First Days

Woweeee!
What a wonderful time we have been having so far!

As you know Lynn arrived on Saturday from the UK, Lynn is Michael's mam. It's been two whole years since we saw her last so this trip is extra special to us all. Bethany has grown so much, we have grown also (it may be outwards but never mind!), Lynn got to meet Denver and see our first Kiwi home. It's been so amazing.

Saturday was of course a day of rest and reflection. Catching up, cuddles and just spending quality time together. Lynn even managed to stay up till 9.30pm!!

Sunday was another lovely day. Taking it easy and enjoying each others company. Early afternoon we headed over to see Rich and Stef as it was Daisy's 4th birthday. Bethany enjoyed helping Daisy open her presents!

We spent some time with them and their friends and then headed home for some extra relaxation - jet lag can be a terrible thing, we did feel for poor Lynn!

However later in in the day we did manage some walking. We headed to Birchville Dam which Michael and Bethany visited a little while back. We had such a gorgeous walk, enjoying the delights of the naturally grown forest. We even got to watch some eels in the river which delighted us all!

Monday we braved a day out and headed to Te Papa. I do forget how lucky we are at times. We get to see all of these wondrous things every day, yet for Lynn (and the many other tourists) this is a place of massive interest. To watch people flitter around with their maps in hand is just so sweet to see. Often being approached by staff asking if we need help, I always try to say as loud as I can in a proud voice 'no thank you, we live here'.

So we managed to do a wonderful tour including seeing the Colossal Squid. It was truly amazing although sad too to see such a wonderful creation of nature frozen in time for us to view. Tourist season heavily upon us meant we had to queue, something that's difficult to get used to!!

Te Papa as always meeting all expectations, the place is so big with so much to see that there is always something for everyone. We visited explored the whole of the museum stopping off for extra viewing time in the exhibitions: The Scots in New Zealand and Golden Days.

Tuesday we spent a day just chilling out. We hung around at home and Bethany got to pester Grandma even more than usual. They played together all day - Lynn will need a holiday when she goes back to the UK!!

We did venture out for a little while and took in a good stroll around the local garden centre. Later on that evening we headed over to Chris and Karolyn's house. There Lynn stepped forward and took a go at some shooting, and good she was too! Very impressive!!

Today has been another busy day. We headed to Wellington Zoo. I must say I was very impressed with all the latest developments. It's been a while since we last visited and the amazing changes were noticeable. Not only did we get to see all the beautiful animals being so cared for but we got to watch a Kiwi in its 'natural' habitat! It was just wandering round doing its own thing, we could have stood there for hours. The Zoo do an amazing job, everything has been so lovingly created for the animals to feel like they are actually in the wild.

Last night was just a fun time of chilling out near the pool in the evening sunshine.

So here we are!! The blog posts may be few and far between over the next few weeks but they are coming. You know how much I love to blog, but I love to have quality family time too, and those of you who blog will understand just how long it takes to put one post together!

Lynn is only with us for two weeks so we are making the most of it. Right now I feel like I am on holiday. Next week Michael is off work all week so he will also be able to grab some holiday spirit. Saying that though it always feel like we are on holiday - how awesome is that?!