Thursday to Sunday the children slept here with us and during the day we met up with Rob and Julie and went to different beaches. So many beaches around here and most of them are child friendly. Both Danni and Jonny are confidant in the water and have taken to snorkeling like the proverbial ducks to water. On Monday we left for 5 days camping at Mangawhai forest reserve about 40kms north of here.It was quite some exercise packing up the 2 cars with us and all our belongings but we made it and got to camp late morning.The camp is very basic but has hot showers, toilets and a cookhouse. A real Kiwi, off the beaten track place, idyllic. We, N and I were honoured to have the big tent in which we could stand up which was great and Jonny and Danni had their own tent as did Rob and Julie. Jill, our "landlady" lent us a comfortable blow up mattress so we were very comfortable. Rob did a very good BBQ in the evening, steak, sausage and bacon and Julie provided the salad and once the children were in bed we sat around with a glass of wine and enjoyed the sunset.Jill came over Monday to Wednesday with her daughter and 2 of her friends so we were quite a crowd The next few days followed a similar pattern, beach, lake, BBQ in the evening. On Wednesday Rob and Julie had to work so I was left in charge and took the children to lake Tomarata which was very safe and where they spent a lot of time snorkelling whilst I was able to go in the deeper area and have a swim. On Thursday Danni and I went to Pakhiri beach and had a 2 hour horse ride along the beach and across the dunes. It was a 40 minute drive there along gravel roads and we hardly saw any other cars, I felt like a real Kiwi! We made the most of Friday, our last day, by going to the beach and taking a picnic. Rob gave Danni a lesson in boogie boarding and she soon got the hang of it and was thrilled. Jonny had a go at it too in shallower water, it won't be long before he gets the hang of it as well. Back to camp to pack up and come "home" after an amazing camping holiday. Rob is back at work now so I am in sole charge for the next few days. We are having a quiet weekend as there are still lots of holiday makers about. It is much quieter on the beaches during the week so we shall have beach days again from Monday onwards. I seem to have done many miles of driving on gravelled NZ roads, quite an experience compared to tarmac! Everyone that we have met has been so friendly. Tonight we were invited over to Jill, our landlady next door, and spent a very pleasant couple of hours sitting on her deck, overlooking the bush, with a glass or 2 of Sauvignon blanc and some nibbles. Not a bad way to spend the evening!As you can tell I am thoroughly enjoying my time in NZ with my gorgeous grandchildren who of course can be a bit naughty at times but they are so good most of the time. So strange being able to be a granny after not seeing them for 5 years. Every day is a memory that I shall cherish for ever. Off now to give them the hard word and tell them to jump into bed and go to sleep, a privilege indeed.
Next day. Another at home day although we did pop into Matakana this morning to pick up some provisions. Matakan is the centre of wine growing in this area and a very popular little village with some nice shops and cafes. Jodie, the childrens mother rang this evening and she is going to come and pick up the children on Tuesday and take them back home for a few days. Much as I love being with them it is quite exhausting and it will be nice to have a few days "off" and for Nigel and I to have some time on our own and to explore the area together.
Chapter 3. Well, on Monday the children were watching tv in the morning and I thought it best to let "viewing children lie"! They have barely watched any tv since they came so I didn't feel too guilty. Rob was going to come over after work and spend the night here before taking them back to Auckland to save Jodie having to drive up here. So after lunch I said that we would go into Matakana and get something for the evening meal and then go to the beach. After we had shopped I was getting back in the car when the door slammed on my finger, ouch and double ouch. Part of the knuckle was scraped off and bleeding profusely and the nail was black and bleeding. Not knowing of any local emergency departments I wrapped it up and drove back here for Nigel to dress it as best he could. I took a paracetamol and lay down to recover and of course no trip to the beach. Rob rang to say that plans had changed and that he wouldn't be coming over until 7.30 next morning to pick up the children. Danni got in a strop as I wouldn't let her watch a tv programme which was billed as having scenes of violence and refused to eat her meal. I banished her from the table as she was sitting scowling at us all! Sometimes grannies have to put their foot down!! We packed up their things ready for an early start the next morning. I waved them goodbye when Rob came, mixed feelings, a joy to have them but I do now feel that we need a bit of time to ourselves and to recharge our batteries! We went into the doc's in Matakana to get my finger dressed by the nurse, feel much happier now that I have had some medical attention, there is a chance that it can become infected but so far so good. Then N and I went to look around Warkworth, have lunch and do some shopping. On the way back we called at Matakana again to pick up tourist brochures and check out the cinema to see what is showing. Matakana, unusually for such a small town, has a brand new 3 cinema complex which is the talk of the area. We shall go there later in the week. Tuesday night was very wet and windy due to the remnants of a tropical cyclone, quite nice to have some cooler weather at last as it has been very humid.Today, Wednesday I had to go and have the finger dressed again and was told that it was healing very well, just have to go back for a final check up on Friday.
No comments:
Post a Comment