WOW!

Mum, Fleury and I had our first girl's weekend away and WOW was it heapsa fun! We headed for Wellington for the World of Wearable Arts Awards on Friday night. They were absolutely fantastic! Then we wined and dined in some of the trendy cafes around town - Armitage, Astoria, Lido, Matterhorn, Floriditas, Nikau, and wandered for miles around the shops and along the waterfront. Wellington was feeling gorgeous with the sun out and so many women in the streets for WOW. I'm definitely keen for another girl's expedition soon! xx

Mangawhai Cup

Wayne and I stopped at the Matakana Markets for some scrumptious whitebait fritters and coffee on our way north to Paddy's place a couple of Saturdays back. Paddy's shed is looking great all fitted with electricity, his bedroom and a new kitchen! After a few rounds of the "Mangawhai Cup" on his pond we headed home via the Waiwera Hot Pools for a relaxing soak.

Port Hills

Wow, our impression of Christchurch changed significantly staying with Charlotte and Simon so close to the Port Hills!

Soaking in Hanmer Springs

Wayne and I went for drive on Sunday after church at Grace Vineyard with Charls. We headed for Waipara for some wine tasting and a scrumptious cheese platter for lunch, before our much-longed-for soak at Hanmer Springs :) It was idyllic with the mountains in view!

Neroli and Craig's Wedding

Neroli and Craig had a goregous wedding day xx CONGRATULATIONS you guys! The bride looked beautiful and the groom so happy and proud. Well done! It was my privilege to read Psalm 139:1-4 at their service...

"LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; ou understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether."

Before the reception at the charming historic homestead Mona Vale, Wayne and I headed to Cathedral Square with Tracy, a special friend from language school in Japan where we both met Neroli :) We also stopped for some birthday oysters at the Crowne Plaza. Yes, Neroli and Craig were married on my birthday so I'm always going to remember their wedding anniversary! The reception was lovely. And the bridal party's arrival on a punt down the Avon River was very memorable xx

Special Friends in Christchurch

I flew down a couple of days before Neroli and Craig's wedding to spend some quality time with me dear school friend Charlotte, her darling baby daughter Olivia and her wonderful husband Simon. Wayne flew in on Friday night and we spent the weekend walking the length of Sumner, having yummy birthday pancakes, playing with the babe, watching a movie, and generally lapping up the stunning Christchurch weather and views from Mount Pleasant!

Bridal Shower

I had the pleasure of hosting Neroli's bridal shower at our place :) Wow, 17 girls in our cozy wee lounge! We had a lovely relaxing time mingling and hearing about Neroli and Craig's wedding and honeymoon plans. Neroli left with all sorts of girlie treats to pamper herself with during the final lead up to her special special day x