Okay, it’s me again…

Des and Kai will post again they assure me.  However, since I take endless photos of nearly everything we see and do, the need to share is overpowering.  But I don’t think you’ll mind  because, even taken on my older iPhone,  the scenes are beautiful. 

Big deal for me;  I climbed to the top of Paritutu Rock,  for the first time. The volcanic rock formation is an instantly-recognised feature in New Plymouth and visible for many miles along the coastline.  The views are breathtaking and it’s right in town, next to the port. The only issue is you have to get yourself up there.  For various reasons I had yet to ascend.  On a recent, perfect weather day I decided it was time.  The steep, well-traveled path of wooden and dirt steps becomes rocky and steeper as you go. These “steps” take you pretty much straight up; not much zip-zagging.  Just as the exposure became unnerving, a bolted chain railing appeared and I didn’t let go until the summit.

Des guided me up AND down.  He was my rock.  Thanks for helmet GoPro footage, too!

 

 

 

The weekends are opportunities for MORE family time.  Kai can be reluctant to engage in such “pedestrian” bike rides.  But the coast trail on a cool Sunday morning cures many ails and teenage angst.

 

Here’s a short clip from the bike trails at Lake Mangamahoe.  Now that it’s warming up and drying up, we all plan on biking more at the nearby park.

 

And lastly, a couple of photos that bring us back to reality- We’re never too far from Texas.   Rednecks (see  “R3DNEK” license plate ) , red trucks, and Donavon Frankenreiter  pass through here too!

 

And, I probably do take too many photos on my iPhone….