Back from holiday

We have had a wonderful summer holiday. The weather has been been the hottest that anyone can remember for the time of year and we were lucky to have both our children home for Christmas.  We spent a few days in the north of the North island, exploring, with my extended family, parents and brothers, aunts  and cousins, the area where my mothers ancestors had first arrived in NZ and lived. While up there we had a great day trip out to the marine reserve at the Poor Knights islands to do some snorkeling. After Christmas we spent some time with G's family at the beach in the Bay of Plenty, again with almost perfect weather and lots of barbeques and swimming. For me there were lots of walks along the beach and up the Bowentown hill and a trip over the hills to Homunga Bay with my daughter. It was a bit of a shock to go back to work again but I have now been back for a week and the last child was deposited at the airport last night. Time to start planning again !