3 lovely weeks in NZ

Well my three weeks home in Auckland are almost over. The weather has been lovley, warm and only occasional rain. Did lots of housework, cooked up a storm, made two little dresses for grand daughter, cleaned windows, gardened, and basically ensured everything was as shipshape as I could get it. Slept really well - nice to have a body in the bed with me!

Christmas was peace-full with family and friends - great to see our expectant couple and the ultrasound photos of our next grandchild, great gathering of young and old for Xmas lunch with my brothers family (Gil now has three grandchildren) and then later in the afternoon, all of Peters children in one place with many of the grandchildren ( some very grown up!). Friends dropped in on Boxing day and then a quiet few days round home.

Took a day trip to Waiheke - Peter hadn't been there for over 40 years and so much growth and it is still an incredibly beautiful island, with wonderful beaches and then a quick overnighter to Mangawhai visiting friends on the way up and back. I love the fresh sea air, the views of sandhills and people enjoying the summer - going for a walk is such a pleasure up there and spending some one on one time with my niece and nephew and their families was fun.

We had the morning with cousins from Australia who had a day in Auckland off a cruise ship - and it was really interesting to catch up with them and all the news of the extended Wallace family.

We are both very well and relaxed, Peter is following me to Australia on Sunday for two weeks and I am sure he will enjoy catching up with the grandchildren.

So off to 2010 - another year another set of adventures hopefully.