But backwards first – 2008 finished well with son Andrew announcing his engagement to Sarah in early December.

New Year 2009 saw us tripping off down to the South Island for 14 days enjoying a scenic road trip, (Christchurch, Oxford, Tekapo and surrounds) to stay with my youngest sister in Wanaka before celebrating nephew Micheal Brown’s wedding in Dunedin. We also caught up with friends in Roxborough who we had met on our European bus tour and enjoyed 2 nights in Moeraki on the return journey.

Mark spent 3 weeks in the Byron Bay/Brisbane area with Chris and his girlfriend Rachel in March.  At present, Chris is continuing his very long “gap year” working on Hayman Island (Whitsundays, Barrier Reef) and Rachel is home in Canada.

Easter was enjoyed beachside on the Coromandel Peninsula with friends – that got us thinking about moving to the beach to live premanently and enjoying a warmer climate- long term plans are still formulating here!! Meanwhile, we are enjoying regular trips to our shared house at Waihi Beach – trying over summer and much of winter to go every second weekend.

Another wedding, nephew Tim Brown,was celebrated in Auckland in June – a cold day but much fun and joy.

In July, taking a break from busy work lives, both Mark and I have enjoyed a week on Hayman Island visiting Chris – not sure we will move that far for the sun but the weather over that way is appealing considering cold winters here!

Today (14th Sept) Mark is on his way to “Africa” for a month – 3 weeks of voluntary aid work and he will also achieve a long-held dream of participating in a wildlife safari. His trip involves time in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and Zanibar – with a Dubai lay-over along the way!

While Mark is away the wedding planners here will be in full swing with Andrew and Sarah getting married Nov 7th!  It will be great to have the “children” all home in NZ at once – the first time for several years!! Matt and Kat will be home for 2 months before returning to Dublin while Chris is still sorting his post-wedding plans. Andrew and Sarah are now proud house-owners  too so there is lots of activity happening “at the new place” to tidy-up bits and pieces both inside and outside.

Mark hopes to have some internet access while away so keep your eyes open for a blog or two! (photos may be a bit more of a challenge to load up!)