8 November 2010: A Productive Week

We know it’s been a while since we last updated the blog. As promised once a week will be a stretch but we’re trying J

First a few updates, last Monday we actually bought the Red Baron. He’s a cheeky fellow with a few tricks up his sleeve, but we think he will be just lovely for our NZ adventure. 

After purchasing the car, Vivien taught Megan to make gooseberry jam with their crop of gooseberries from last year....yum:

That's right, 9 jars of goodness

So after we bought our new little car it was off to Auckland to return our rental and explore the Waitakere Range, Piha Beach, and Karekare Beach.  Piha again was supposedly a very busy beach and quite dangerous with a nasty rip. However, on this overcast Tuesday we shared this lovely spot with only a few individuals. It was beautiful even with the passing clouds:

Low tide at Piha

Piha

Kitekite Falls in the Waitakere Range

Kevin in front of Kitekite Falls

 The tidal pools and rock formations are incredible. We can’t wait to explore the Northlands when the weather warms up enough to break out our bathing suits.

While still in the Waitakere region we also enjoyed exploring a few little tracks before we started the journey south once again (it takes about 2 hours to get from Hamilton to the metropolis of Auckland).

Later in the week we tried our first Thursday night community dinner with a Zylstra dinner favorite, Lentil Barley Stew. The stew turned out amazing and the few friends that came provided awesome company for the evening. We are hoping to rope in a few more this week with minced beef and bean burritos, yum! While we are talking yum, Vivien provided another cooking lesson on Friday with their crop of lemons. We now have 4 jars of lemon butter (lemon curd). No pictures though...you might just catch us digging into jars with spoons.

Saturday we enjoyed a nice long hike at the Maungatautari Preserve, taking the old Maori track up and “over the mountain.” We only made it to the first summit due to time and some nagging knees, but the views were spectacular and the lush track was a blast!

At the Rocky Outcrop of the Over the Mountain Track

Look at how lush this track is?! Yeah for recovering bush!!

Saturday night we spent with new friends at a BBQ celebrating a UK favorite holiday, Guy Fawkes Night. For our dorky friends and family, enjoy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night Sunday was a great lazy day back in Raglan. We enjoyed lunch at the surfing beach of Manu Bay while watching some talented surfers ride the famous left break.

…Which takes to today, the beginning of our third week. Tomorrow Kevin will be heading out to the Rotorua region to survey the lakes for his upcoming experiments with his NZ lab manager and buddy, Chris.  The really awesome news for Monday is the Megan made contact late last week with an enthusiastic individual in the Waikato Student Union. She met with Bronwyn today and will be starting her volunteer internship on Wednesday!! Yeah! Megan will be assisting in the planning of Orientation Week at the Uni and in the development of event planning manuals for student leaders.

Hope you are all having a great end to your weekend!

Love and hugs!