Summer in Auckland
As we noted at Christmas, the weather had been
lousy for months and then suddenly it came right and we got a real summer in
Auckland. Warm and humid with lots of sun. Caitlyn thought fishing was the
thing and dangled her toy rod over the side out on the Hauraki Gulf. It was a
great day but the fishing was anything but great. No fish, although you would
not think so listening to Caity shouting "I got one" every few seconds.
Back on dry land and our little copy cat was soon following us around watering the plants. Luckily for once she was actually being helpful and no plants were drowned in the exercise.
A few days later and we were out at a farm house where Debbie and Clive had taken up temporary residence. There was a great swimming pool which Jamie loved, and while he was swimming Debbie stole a ride on his tricycle. Sturdy thing that tricycle.
The next day Debbie showed us another skill, this time riding water skis at Arkles Bay on the Whangaporoa Peninsula. She is very experienced and was able to give Belinda a few very helpful hints on how to stay up on the skis, and the driver learnt a thing or two as well which probably greatly assisted Belinda. The picture below left is Jamie on the beach where together with his cousin Tristan he constructed a sandcastle or two.
In mid-January we ventured south, first to Lake Taupo where we spent some time with friends. They had a boat equipped for waterskiing and Belinda really progressed well. She can not only get up on the skis most times but stay up and cross the wake of the boat. Altogether a most successful summer on the water sport front.
Below right we have Caity, extremely dirty from headstands on the dusty drive, having a bath in the laundry tub. We had a very pleasant time before venturing on to Wellington the next day.
