Barn Conversion and Christmas Lunch

On Saturday night we went down to Clevedon for a BBQ where Kate's friend and partner live in a barn conversion. It's a cute little place surrounded by stunning scenery and so secluded. One of the guest bought there dog along and I proceed to tire him out.

On Sunday we enjoyed Christmas lunch at Cathy's over in Kingsland.

Barn Conversion

Ted

Auckland Zoo, Elemeno P and Night Shots

Eva took us to the Zoo on Friday night for her work function. Good opportunity to take some "wild life" shots. Elemeno p played later in the evening. All round, a good outing!

Rhinos

Pink Flamingo

Waterfalls, Forests and Beaches

We took a shot drive to Hunua Ranges where we soaked in the fresh air on some short forest walks. Taking in the nice views of the Hunua falls before heading off to Kawakawa bay and Orere Point.

Hunua Falls

River View

Sunsets and Lagoon Views

Here's some more shots from Mt Wellington looking towards Auckland city and the Waitakeres and a few of the Panmure Basin at dusk.

Sunset Over Auckland

Panmure Basin and Mt Wellington

New Camera and Photos

So Kate got me the camera I've been wanting for a while, the Sony SLT-A77. I've taken a few photos, need to go to some more exciting spots but here are some examples of what I've done so far. Raw images processed in Lightroom.

Auckland Harbour

Fern

European Adventures - Day 29 to 32

Our last days consisted of packing and getting ready for the long flight ahead. With Kate and I both sick with a cold the rest was definitely needed! Days 31 and 32 we spent on the flight...

European Adventures - Day 28

Kate and I did the Tower of London by ourselves today. Very special place in the heart of London. Managed to see the Crown Jewels in its glory (inside a massive bomb proof safe) No photos allowed :(

Cool Art at The tower of London

A view of the Shard

European Adventures - Day 27

Today we headed off on the train to Windsor castle. Saw things like the doll house, the nice gardens inside the church there and more. We went allowed to take photos inside though… After that we had some cream tea, NOM! And did a spot of shopping in Winsor.

Castleness

Gardens and Castle

European Adventures - Day 26

The British museum was the first thing on today’s agenda with the Pompeii exhibition which was quite fitting after just coming from there a few weeks ago. After the exhibition we views some of the great things the museum had to offer including the Rosetta stone. 

Cool sculpture from Pompeii

The Rosetta Stone

European Adventures - Day 25

Today I had a tour of Arsenal stadium while Kate went and did tour of the globe theatre. Very interesting and Dad (although only a fan due to Dave) managed to make me an Arsenal fan also.

Outside the Stadium

Panorama Inside

European Adventures - Day 24

After a late evening catching up with Janine and Dave we had a nice sleep in and watch a squirrel in their back yard. We had a big day planned starting at the London Eye where we managed to get our bearings and full 360 views of the city.

London Eye

View from the top

European Adventures - Day 23

Today is another driving day from Paris across the English channel to London. Early start with a 5.45 wake up call means plenty of sleeping on the bus! On the ferry and the white cliffs of Dover straight to London to meet up with Janine and Dave.

Gloomy day at the White Cliffs of Dover

We got our first tube experience going back to their place as it was the easiest for everyone. The night was filled with vino, cheese loads of meat for dinner and catching up.

European Adventures - Day 22

Today we had a full day in Paris. After a sweet buffet breakfast with waffles and chocolate pastries we went on a tour on the bus seeing more sights of Paris. Making our way to the Eiffel tower at 9.00 to make our 9.30 (when the tower opens) booking. Glad we were there early as the lines quickly grew, we were at the top when there were less than 10 people there, awesome. Such fantastic views over Paris, shame about the hase/smog but still great none the less.

Arc de Triomphe

Obelisk 

European Adventures - Day 21

Today was a driving day from the Swiss mountains to the heart of France, Paris. Lots of French country side, rolling hills and vineyards. It was a long day as we were on the bus by 7.10am and we arrived in Paris at 4.45. When we got to Paris we had a short break at the hotel before our highlight dinner at a fancy restaurant. Food was magic. I had snails as a starter then duck and crème brulee’. Snails were actually quite nice, coated in garlic ha.

