A new home by the water, glorious weather, catching-up with friends and family – all the ingredients for a wonderful summer break.

In August Sue made a three day trip to New Zealand  to view a house that was for sale in Taurikura, a little bay on the northern shores of Whangarei Harbour. The real estate agents photos (above) were enough to convince us that the trip was worthwhile and Sue made an offer the day after she first viewed it.

On 1 December we took possession and on Boxing Day Nigel finally got to see it. His verdict – ‘perfect!’.

It will need significant renovations but is perfectly liveable as it is and we hope to rent it out for the next few years. In preparation we spent significant time tidying the garden and cleaning the house as well as planning possible changes that we would make at some time in the future.

With a collection of plastic chairs, a camping table, air beds and whatever else we could borrow (a big thank you to Tony & Jean) we basically set a up camp inside the house and sat back to enjoy the views.

This wasn’t just a working trip of course. As well as gazing at the views from our deck we enjoyed some of the local walks, Nigel went fishing, we both went swimming and we met many of our neighbours.

It will be a great place to settle permanently. One day!

The view from the upstairs deck. The trees in the foreground mark our boundary and a path through the trees on the left marks the boundary to the other neighbour and leads directly to the beach.

Sunset from the upstairs deck.

Views around Taurikura Bay.

Nigel – highs and lows. The low was walking into a glass door – patch work courtesy of Sue and Rebecca. A week later the patches have gone and an early morning kayak brought a stunning sunrise, fish for dinner and a smile to go with the new scar.

Great to catch up with Margaret (a long way from Al Ain). Her visit gave us an excuse to take the ten minute drive to Ocean Beach. You can tell that it is peak holiday season by the crowds on the beach! Nigel was inspired to come back for sunrise photos the next morning.

More catch-up time with Peter and more walking. Heading north we can walk over the hill into McLeods Bay and enjoy coffee or lunch at ‘The Deck’. Or heading south we pass through McKenzie and Urquharts Bay and onto Woolshed Bay. One day these will be our regular strolls.

The picnic hamper was a gift from the real estate agent that we purchased through. We put it to good use with Tony and Jean at their favourite picnic site on ‘their side’ of the bay.

Somewhere in this fabulous few weeks we spent time with Daniel and Rebecca and Graeme and Mercedes but have absolutely no photographic evidence. How did that happen?