A City Experience

Today's excursion was pretty much the opposite to our regular outing. We traded in our Quiet Bush Life for a Bustling City Experience. The day started with much excitement yet no one going anywhere fast. How do kids just seem to know when you have a deadline and have to make it to the train by 9:24am!? Once they realized that we were on a tight schedule they promptly engaged their brakes and made every minute leading up to the exit from the house feel like a year-ugh. I could feel my own excitement fading fast, but a few deep breaths in the car and I was back on track. Voyager Maritime Museum here we come! 

I would like to say that the train ride was more relaxing but alas I cannot. Thoroughly enjoyable for the Rascals but not relaxing for The Mother. So much to see and so many seats to bounce around. It certainitly reminded me that to the Average Inner City Worker my life sure does seem bizzare. Walking around town we dropped more than a few jaws. (My dear friend and fellow twin mother joined us so we did have four 2 years olds and Big L- pretty spectacular!)

Once we arrived in town I felt a desperate need to search out some refreshment and lucky for us N had a break in meetings so he came to join us. Yum. Caffeine in and ready to roll again! 

Feeling refreshed we made our way to the Voyager Maritime Museum (free to all Auckland Residents- not bad!) admiring some fabulous Sail boats along the way. The Rascals were suitably impressed with all the 'Pirates' that live in the City. The trip through the actual Museum was fantastic but brief, the Rascals sure do not allow time to read anything, bouncing from one exciting thing to the next, including an actual ship to play on! Another delightful discovery at the end was a wee sandpit and rowboat. Splendid morning indeed. 

Coming home to this morning's 'rush out the door mess' was not pleasant and it took most of the afternoon to get on top of house cleaning, but the reward was some lovely friends for a play this afernoon. 

Can't complain really.

Tonight's glass of wine was a bit larger than usual and my body feels a bit more tired than usual. 

Looking forward to heading back into our quiet familiar surrounds tomorrow. 

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Today's Excursion: The Secret Playground

Today, despite drizzly rain, we took ourselves off to the Secret Playground at Armor Bay.

'Secret' because for a long time we could only spot it from the Bay but then one day a clever friend of mine made her way through the bush determined to find its resting place. What a fabulous discovery!

 

A short bush walk, a hop over a stream and tah-dah! a secluded playground with fabulous views! 

 

I can never get enough of seeing Little L and Little S's heads bobbing along as they chat and make up stories while we walk. They really are such good friends.  

 

So combine a pleasant walk, playground discovery, throwing sticks into a stream and a spot of morning tea, and I think it is fair to say that a great morning was had by all! 

 

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One for the Biking Bank

We made a happy new Local Biking Destination Discovery this morning thanks to a lovely friend :) 

Huia Dam

I can't wait for it to be weekend so we can take Big L and N! 

(And if I am really honest, so that I can ditch N with the kids and have a go at running this track!)

Huia even makes winter look good :)

Here is to my Ever Increasing Love Affair with Huia!

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Pinkies in the air Ladies!

High tea is one of those Special Indulgent Treats and who better to share it with than my Mum and Sister as a belated Mother's Day treat.

 The setting was perfect, The Olde Creamery just outside Hamilton.

 Tranquil, smell of delicious baking in the air, pots of tea brewing, conversation and laughter, it was the perfect mixture of High Tea and coziness.

 

 Beautiful table settings with lovely flowery cups and plates :) Love Love!

 Yummy blends of tea to choose from. The best was that we each received a big pot of our chosen tea and shared it around. My favourite was the Jasmine and Rose tea.... so delicious! And of course it would not be High Tea without cucumber sammies and scones with jam and cream :)

 

 Lucky to have been able to enjoy such a lovely afternoon.

Lucky to have been able to spend it with such Lovely Company.

Aren't they gorgeous! 

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