A new year has seen us start redecorating again. Decided to strip the wallpaper off the hallways and prepare them for painting. We already knew about the hand-painted walls in the corridor which runs the length of the house, but the entrance hallway has revealed some beautiful art nouveau painted panels. They will have been the original wall decoration, done when the house was built in 1912.
So, now we are in a dilemma as to what to do with them. On one hand it seems a shame to cover them up, but on the other they do make the entrance hallway very dark. We have some time to make up our minds as we need to get some electrical work done first, so we're enjoying them in their natural state in the meantime.
We've just returned from a trip to the UK, during which there was a cold snap and even some snow in our village. As the cats weren't in the main part of the house while we were away, they are very, very pleased to be back on the sofa and sleeping the day away in front of the fire. Wellington and Henry have been cuddled up all day - except for when asking for food.
Meanwhile, Shadow has commandeered the pouf and isn't moving for anyone. She works on the theory that if she can't see us then we can't see her either. The tough life of our cats ...
Merv completed the 160kms Lake Taupo cycle challenge while in NZ, along with Jane's brother, Mark, and niece's husband, Jon. Plus another 8,000 or so other cyclists! Fortunately there was good weather this year, although not the hoped-for southerly wind on the eastern side returning to Taupo which made it a bit of a slog. A great ride and a good effort by all.
We did a number of great walks while in NZ too. In Wellington we made the most of the Tinakori Hill walks right at Jane's mum's doorstep. We also went up Mt Kaukau, the highest point overlooking Wellington harbour giving magnificant views over Wellington, the Hutt Valley and the coast.
While in Napier we went with friends on a great coastal walk from Waipatiki Beach to Aropaoanui Beach. We ended the walk with a sea swim (not that cold - truly) and a picnic. Perfect.
Further north while waiting for a cracked car windscreen to be replaced in Whakatane, we did two really lovely walks between Ohope Beach and Whakatane. Lots of tui's singing, fantails flittering and the start of the pohutukawa flowering.
We're now back from our 5 week trip to NZ and Hong Kong. We had a fantastic time catching up with family and friends. Blessed with very good weather too, so spent a lot of time enjoying the outdoors at some great beaches, sitting at wonderful cafe's (NZ does cafe's particularly well) and generally having a terrific time.
We were on a mission to find New Chums Beach in the Coromandel. It is rated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, but you have to walk to it as it isn't developed at all (part of the charm). We missed the path to it and ended up wandering all over the place for about an hour before hitting upon this gorgeous beach which we had all to ourselves. Then found the path back which, of course, was really obvious!
