Last Days on the North Island

Well, we're heading south for the winter. No, really. We're heading south INTO winter. We've got our touques and gloves and longjohns and we're set! Before we go, though, please enjoy some sunshiney pictures of our last few days on the north island...(sob sniffle)...WWaaahhh!!!

At Muriwai Beach these rocks have been carved out by the ocean. A blowhole formed and splashes water with every surge. Amazing!

I'm no Moses, but what I CAN do is throw my arms up at the same time that water splashes. Impressed?

Who blew a bubble around the sun? And how?

I'm glad I didn't have to pick that one! I got to climb inside of it, though!

Last days at our home on Tay Street. Shane's playing with me today because there is no surf.

No, no, no, Shane! Just the WATER falls down Whangarei Falls!

From sunrise to sunset (no exaggeration) this is what we saw! And they're too hard to eat still!

Sunrise at Tay Street, one last time...

Promised Pictures

Happy Birthday to me...with hathead...and yummy cake...
Why am I wearing a touque and puffy vest in May? So wrong!
He's not just a cute electrician! Shane is getting good at capturing moments! What a shot!
Speak of the devil...
Shane just finished surfing and showering OUTSIDE at The Mount...crazy man!
With the artificial reef in sight, Shane won't even stop for a picture!
I know a few guys at home who would love to get a piece of this action!
I thought I could get back to shore between waves...keep laughing, Shane!
I can't pretend not to love staying at The Mount...skies like this are in abundance!

Who's Having a Birthday?

I know, I know, I know!!! I'm no good at keeping blogs up to date. So sorry. Since the end of April, though, not much has happened. We have been picking kiwifruit (not kiwis because the people call themselves kiwis and look at you funny when you say you're picking kiws and keeping a few in your van) and that has recently ended. I did it for a few more days than Shane because he scored a great electrical job. He met a man in a cafe who knew a guy who knew a guy...we're lucky the Big Guy was in control of that one! What a blessing that was! Now I can go shopping! Kidding, kind of. Tomorrow (the 21st) is my birthday so I WILL get SOMETHING.
Other than work, we hit Raglan on our days off again so Shane could surf Manu Bay some more. He's working on pumping? Carlo, Jordan, Jon, Aaron - does that mean anything to you? We also visited stinky sulphur-smelling Rotorua and saw cool mineral pools and springs. I'm sure SOMEone could get used to the smell, but not this someone. Egg salad to the nth degree! Yuck! Except for the air, though, it was a very clean city. Their government gardens are spectacular! You'll see pics in the next entry.
So, May is almost over, June we will be touring the south island, July is Fiji and home! Time flies when you're waiting for the rain to stop so you can pick kiwifruit. I'm not bitter. Tune in next time for some pictures and a much happier (and older) Tracey. Happy birthday to me...