Another year has zipped past and we are still here in New Zealand and still loving it – the lifestyle suits us very well and if we are a little greyer and a little pudgier, so what!  Stephen is still enjoying school and even though he makes the big 60 in January, he thinks he will do another couple of years teaching before retiring and joining me as a regular at the golf club. 

Middle of the year we took a short break to sample some golf courses a bit further down the island. We visited this sculpture park at Matakana on the way.

The park is in a lovely setting – here are the ever-present flaxes in flower.

A flat white, a glass of Sav and a peaceful view – what more could you want?

Yes -that’s right – some proper facilities!

I don’t know much about art but I know what I like…..

I used to have one of these on my pram…..

We treated ourselves to a posh hotel

YouTube DirektGolf at Whangaroa

Play some mediocre golf…..

And avail ourselves of the posh hotel’s spa bath.

afterwards, watching the sun go down.

As a golf club committee member everything is very hands on – our Lady Captain’s son recently had his wedding at the Golf Club and the Committee did the food!  It’s a long time since I worked so hard.  This is the outer marquee which held the disco in the evening.  Dave, the groundsman, whose pin positions are lethal, tests the reception (on his phone).

The room look beautiful – those are some of my trophies in the cabinet!

Emma, the bride…. they ceremony was held on hole 13!

…..rearranging her flowers.

Our garden this year is the best we have ever seen it – here it is in springtime mode just before bursting into glorious flower.

And during the last break we take the opportunity to paint the outside of the house.  This brings Stephen’s climbing skills to bear when he ties himself on to the top of the roof to paint the gable end.  House now looking spic and span with only one dropped pot of paint.

Never at a loss for a job, Stephen now puts in a new drain from the pond to the stream, the old drain having clogged up with willow tree roots.  The new knee copes well throughout.

That’s his best t-shirt!  From Menorca!  Send another one Carol!

No these, aren’t willow roots, but they are seen on the garden safari.

See, in New Zealand, everything is like the 1950s… including the bikes.

David and Di looking relaxed in one of the gardens.

They are back from England and bring the sunshine with them.

Yes, Men in Black and Tarzan!

Oh, How Happy Hi Ham to be Here!

Some bad news when a sperm whale washes up in Coopers Beach.

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Sadly it dies and the local Maoris gave it a Haka before taking it off the the Marae to bury it.  There were reports of cooking smells…..

Mary’s birthday and we check out Carrington Golf Club where it is possible to lose all your balls – does Stephen look a bit like Luke Donald?

Interesting shot by David.

This bunker was deeper than it looked.

 

A passing Yorkshireman kindly takes our photo.

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Christmas dawns and silly season starts – here the 3-putt club has it’s Christmas do at the driving range.  Christine wears shoes ideally suited to golf  (not).

And just because it’s Christmas – here is a picture of our car taken in July when we had a series of frosts.

We hope you all have a great Christmas and get everything you want in the New Year – we miss all our friends in England a great deal and send our love to you all.