Look at this

The Desert Road yesterday.
1/2 a metre of snow fell roll on Whakapapa

The ski season will be awesome

Our Harbour

Tauranga Harbour on a still morning

The Extended Family

Top-Nana with all the grandchildren plus one great grand daughter
Bottom -Family get to gether

The Dawson Grandies

Nana after walking around the Mount

Knocking on 80 she can still keep up with the younger generation

The Mount Beach

Les and Mike on a great day after walking around the Moount

The next generation of kayakers

The great nieces starting young

All in a days work

Kawau island

Les at the old coppermine smelter Kawau Island. He didn't quite see the do not climb the ruins!! Built in the 1800's the remains of the chimney are still very obvious from both land and sea. The old workings are riddled with copper crystals and a bright blue hue hangs over the walls.

In the big smoke

After dropping off Abby, Les and I headed to a friend's apartment in Auckland for some R&R and a glass of vino ending out at a great food court serving sizzling asian food.The next day we headed to Mansion House ( just in the background), Kawau Island a small island in the Hauraki Gulf. The weather was wonderful and we loved the flora and fauna just a bit different from the mainland. The resident wallabies turned out in force along the tracks keeping a watchful eye on us. We spent the day walking just about all the tracks on the DOC map, viewing Mansion House before heading back to Auckland central late afternoon.

Abby leaves for Europe

The Junior team left for Europe on Friday highly excited and have now arrived safely in Germany!!

Abby is all grins as she heads towards departures at Auckland Airport

Mountain Biking down the South island

On the coast out from Christchurch James and Les needing a little breather

James Graduates

James completed his B.Sc degree 2005 and we all ( including Nana and friends) celebrated his graduation in Dunedin. An awesome weekend of socialising and just hanging out. Dunedin turned on the best weekend, sunshine, warmth and great pubbing.

The Epic Journey of Daughter and Friends

Friday night- when an hour long trip turned into a three hour nightmare. NZ gravel once again took its toll with a 180 degree spin on back country roads, careering down a half metre bank in slow motion to come to a standstill precariously perched on a lean with flat tyre and night fast approaching. All occupants dazed but fine. A quick text to the south island buddy for tyre changing assistance . Tyre promptly changed with some skill. But no the axle was stuffed, mobile phones in motion the car written off and parents to the rescue. Alls well that's ends well.

The Kids

Mike's already in Europe,Abs leaves next Friday and James as soon as exams finish mid June. Parents are still in NZ working hanging out for that European summer

Almost Leaving

Hi everyone soon - only 42 more sleeps and Les and I head to Europe to catch up with Mike, James and Abby and have a holiday in Croatia.