Happy New Year

Well, we are now in 2007 - and we got there 13 hours before you guys in blighty :) That means we got rid of our hang overs before you too _ hurray...

We have now had our second Christmas in Godzone and what a busy one it was. Our Helen arrived on Christmas day looking very pale! We soon livened her up with a bar-b-q for 30 people on Boxing Day. Will post a photo. New Years eve was celebrated in true Scots style at our friends house, lots of booze and Scottish dancing (thats about all i remember from that night and no photos as evidence)

The school holidays are going fast - all 7 weeks of them. Freya and I have been busy baking bread and we've spent a few days at the local pool and on bike rides. The weather is up and down. February is going to be the best month so we are looking forward to that. We have a camping trip planned for this weekend so watch out for some photos.

Happy New Year

Well, we are now in 2007 - and we got there 13 hours before you guys in blighty :) That means we got rid of our hang overs before you too _ hurray...

We have now had our second Christmas in Godzone and what a busy one it was. Our Helen arrived on Christmas day looking very pale! We soon livened her up with a bar-b-q for 30 people on Boxing Day. Will post a photo. New Years eve was celebrated in true Scots style at our friends house, lots of booze and Scottish dancing (thats about all i remember from that night and no photos as evidence)

The school holidays are going fast - all 7 weeks of them. Freya and I have been busy baking bread and we've spent a few days at the local pool and on bike rides. The weather is up and down. February is going to be the best month so we are looking forward to that. We have a camping trip planned for this weekend so watch out for some photos.

freyas new bike from santa

 

on the piste for my birthday

 

Animal magic

 

Well, its now officially Spring and the worst of Winter seems to be over.
Im really looking forward to this Summer and we are determined to get out and about as much as we can - hopefully the camping weekends will be more regular than last Summer. We camped 3 times last year, mainly we were busy with getting the house sorted.

We have had a new addition to out family - a Jack Russell puppy we have named her Freckle. So life is busy at the moment.

Freya has started school and she loves it. Ive started working at out local shop which is a 3 minute walk from out house. I work 3 morning, 9.30 till 1pm, I really enjoy it, its nice chatting to people and getting to know some new faces.

For my Birthday a group of us (19 in total) went to Mt Lyford to ski. The kids were amazing, Chris spent alot of time on his bum and I just stood as still as possible :0 We had a great weekend, stayed in a log cabin (see photo)

june update

Hiya, well as you can see its winter here and its arrived with a bang.
We had 10 inches of snow overnight on Sunday 11th June. Oxford school closed for 3 days and many people lost power. Infact, some people are still without power 10 days later. We managed to stay nice and warm with our open fire and little coal range, people with electric heating were not so lucky.

We are all fine and well despite the cold. The kids are really into their sports now. Freya plays soccer for the Oxford Midget team and Ethan is in the Oxford rugby team. The photo was taken at his first night match and he got player of the day and we were so proud of him.

Chris is still enjoying work, he has got another pay rise so that put a smile on his face :)

I am enjoying life, Freya starts school at the end of next month so I am wondering about what I will do then. Ive joined a reading group and I just love it. Its great getting together with other book worms and we always have a good natter about everything/anything.

rugby boys

 

shes football crazy, shes football mad...

 

our house

 

view from our kitchen window

 

our house...in the middle of our street...

 

Ethan takes a dip in Coopers Creek

This is Coopers Creek. Its about a 10 minuted drive from home. We head out here when the temperature soars and take a dip...

slimey friend for freya

 

little monkeys

 

Spencer Park in Christchurch

 

school run

 

latest news from kiwiland

Hi Guys. Thought Id post a quick update.

Well, summer is supposed to be at an end now. The Oxford pool closed a week ago and the trees are turning red/gold. The weather is still lovely though, there has been some rain but the skies are still blue and the men are still in shorts :) I am sure some kiwi blokes wear shorts all year round though.

The kids are thriving. Freya has her dancing class, which she loves - and she has registered for the Oxford soccer team but hasnt played as yet. Ethan is busy with his friends from school. We usually have a little guest after school most days. Its great because I am geting to meet the kiwi mums at last. Ive got loads of Brit friends but not too many kiwis.

Ive started Tai Chi and Pilates classes both of which I really enjoy.

Chris is doing well at work. He has passed a test in order to become an assessor for the apprentices. He really enjoys teaching the younger lads.
He is toying with the idea of building a jet boat. A friend of ours has the templates and it looks like it will be a winter project for them both. Will keep you posted on that.

We are looking forward to our next visitor. Chris' friend Rodger is arriving in 4 weeks time. We have organised some golf clubs for his arrival.

The bar-b-q season is coming to an end now but there is still plenty to do at the weekend. Last weekend our friend had a party to celebrate their first year here. This weekend we all went swimming and to a local school fair and next weekend we are going to watch a Triathlon. Our friends children are taking part in it and we will be there to cheer them on.

Looking back at the photos we took over the summer I realize just how busy we have been. There have been loads of trips to the pool and the beach as well as finding a local water-hole. The bar-b-q was working on overtime and the kids have had a ball. The stress of the UK is well and truly behing us now - the pace of life here is much more relaxed.

Winter will bring new things to do too. We plan to go to a ski resort for my 40th birthday in August - so I am busy arranging that. Hopefully there will be a big group of us going.

Oxford is beautiful in the Winter - as we are so close to the southern alps, the backdrop of snow covered mountains is spectacular. Will be posting some photos when we get our first real dump of snow.

Time to order the wood and coal it think.......

Helen and friend

 

sisters on top of the world

 

cooking christmas dinner kiwi style

 

Santa has been !

 

our first christmas in Godzone

Alot has happened since my last post. We have had two visits from family in the UK, we have moved house, Ethan has been seriously ill, and we had our first kiwi christmas.

We have moved to Oxford, which is at the foothills of the Southern Alps.
Its a really peaceful place and we love it. Chris has a 45-50 minute commute but its a really nice scenic drive.

Shortly after moving Ethans appendix burst. It was a really frightening experience for us all. The health care he received was excellent. He is now fully recovered and back to his normal, energetic self.

Chris' cousin Roddy and his wife, Sheenagh visited in November. They are hoping to move our here permanently. They really loved the South Island - will let you know how they get on with their plans to move here.

My sister Helen has just had 10 days over here. We all really enjoyed her visit and alot of tears were shed when she left. During her time here we went horseriding, and had a trip to Akaroa to see the Hectors Dolphins.
The rest of the time was spent in/around where we live. There are some beautiful walks and rivers near Oxford.

The most exciting thing to happen in Oxford fro the last 10 years is the opening of the pool. We love having an open air pool 5 mins from our house - Iam sure we will be regulars there.

mid winter in New Zealand