Blogs from Te Horo, Kapiti Coast, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

We're now back home, after uneventful flights from Hawaii-Auckland-Wellington and bus-train-drive back to Te Horo (thanks for leaving the car for us Carmen). But the taxi ride from the hotel to Honolulu airport was memorable - in a white stretch-limo. We only asked for a taxi big enough to take all our luggage and this was the next 'cab' off the rank, at no extra cost and actually cheaper than taking the shuttle! A fun way to end the trip. It's great to be back in the verdant green of late-spring in NZ, and to offload our bags for the last time - whew! Thanks to Amanda, our greatly-missed Roxy was at home to greet us in her most effusive fashion . And thanks to Elena and Luke, the house and garden were in immaculate condition. ... read more

It's been a roller-coaster last couple of months, as we madly try to finalise our travel plans, finish off a PhD thesis, complete work projects, find other colleagues to caretake a business, etc. After 28+ years our old horse Mr Leroy Brown decided his time was up and we all shed a few tears as we buried him in the top paddock at home. Then 3 weeks ago, our beloved dog Roxy was bowled by a car on the road outside. It was touch-and-go for the first 10 days, then surgery to amputate her hind leg but she's recovering fast and getting around pretty well on 3 legs. She started barking again the other night, so we knew she was really on the mend. We'll be able to leave her in the care of Amanda, Abbie ... read more