Labour Weekend

Well, Labour Weekend has been and gone; here are a few photos of the weekend. We were lucky enough to have a few days of 'summer'while we were there - ever since then we have been rugged up as though it is still winter (and it has been as cold as if it were!!!).

We took the kayaks for a paddle on the tailrace. Note that we now have our own fleet (of 3).

We paddled the entire way from the marina to the bridge (and back).

It wasn't all hard work - we stopped for a few 'breathers' and just enjoyed the surroundings. There were ducks and swans with babies, and there were horses too.

Karen was the novice, but she looks the part...!

Murray and I took a trip to Taumarunui to suss things out. Here's our starting point when we eventually take to the river.

Here's our 'fleet', fitting neatly on the trailer.

And then, away from the kayaking, there were glorious other sights. Roll on the next visit!!!

My Camera Does Tricks...

Along with a new camera comes the fun of trying it out to see what you can do with it. Here's a selection of my better attempts - some intentional; some purely accidental.... but all good fun!

By this time I'd figured out how to make collages - and that's a whole new ballgame, as you can see!

Potpourri of Photos

Here it is 9 October; Karen arrived home two days ago and this is her homecoming photo. She is home for a couple of months and we are looking forward to sharing it with her...

Following are a few of my favourite photos - I've been wandering about town a bit, taking photos of everyday things on my new camera:

1&2, The Square at night.

3&4, Phoenix and Nikau palms in the Esplanade.

5&6, Otaki Railway Station and Kapiti Island from Paraparaumu Beach.

7, 8 & 9, In and around The Square, PN.

And last but not least, some shots from Turangi, taken at the end of September:

10, our newly paved area in the back yard; 11, distant trees across the paddocks, late afternoon; 12; a wood pigeon in a cherry tree; 13, Major Jones footbridge; 14, mountain mirrored in the tranquil river.

Back in PN, I photographed Caccia Birch House
(15), The Grand Hotel & All Saints Church (16), and (17) cherry blossom in the Esplanade.

Last but not least - here's a photo of Nui enjoying the blossom and other blooms in the Esplanade with Murray.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS

So... off to Turangi for Queen's Birthday Weekend. We left home on Saturday afternoon and stopped off at a handy park in Hunterville to boil the kettle for a cup of coffee and have a bite of lunch. The autumn leaves were beautiful - and the lunch and coffee were pretty delicious too!!!



On arrival in Turangi we discovered that our ''herb'' garden was thriving - and this achieved without any human intervention whatsoever. Hurrah! Lettuce and parsley on tap from now on...

The weather was glorious, apart from a very, very cold wind coming straight off the mountain (all weekend). We had brought a trailer load of sand up, and had no choice but to get out in the wind and prepare a place to put it. So on Sunday morning we levered ourselves out of our armchairs and forced ourselves out into the weather. It took a fair bit of effort and we shared the digging, but we were pleased with the eventual result!

We're still considering our options about paving it. Watch this space!

The following morning we went for a walk along the river. Colourful, crisp and chilly are the words that best describe it. Mostly crisp and chilly!

Yours Truly posing by a convenient gate:

On our way home, we stopped off and picked up a treadmill which M bought off the web. Once we'd got it home, it was time for a wee try. The good news is that it works, and works well, and so far at least, is definitely not a ''Lemon". Watch this space for further good news in that department...!

We had a drink or two for Liz, toasted her good health and wished her a very happy birthday. After all, isn't that the point of the weekend? We certainly enjoyed the day off she organised for us, and are looking forward to the next one.

BIRTHDAY GIRL

Here she is... the newest birthday girl on the block!!! 86 today, and looking flash with newly coiffed hair and matching blue ensemble! The celebrations on the day were fairly low key, but by the time this photo was taken, there were several bunches of flowers, a number of cards, chocolates and a tray of fruit to keep her happy. Earlier in the day there was a birthday cake with 2 candles and a spirited rendition of HAPPY BIRTHDAY from the fellow residents to mark the occasion. Big thanks to you all for your presents and good wishes.

Wedding Day

The Wedding was held on the top of the little grass rise beyond the white building on the beach, and the reception was held at Oskars on the upper floor of that building.
















As you can see, the setting was magic.



The bridesmaids and the groomsmen all looked great. Unfortunately the wind came up a little during the ceremony.

The bride arrived on time, looking fabulous.

The ceremony was short and sweet...

...followed by congratulations all round.

We all adjourned without delay to Oskars, there to eat, drink and be merry for the remainder of the evening.