- Visiting the West Coast of Scotland
- This is it!!!
- On the road again
- Back Country – NZ
- NZ update – east coast
- Back Country – very different this time!
- Lake Taupo
- The Coromandel
- Mini-break
- More little adventures – NZ
- Getting out and about again!
- More holidays!!
- A new year of adventures
- The mountain cottage
- Ginny’s visit
- Another visit – Marni and Jodi
- More changes!
- First stop in Canada – Niagara Falls
- Quick visit – Toulouse and Venet les Bains
- Ffald-y-Brenen
- The Cotswolds
- Back in France again!!
- Barcelona
- A much more interesting path – crossing the Irish Sea!
- London to Loxton
- Enniscorthy – a quick visit
- County Donegal
- South Gippsland, Victoria
- Next port of call
- Victorian High Country
- Snowy River Country
- Reindeer Lodge – Tanjil Bren
- Hiccup to Blessing
- Have tent will travel!!
- Family and friends – hugs and kisses
- Road Trip to the West
- Very snail like!
Well it’s been a long time between updates – the result of working!!!! Must put in an official complaint. We have been busy at Manna – it’s always interesting. Lots of regular guests and the odd crisis care placement through the Mental Health Team at the New Plymouth Hospital. Crisis care can be challenging – but very rewarding when we can help someone through a difficult time. Our regular guests can also keep us on our toes, but we still have lots of fun with them. We recently celebrated Katie-Anne’s birthday while she was with us. Katie-Anne is an amazing person. She has written a book of inspirational poems and is currently editing her biography. Not to be idle she has just started a novel. She is an extremely gifted writer, a gift that still shines through although she has a severe mental illness and at times can’t put two words together on paper. She is one of the bravest people I have ever met. Anyway Katie-Anne has adopted us and we are now Dad Reg and Mum Di.
We recently had snow at Oakura!!!!! A very rare event. Very excited when we woke up to little snow flakes drifting down onto our deck and the gardens below. It just happened to be the day we were heading into the back country to our farm cottage in Makahu for a break. We’d been there in late March and were keen to go again. Lots of snow falling on the side of the road as we drove, looked very dark and threatening in the distance. The Inglewood to Stratford road closed behind us – reminded us of our last few days in the UK – roads closing behind as we went. Sloshed across the car park at the supermarket in Stratford and stocked up – no shops anywhere near our little farm cottage. Just loved it!
Before we left Manna, our guest John told us there’d definitely be no snow in the back country – he grew up in the area – went to school in Makahu. So we had no expectations! We left Stratford and cut across country, winding our way inland – still snow on the road. Arrived in Makahu to find John’s old school covered in a layer of snow – took photos for him! Seemed to get deeper as we made our way to the cottage. Had to park our car half way up the drive – far to slippery to go all the way – and carry everything up the hill. But it was all worth it. Beautiful white views from our decking – very different to our last visit when the views were very green. What an amazing treat for two snow junkies like us!! We had a total “chill out” time for 3 days – feet up at every opportunity Fire lite to keep us toasty warm. We did go for the odd walk on the farm but mostly read, cooked and drank some good red wine. Went back to our busy life at Manna totally refreshed – such a great break!
Our work mates are on a 4 week break at the moment. Jim and Cheryl are lazing about at Taupo, a huge lake in the middle of the North Island. They are back on the 17th and we head over the day after for a weeks holiday. Accommodation organized through a Manna Trust member – apparently it has a spa so looking forward to a few soaks. We have been flat out while Jim and Cheryl have been away. Working long hours and have had lots of guests. Lots of good times though and we have had plenty of volunteers coming in to help out.
Well that’s about it. Had to share the snow with you all!
Much love
Di and Reg
PS Have included a photo of a rainbow over Manna – God’s promises!
This entry was posted in New Zealand