A quiet day "at home"

---

Geo: -45.4151, 167.718

Our 4th Sunday without worship ! we were lazy today - this first Sunday that we probably could have found a church somewhere. But we have been constantly praying and praising God for His bounty, that's for sure, and look forward to being at Advent next Sunday!
After our usual breakfast of free-range eggs (how can I go back to normal ones?) and marmalade toast, we did some resorting of our packing.
Our flight from Queenstown to Auckland is the most restrictive one we face: one bag each can be checked, and can be up to 50, with one carry on each only 15 pounds. So the big case is stuffed, and the bag that's usually a carry on has to be stuffed even more densely. Plus my backpack with delicate things, and David's camera bag. We'll see.
We had our usual lunch (brie and crackers and wine or ginger beer) right outside the front door - what more beautiful place could we have found?
Then walked over to the bird sanctuary to see a takahe and some kea, but the most fascinating was an unidentified green bird in a blooming apple tree who was making the crazy variety of sounds the tui does. Can any of you NZ-ers identify him, esp from the video?
A perfect weather day all day. We have vowed to spend more time out of doors when we get home. I know we will be so busy we'll be stuck at computers, but at least I will open the sliding door. This fresh air is addictive.
Last night here, off to Q'town tomorrow to fly off early Tuesday morning for a one night stand in Auckland at the same efficiency we had during our first 4 nights. How incredible these 5 weeks have been, and of course they have flown by faster than we would have liked. Everyone asks "first time here?" To which we reply, at least internally - yes, and only time. 'Tis a sad realization. NZ has really suited us - lack of crowds, no big cities, outdoor adventures, fresh air.

---

Comments

[A random Kiwi]

He looks like a Bellbird, but they should've been in your book, so perhaps not...