Home and Away......

School holidays.....gotta love em.  I really love them and one of the perks of working in a school means....I get the school holidays off work!  Yippee.  And this holidays, two delightful friends and I planned a little girlie getaway down in Picton, in the South Island.  I also tagged a few extra days on the end of our trip and headed down to Mum's in Rangiora.

I've never been away with just the girls or maybe 'ladies' is more us!  Anyway, here's how it all went down.  Lorraine has a cousin.  The cousin and his family live in Picton.  They were going away for the holidays to a warmer climate.  They offered their home to Lorraine to use and she invited me {I felt very privileged} and Karen {and one or two who couldn't make it} to spend the week with her!  Karen and I said 'oh my gosh, we'd love too' {or something like that} and the rest is history.

We had an amazing time.  We caught the ferry down....don't panic, the sea only had swells of 3 - 3.5m and a storm warning!  We swallowed our sea sickness tablets and got on the ferry.  Macy came with us, as my mum and dad were meeting us in Picton to take her down to their place for the week {lucky Mace} so the four of us kept each other entertained and surprisingly, there was only really half an hour of big waves, thank goodness.  But we did sit by the kids playground, big mistake.

Mum and Dad met us at the ferry station {what is it called??? ferry terminal!! duh} and whisked Macy away for a week of farming, baking, sewing and grand parenting down on the farm.  She was so excited to see them and I knew she was going to have a wonderful time.  We were collected by our chauffeur {the cousin's friend} and delivered to our holiday home.  Hold the phone!!!!  Our holiday home was gorgeous!!!!  Views amazing!!!!  Spa pool!!!!!  Private jetty!!!!!  Might be easier if I showed off  {whoops}  I mean showed you with some photos.......

The view out the ferry window...once the ocean had calmed down.

Sunset from the jetty

Our spa.  So amazing sitting in a 35 degree spa while it's 2 degrees outside!  Looking at the stars.

Watching the ferry from the couch.  Would never get sick of the views.....but wouldn"t get much else done.

Perfect weather.

Crystal clear water.

Early one morning.....I kayaked all around that bay.  Believe it!!!!

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I was in love with the private jetty.  {Felt like I was on Dawson's Creek!!!}

View down to the jetty from the front deck.

We spent our days lazing about, reading, shopping, going to cafes and second hand shops, sight seeing, eating, talking and lots of laughing.  Let me show you......

This is the car we drove around in!  I know right!!!!!

Lots of cool shops....'Now panic and freak out' should be my motto!!!

Hot chocolates and cafe stops.  We had some lovely meals at some gorgeous cafes.

Saw lots of beautiful buildings.....

Woke up first morning to a pod of dolphins in the bay and discovered I could speak dolphin!!!

Plenty of reading and relaxing in the winter sun.

Before I knew it and after an earthquake {freaky} it was time for me to catch the bus down to Rangiora.  Another adventure!  The scenery was beautiful and I had a peaceful bus ride until a smelly tourist {no judgement, true fact} took up residence in the seat next to me.  But I was happy when I got there and was able to spend some quality time with my mum and dad, and Macy who was there waiting for me.  It was a lovely and peaceful weekend.  And all too soon that was over too and it was time to fly home to Honey.  I'd really missed him over the week. And I was looking forward to being back at home with him, our pets and my blazing fire. 

On the way to Rangiora...before the smelly tourist got on!

Feeding the chickens.

Trekking around the farm in pj's and crocs.  Hahahaha, the animals didn't care!

Me, Macy and Mum xxxx {we missed you Drewe!}

Time flew and then it was time to leave the farm.

It was a great first week of the holidays, over too soon but so lovely.  Special big thanks to Lorraine and Karen.....I had a great time on holiday with you.  You are both remarkable women and hold a special place in my heart.  And as always, Mum and Dad....you're the best!! xxx

I'll be back over the weekend to show you what I've been up to this week and to introduce a special guest blogger to my blog!  Exciting!!!

See you soon

trudy_n xoox