Bliss

This is a truly lovely place. Bliss. The lovely sea views, the peace and quiet, the lush greenery, the perfect ambient temperature and a dishwasher after three months without = very relaxing holiday.

Taking the boys out for a walk. The dogs got some exercise too.

Preparing for a bbq lunch on our deck.

I think Elizabeth finds it relaxing too.

We went to the Matakana Farmers’ market this morning. A great place: every foodie’s dream with mouth-watering tarts and pastries, coffee and wine, hand-made sausages, oysters and mussels, fresh fruit and vegetables and delicious condiments.

I like the bucket on the very left: “4 Miss Piggy”.

Live music too!

Yesterday we visited the Matakana Country Park which was a big hit with the kids.

I’m sure there’s a photo of me and Josey as children sitting on a tractor like this.

King of the castle.

Just off the coast of Leigh is Goat Island (pic below) which became New Zealand’s first marine reserve in 1975. This means fishing is prohibited and consequently the water is teeming with life. There is a glass-bottomed boat trip you can take out but we felt Elizabeth is a little too young to enjoy that. Maybe next year.

Thought this a little odd. We have a choice?

Although fishing in a marine reserve is prohibited, fishing around the reserve is allowed and because the reserve protects species and allows them to flourish, they naturally spill over into the surrounding environment providing some great fishing. We saw lots of fishing boats in the harbour at Leigh.