September 2025
The last few days in the UK saw much needed rain. It’s been supposedly, the driest summer ever.
An early morning pick up from home in the UK on September 4th, for an 11 hour flight to San Francisco, . The flight at 10.30am from London Heathrow in an Untied Airlines 777, with about 70 others!! Arriving at San Fran, to an airport terminal mid morning, that resembled a ghost town! Where are all the people? Normally one queues for nearly an hour to get through immigration. Not so, this day. It would seem people are reluctant to travel to the U.S. these days. I wonder why?!
With a still very mild autumn, we had a most enjoyable few days with James & Sarah, children and dog. Spending a couple of days in their rustic cabin in the woods at Lake Tahoe, riding bikes, walking in the forest and sunbathing on the lake shore.
Beautiful Lake Tahoe
Sarah taking the photo. Birthday cake for Jen.
Mother and son.
a new bench in the forest. There were no bears to be seen this day!
The joy of being home again.
Arriving at Auckland at 6am on the 10th, there was a 3 hour wait for a connecting flight to Rotorua.
It’s still very much late winter and few of the trees in the garden, have leaves. The garden will take some time to restore back to its best. Lawns have been mown and it’s lovely to return to our modest home after 15 months absence. Friends Noel & Dee have stayed occasionally, during the 15 months and the house inside, was immaculate.
Strawberries, lettuce and tomatoes in, so far.
Getting three vehicles inspected and passed prior to registration, has kept me busy, while Jen wrestles with endless weeds.
Sister Liz, having lost husband Chris, has moved to Rotorua and with brother Ash, we now have much of the family close by. Only Kelvin is missing, and we miss him.
Jen’s sister Caroline will be visiting in December. Something we are looking forward to and much work is being done for her visit.
This last weekend has seen a resumption of car club activity with an outing to the country town of Pirongia, just south of Hamilton. The main road was closed off and lined with stalls selling everything imaginable. A Scottish pipe band stirred childhood memories. It was great to catch up with some car club members and hear of recent activities.
Some of our members cars. Every family needs two Land Rovers…:)
Some interesting characters.
a wannabe female..:)
Sport.
Congratulations to South African Springboks who won the Castle Larger Rugby championship, between Argentina, Australia and NZ, in a tightly fought competition.
To Canada who beat New Zealand’s Silver Ferns in the semi-final of the woman’s rugby World Cup. The final Will be between Canada & England.
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must be nice to get home again…but now what? or where should I say?
Hi Sarah,
yes, lovely to be home and with lots to do. We have an exciting new year ahead, but will enjoy our next 7 months at home.
From April next year we will be spending a month in Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos via Thailand, before heading back to the UK, then a couple of months exploring Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, in Poki.
How is the repaired engine mount? You were very lucky to be so close to help. Great to be Canadians in Brazil…:)
Am sure you will be enjoying their wonderful hospitality.
Tim’s doing a brilliant job keeping that monster rolling.
Big hugs to you both and those beautiful kids xxx
Dad & Jen xxx
PS. Glad you continue to enthral us with your blog. 🥰
Ahh, the jet-setting life 🙂
Nice to see the old Series III still achieved a warrant. You’ve grown another garage since the last time I saw the place., too.
Enjoy your southern hemisphere sojourn – it’s warming up quickly.
Belated HB to Jen, by the way…
Hi Neal,
Jen says “Thanx” 4 the kind BD wish..:)
Landy looking more gentrified, from its Outback days.
We are not seeing too much temperature rise yet, but days certainly improving and giving us time in the garden.
Tui’s singing their hearts out and fruit trees budding. Fire at night.
Lots of footie to watch..:)