Wow! Life is getting busier, now that the wedding is done, and Andrew and Bella are back from their honeymoon. Jerry went golfing again on Wednesday, this time as an International. It was a tournament, local versus international people. He didn't do as well as the other two times, but he said it was fun, nonetheless. The gals went into Richmond with Angela and had a coffee. Flat white is the coffee of choice. Only a small cup, quite strong and tasty, and every place has a loyalty card. Something Winnipeg should have more of.  Later, Marliese, Charlotte and I went for a walk in Isel Park, and took pictures of flowers and trees. The trees here are just so big!!!

grape hyacinths-lots of them everywhere

hydrangea-big ones

Bapa & Charlotte walking on the beach

Kaiteriteri Beach

Yesterday, we rented a car - from 'Rent a Dent', and the five of us went up the coast to Kaiteriteri, about a 1 ½ hour drive from where we are living. A very windy, twisty road, and the kiwis keep to their speed of 100 km/hour. Crazy!!! Fortunately, there are passing lanes, so the slower traffic (tourists) can let the locals pass. We went to a golden sands beach. Beautiful, with aqua coloured water. The sun is just so very hot, but the breeze helps to make it cool. Jerry and Marliese went in and swam a bit; Kristin and I enjoyed the sand and shell collecting. It was just a bit windy and noisy for Charlotte. She wasn`t so keen to be near the water, especially if she wasn`t being held. After supper, we went and hung out with the newly married couple and her mother, and had tea and some of Julie`s delicious Christmas cake.

Red snapper in the pan!

This morning Jerry and I returned the rented car. We stopped for a cappachino and a biscuit. They make their biscuits with dates. Yummy!!! I killed a mosquito today. Second one I've seen so far. The rest of the day was spent hanging around with Andrew, Bella and Angela. I went up to see Granny with Angela, and her chest infection seems to be getting better. We had stopped in at a fish market during the day, and had bought some fresh snapper and some John Dory, which we fried up for supper. Very tasty.