations and well done!!!

Camping Part 1

We went camping in Waiwera with Paul, Sue and their children Tuan and Yen. It waas our first experience of camping since school and proved a testing time with lots of rain to cope with and the usual challenge of having to put up a new tent in pouring rain as darkness falls. It was a fun and we do plan to do it all again soon - the Kiwi madness is beginning to sink in!



Roger takes a break leaving George and Paul to work out the arrangement of pole as the rain soaks through.



Somewhere over the rainbow is a campsite bathed in sunshine and we have to admit that it seemed appropraite that it was us considering the heavy rain we experienced during our first night in the tent.

Camping at Waiwera

Part 2.
We ceratinly got a lot out of camping...



Roger taking an early morning walk on an empty beach.






Here Tuan, Yaz, Yen and Theo standing ourside the hot springs.



Camping wouldn't be camping without the rain for company.



What else would you do witha cricket bat and a few stumps - form a band?





Performance was the order of the day - Yaz is joined by Yen, Mia and her little brother.




Roger and Paul get to grips with the preparation of a dried cooked breakfast - that dind't go down well at all.





The first of may accidents - Theo managed to trip with a metal pole in his hand and land in the tent.