It’s unseasonably still winter season.  While there are breakthrough gorgeous weather days sprinkled in with the rain and wind,  we still bundle up and prepare for the elements.  On not so nice days a stroll on the walkway is a good leg stretcher.  Big set wave smack the boulders and ocean sprays add to the outdoor experience!

Kai is now a Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society volunteer.  The organisation educates about our local marine life and gives guided snorkelling tours in the summer.  His first contribution was a short video to raise awareness about fur seals resting on the rocks.  Des came upon this little guy or gal and almost stepped on it!

 

The sun peaked through on Friday for a couple of hours.  Kai agreed to pose for a few shots after school. He takes a short cut through idyllic Puke Kura Park on his way home. Nice commute. 

The waves have been either blown out or huge. Not much surfing lately but the sunsets  at Back Beach below are still magic.

Here are some photos of the main boat harbour and the jetty a few days ago.  Mt. Taranaki remains snow covered.  Jen is sporting her “Russian housewife” look– layers of jackets,  just missing a good scarf.

A mountain bike ride is usually happening around here if it’s not raining.  Des and Kai left our neighbourhood for a ride north along the coast to the town of Bell Block.  It was super windy (40-55 km/hr sustained) and they made record time on the 20km “downwinder”. 

The last two Saturdays have been fantastic.  A sunny, surfing day below.  Go Des!  

Pin Action!  We hosted a bowling/games/movie night Birthday party for Kai on Sept. 13th. Rather tame for teenagers but it was a super fun 5 hour hang out.  Co-ed social life has picked up. They have their usual hangouts, make artsy custom-painted shoes, play basketball, take boxing classes together, and roller skate on Friday nights.  He’s made a few new friends as well.  Two girls, Abi and Ella,  have their own”indie style” rock band and a track on Spotify.  Dylan (champion sweatshirt)  has lived all over- Vietnam, Fiji, Oman, and NZ -and is fast becoming a steady companion and chemistry tutor!

That’s all for now.

Tomorrow we leave for Australia for 10 days.  We can’t wait for the warm weather and hearing those Aussie accents!