Biking with friends

Last weekend we took to the tracks near Waihi to cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail. Some people would think coordinating six adults, eight kids and 14 bikes was a recipe for disaster, but we would prove them wrong.

This was, in fact, our third attempt to do the trip. The first time around I broke my arm so that put an end to our plans. The second time cyclone Lusi was looming and we took heed of the severe weather warnings. Really, we decided it would not be a good look if we lot stuck in the storm and needed rescuing with all those kids and ended up on the six o'clock news for all the wrong reasons!

Finally, on our third attempt, we finally got there. The weather could not have been more perfect. The kids were all brilliant considering there was little (or no) preparation.

With the first leg completed we decided we had earned a coffee so took a break at Waikino train station. The kids also scored an ice cream.

The final part of our ride took us through the old goldfields train tunnel. It was about 1km in length and quite dark inside making it difficult to see oncoming cyclists and pedestrians who didn't have lights and/or reflectors.

We got through to the other side, re-grouped, then turned around and came back again.

Mission accomplished!

We back tracked to the halfway point for lunch, encouraging tired, hungry kids along the way. Pizza and a beer!

Some people were happy to take the train from Waikino back to Waihi while others cycled the last leg. Of course the race was on to see who would win. Needless to say, it wasn't me. Those last couple of hills really slowed me down but I hear it was pretty close at the finish line.

Back at the log cabin. There wasn't much room left in the hot tub.

Aunty Jordy Visits

Wow, time really has slipped by. This month we had a visit from Aunty Jordy which was a very nice distraction. With blue skies above, we took to the slopes of Mt Ruapehu for the first time this year. We have a pretty good history when it comes to weather conditions when skiing. One day we got turned away mid-way our drive up but that was due to over-capacity on the mountain - seriously though, who wants to be there then?

OK, so this is simply a snap-fest which will hopefully capture the moment. 

I captured this early morning shot from the car park on our last day up the mountain. It was so beautiful.

Ruby and Ava decided to get some cheap thrills sledding.

My new Samsung Galaxy takes awesome photos and is great for posting straight to Facebook and Instagram but what should be a simple procedure to import photos to my iMac is, well, not so simple, so you miss out on some awesome pics.

We completed the 'winter wonderland' theme with some ice skating in Aotea Square.

Finished off with a visit to Kiwiyo.

It was really nice having you visit us Aunty Jordy. I hope our mad household didn't freak you out too much. Come again soon. m, xox

Day of the Dead

Today Ruby took part in the Spookers Run for Your Freakin' Life race. Honestly, I didn't really know how revolting it would be, and I'm not talking about the zombies. Mud, mud, mud. Some kids pulled out before it began. Some kids cried and screamed the whole way through. But Ruby's not a screamer or a cry baby; she just wanted to get to the end without losing all of her four tags which was the aim.

Luckily there was a big fire hose and water slide at the end to wash some of the gunk off. 

She had a blast and finished a happy but cold and tired. She is now sleeping peacefully. Eadie has said that she wants to do it next year – Yyaaay!

Day 1: We hit the slopes

We recently spent a few days at Turoa on Mt Ruapehu [rua (two) and pehu (to explode or make a loud noise)]. Funnily enough there was a 5.7 magnitude earthquake at nearby Turangi whilst we on the mountain – we didn't feel a thing. 

I think the pics say it all.

What is the CODE?

Well, it's a completely awesome (is that Kiwi enough for you?) sports show on Maori TV. Those who know me, know that, although I pretend, I am not particularly sporty. I don't like to watch it on TV either but I still find CODE thoroughly entertaining. It's anchored by ex-Silver Fern, Jenny-May Coffin and is backed up by ex-All Black, Glen Osborne (Oz) and other ex- and current sportsfolk.

Lots of fun combined with their unique interviewing style makes for an entertaining hour – choice Bro! Last night we got to see what goes on behind the scenes when we were part of the live studio audience. It started at 8.30pm so some children were a bit tired (and a bit annoying) but other than that, it was great. The current episode wasn't on the web at the time of writing this post but you can check back here later (episode 9, 28 June). Two of last nights guests were WBO Heavyweight Champion, Monte "Two Gunz" Barratt and NZ Olympic-bound mountain biker and mother of two, Karen Hanlen (very admirable woman). After the show we got to meet some of the hosts and guests.

Here's Steve with Monte "Two Gunz" Barratt.

Me and the girls with Oz.

Me and the girls with JMay.

It's been a while...

Hi folks,

I don't really have an excuse for the spartant posting an. Things have been chugging along at their usual pace. We have had a couple of birthdays in our household this month: Eadie has finally clicked over to double digits hitting the big one-zero; as for Steve, he'd rather not talk about it. That's it on the birthday front for a while now.

The netball season got off to a very wet start and has continued that way. I think we've had one clear game night – the rest have been completely hideous. I think netball should be a summer sport in NZ. We are almost at the end of another school term which marks the halfway mark for the year which is kinda scarey. Over the holidays we will head up to Ruakaka for a few days, then squeeze in a couple of days back in Auckland before hitting the slopes on Ruapehu.

I've enrolled in a beginners upholstery course which begins next term. I've been wanting to do this for-EVER! I'm really looking forward to learning so new skills so that I can breath some new life into some of my fave pieces.

Steve and I are experimenting with a low-carb diet. I thought this would be really, really hard but it's not. It's surprising how full you feel when you eat a lot of protein (we go through a lot of eggs). So we're eating less and feeling fuller. It's been two weeks with no real signs of weight loss but some of us are feeling less bloated.

Photos:
1. The birthday girl.
2. The birthday boy. (There really weren't enough candles on that cake!)
3. Birthday card Eadie made for Steve. (Very cute.)
4. New wardrobe staple purchased especially for netball spectating.

5. Eggs! We need to get some more chickens.