HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Happy Belated Christmas :)

Arohanui from the Okaritoites!

.....just a few images from the day!

..a walk over the "just opened" Trig track!

one of my Mum's fantastic plates!

Christmas Panaforte...mmmmm

...cherries from Central Otago and another of mum's beautiful plates!

Hope the sun starts shining soon!

...its been a magical and memorable year in many, many ways!

Thank you to everyone for all your smiles and company:)

see you in the New Year!

Ka kite ano.

Let the Birthday Begin!!!!.....

What an amazing day to go South!

you could almost see the seal colony at Knights Point!

....and then the birthday celebrations began?...why does most of our photos show us eating???....it was one of those sort of "in the big smoke" celebrations so must go out for brekkie Yum,yum!

Breakfast or should that be...brunch!! at Vudu Cafe Qtn! the boys tucking in to a SMALL feast!

and then....there was cake at M and R's!!!

(talk about spoilt!)

a few iconic Central Hollyhocks at Nana's! 

Well hope you are all well:)

sorry about being a bit slack on the post front!

almost forgot to wish all my lovelies a...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!

talk soon

arohanui x

Summer in Okarito......before the rains hit!!!

Our backyard looking very summery! and another visit from the ducks!

this is not a Christmas present!!!!??? from a gorgeous friend who has just returned from Melbourne and couldn't go past without a wee something.... for ME! THANK YOU :)

the unwrapping was hard because it just looked soooooooo beautiful!.....

can you hear the squeals of delight????

I am loving these!

We had a great and very warm time down in Central Otago!

now we are home it hasn't stopped raining so it was fantastic to have a wee break!:)

must dash

will post some holiday pics soon

Arohanui x

A few things in our garden!

Hi there, hope you are all having a good week!

not the best image but I have another lot of flowering native iris's going mad at the moment!

Yay:) the zucchini's are starting to flower and we have had a few wee nibbles!yum yum!

It is a bit hard to see but there is actually a baby bird in the nest!!!i think it is going to grow up thinking the world is crooked! its crazy parents built this nest in our wood storage and somehow it is on the weirdest angle! I didn't want to get too close and scare it.

...baby Nashi pears!  yum :)

I had to take a photo of my enormous crop of Blueberries!...yes this IS it! better luck next year?

... but my Kaffir lime is flowering and has lots of new yummy leaves mmmmm!

well must dash hope you have a fun filled week!

we have a wee trip to central planned for M's B.day!

I will return with some photos next week:)

Arohanui x

Table tops, raindrops, books and the odd duck!

we have a very kind friend,(who we now owe heaps of coffees!!), who came and sanded our table. Now it looks great!

we haven't had much rain at all lately! so the other morning when there was a heavy sea fog I tried capturing these wee drops!

M and I headed to school tournament the other week! it was a great day! I also finally managed to make it to the 2nd hand shop for the first time! (it only opens on a thursday!!!)

I found these great books and some pretty teacups!(which I have forgotten to take images of...next time!).

I love the sketches!

and we have a family of Paradise Shelducks who have taken to making themselves right at home at work and under our clothes line.

can you spot the male on guard duty?

Hebe's in flower all around work and home.

Sorry have been very slack on the blog front lately!... work is just starting to kick into our summer season so no complaints!!

will try to be a wee bit more reliable over the next few weeks:)

hope you are enjoying the sunshine!

have a grand week!

Arohanui x

In Memory of 29.

Last thursday we were unable to head north to the memorial service in Greymouth but we did say our own wee words of Aroha and lit 29 candles.

It is with a heavy heart we write this post, the sun is shining but it is a dark day for the so many affected in the Pike River mine Tragedy.

Okarito Nature Tours would like to send all our Sympathy and Arohanui to those involved.

Kia kaha for the days ahead!

At last!... a walk on the beach.

After a busyish weekend it was time for a bit of escapism...but our thoughts kept going to the agony the families and friends of the trapped miners at Pike River must be going thru. Our thoughts are with them... Kia Kaha! 

a Banded Dotterel parent trying to tell us "follow me! my babies are this way! Really!!!"

The Harakeke around the village and lagoon is amazing this year!

Take care and fingers crossed for the miners and their families.

Arohanui xx

Ooops!

oooops I almost forgot The lovely Julia has posted about our wee blog on her Friday roaming!!!
I am still reeling with excitement it is such an honour to be mentioned!(I think it is the first time for me on a real blog! what a geek I am becoming.. OK so some of you who know me already had their suspicions!!)
... her blog showcases some amazing NZ and Aussie talent.
well enough ranting!
have a lovely weekend and PLEASE drive safe LOOK out for cyclists!!
Arohanui x

Inspiring Read!

Have just about finished Greg Mortenson's 2nd book Stones into Schools (he also wrote Three cups of Tea).
They are both amazing reads and should be on everyones must read list!
Sorry I don't have a image but here is his link
http://www.stonesintoschools.com/

sorry not to have posted lately..things have caught up with me and have been in bed for the last few days trying to fight a nasty flu/head cold thing!!! luckily I have 2 gorgeous boys to look after me xx
am getting better now
have a great week
Arohanui x
P.S Happy Birthday Chilli Girl!:)

Flowers, visitors and fun on Okarito Lagoon!

Yay! my little native iris is flowering!

...and these guys are also!

these are our navigation aids for kayaking on the lagoon...manuka poles! we have to check them and replace...sometimes people hang on to them and they snap!

M having fun! the poles mark the left hand side of the channel!!

Be careful! :)

almost home!

... I know this is a terrible image but ....he/she KEPT moving!!..

it is the rear end of a small migrant visiting our garden the other night!

a Shining Cuckoo

and last but not least!! ...these gorgeous (not native) iris have been flowering in my garden as well!!!

now I just have to start getting my vege garden under control!

take care x

Arohanui x