Weekending in a retro caravan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday we packed up the car and headed up the Coast - just a short car journey away, to a spot that truly takes your breath away once you navigate your way over gravel roads and winding hills.

 

We borrowed a friends retro caravan for the weekend, a Birthday getaway for me and my family.

 

The weather was beautiful, and we started each day with a swim before breakfast.  The rest of the day was just spent lazing in the sun. walks along the beach, swimming, eating and running around after the boys.  There were no showers and a smelly long drop loo, but when you looked at where we were and the stunning landscape around us it didn't matter at all.

 

The best thing is that Mr H is now a caravan convert so it looks like my dream of having a retro caravan will one day become a reality.  We can't wait to go again, and hopefully next summer we will be in our own caravan in this little slice of paradise by the sea.

 

 

 

 

Today.....just a bit of this and that

 

 

 

 

 

Roses from Mr H - two bunches - pink and cream - the others are in a jar on the dining room table.

 

Devouring books - two this month, one I had started sometime last year but never finished.

 

I love reading cook books in bed at night.

 

And channelling my inner crochet goddess....I know she is in there!

 

Lunch box treats - making prune and coconut balls - 500g of prunes in the food processor, roll in coconut, set and store in the fridge.  George loves these.

 

I tried Kimberley's Chocolate Weetbix Slice - with sprinkles.  Delicious.  The kids enjoyed this for afternoon tea - the rest has been hidden away in the baking tins, sliced and ready to go into lunch boxes tomorrow.

 

Pottering about in the garden today - the fairy garden is looks sweet with the "Lorax Trufulla Trees" sprouting.

 

Lots of washing folded....and put away - my least favourite task.

 

Harvesting in the vegetable garden.  I'm Googling Zucchini Fritters.  Any suggestions?

 

A walk round the waterfront this morning and a swim followed by homemade fish tacos for lunch.  Early night for me tonight.  Feeling zonked!

 

Have a great week! xo

 

 

 

 

Summer Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A peek at our Sunday...........

 

 

Left overs for Sunday brunch - spaghetti Bolognese on day old ciabatta, smothered with cheese. 

 

Potato hash with roughly chopped bacon.  The eggs are from our chooks - look how yellow they are!

 

Vegetable garden weeded and tidied.  The unruly tomatoes have been tamed, pruned and staked up high. 

 

Lots of sweet tomatoes are now able to soak up the sun and my celery can now see the light of day after being completely covered in sprawling tomato vines.

 

Courgettes in the making.

 

Love the sight of wet towels hanging on the line.  It screams summer time.  We have been swimming every day to beat the summer heat.

 

Mr H has strung up an awing over the BBQ area, I've hung up lanterns and potted up plants.  We BBQ most nights at the moment for dinner.  Mr H cooks the meat and I throw together a salad.  Easy!

 

No need to buy a sun umbrella for the table when this beautiful tree provides our shade.  The perfect place to sit and eat ice blocks............lots and lots of ice blocks.

 

I had a girls night out Friday and a family BBQ late Saturday afternoon so a chilled out Sunday was delicious.  And yes the kids played up a bit, there was the odd push and plenty of shoving going on.  Just the usual shenanigans!  But it was a good day all the same (I find that the threat of no swimming works a treat!)
 

Hope your weekend has been a good one?

 

Hot or cold where you are?

 

 

 

 

A vineyard lunch

Oh dear, my New Year "detox" isn't going to well.  We found ourselves at a local winery this afternoon for lunch.  My sister and her family head back to Brisbane tomorrow so we decided to head out for a farewell lunch.

We drank chilled wines and ate platters of cheeses, meats and smoked salmon, served with piles of delicious bread and crackers.  All the tables were set up under a huge fig tree and there was live music playing too.  Cricket and Petanque was on site too if you fancied it.

The sun was warm, the wine flowed as did the laughter too.  It was a really good way to spend a Summers afternoon.

I'm really going to miss my sister and hopefully it won't be long before we see each other again.

 

How have you spent your Sunday?

A very Kiwi Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

I woke up Boxing Day with (fuzzy head) aching feet from dancing, sore stomach from laughing, and a croaky voice due to epic Sing Star battles with my sister.

 

Our Christmas Day weather was great, the sun shone and it was warm.  The kids were well behaved, even though breakfast for them was mostly made up of the sweet contents of their Christmas Stockings.

 

Santa came through with my very much wished for Pink Flamingos............which I may have purchased/wrapped myself.  Sometimes you just need to take matter into your own hands.

 

We ate roast lamb and Christmas Ham which Mr H glazed and cooked on the BBQ.  Raw fish in coconut cream, lime and coriander was served along with roast vegetables and huge bowls of salad.

 

We sat in the garden under our big shady tree, I set a table and had three huge jars of hydrangeas from my neighbours garden as our centrepiece  Arms chair's in the shade were a favourite place to relax and sip ice cold beers.

 

We played tag, bulrush and touch rugby.  I hired a Sing/Dance Star console which was so much fun.  Apparently my sister and I hogged it most of the evening..........but I don't think that was true.

 

We have been away the last two years so to have Christmas this year at home was wonderful, it felt relaxed and easy going.  I'm so glad we have stayed home this year.  And now it is time to sink into full holiday mode.  No more gift wrapping ( I did my usual last minute power wrapping Christmas Eve), no more mad dashes to the Supermarket along with the rest of the town to do the Christmas shopping.  It feels like everything is done and dusted for the year.  Relaxxxxxxxxx.

 

Merry Christmas.

 

xo