Eiffel tower

Restaurant

European Adventures - Day 20

Today was a great day. We got to go up to the top of Mt Titlis and wow what a view. The Swiss Alps in all their glory. There was a cave that was carved in to the glacier but the best views were from the very top after a short walk. There was also a swing bridge to some more views. The Swiss know how to build a platform and the Italians should take note because there was nothing like this when we were 10,000ft up at Etna! The trip up took 3 different cable cars and took about 20mins.

Family 10.000ft

Top of Titles

European Adventures - Day 19

Today was a trip day on route to Engelberg in Switzerland. After a 2 hour break in Verona to see Juliet’s balcony and the nice square there we went past Lake Como and through the 17km tunnel in Switzerland.

Juliet's Balcony

Me stroking Juliet's boob

European Adventures - Day 18

Today after a big breakfast to load us up for the day we headed to Murano factory to check out how the glass blowing/sculpting is done. So incredible how they make the figurines and now appreciate why the cost can be so high.

Old Gondola

Glass Blower

European Adventures - Day 17

This morning with a sore head we made our way to Venice, we stopped in at a town called Classe for lunch and a visit to the church there. The name on the back of the bus in Brendan vacations so I had to take a photo of it J

Old Basilica

Best Vacations Ever!

European Adventures - Day 16

We had a longer tour of Florence today going to various squares and viewing statues. We also had a talk about the gold and leather in Florence and its origin and how important the tanning process is. The gold was interesting as they have black gold, chocolate gold and stretched gold. We picked up a leather rubbish bin as a souvenir from the leather factory. After the tour we had gelato in one of the squares.

Coffee in Florence

Ponte Vecchio

European Adventures - Day 15

Today we drove to Florence via Siena. Siena is a lovely little spot with a wicked Piazza. The Cathedral was meant to be the biggest in Italy but they ran out of money. It is made of black and white marble. Beautiful and the frontage was so packed with stuff. Inside was nice with a huge dome.

Siena Piazza

The Siena Cathedral

European Adventures - Day 14

Friday we had a guided tour of St Peters basilica which was fantastic to see.  It is so massive and the Vatican has far too much money I think..

St Peters

St Peters Roof

European Adventures - Day 13

Today we went on a tour of our own around the Caesar’s Roman Forum in the morning and also the wonderful Colosseum. Took lots of photos. While we were at the forum a storm rolled through and we got a little wet in the gardens... bright flashes and loud cracks of thunder.

Forum

Temple/Church

European Adventures - Day 12

Today we got up early as we wanted to make it to Pompei as early as possible. We then had dramas from a not being able to park outside the hotel to load up, then at tunnel was closed so we had to go around a major diversion adding lots of time. We still managed to get to Pompeii around 9.15am from our place near Sorrento.

Pompei was fantastic and the weather was great too. So awesome to learn about the history of the place. Unfortunately there were a few more diversion when walking around that made it difficult to navigate.. And the villa that Kate was looking forward to seeing was mostly closed. We spent about 4 hours here then when back at the car got some oranges from the trees nearby.

Pompeii

Statue in Pompeii

European Adventures - Day 11

We had a short sleep in this morning before taking the elevator up to the top. We tried to walk to bus stop to make our way to Amalfi but we couldn't find it… We bought some tickets ended up missing the bus then started to walk back to the hotel but we changed our minds… All a bit of a messy morning... The bus to Sorrento was then late. Then from Sorrento and it was a hour and a half trip to Amalfi ended up getting there at 2pm. Someone threw up on the bus too so it wasn't very pleasant..

Positano maybe?

Duomo in Amalfi

European Adventures - Day 10

Today we decided to do Capri. There was a deal on for a private charter. 75 Euro each to see the island for 4 hours and then take a boat ride around the island and see the different grottos. It was just us and 6 others on a luxury charter and what a great day. Weather was good, and Capri is such a nice island, lovely spots to stop and swim. 

Dad on the boat to Capri

European Adventures - Day 9

Breakfast at the hotel then made our way to Piano de Sorrento. The drive was easier than both dad and I thought it would be. We stopped off at a caffe for a snack and saw the angel on the cliff in Maratea and just around the bend were some stunning views of the sea. 

Views near Maratea

 The road took us through a national park with villages scatted around. After stopping for a short break outside the national park we arrived at the hotel and the road down was VERY steep.

Example of sweet bridges

European Adventures - Day 8

Today we had breakfast at a local caffe and went down in the cable car to the shoreline in Taomina. We made our way to the Greek theatre which was amazing and huge. Second biggest in Sicily.

Down on the beach in Taomina

Greek Theatre