We had a very nice "putsing" kind of a weekend. Saturday we went to the farmers market. Last weekend we missed out on it entirely, as everything is pretty well sold out and shut down by 11am. This time we arrived before 9am and filled our bags with avocados, corn on the cob, tomatoes, and lots of other goodies. We even found smoked ham hocks (so John can make his ham hocks and beans with sauerkraut). Later that afternoon we went to Cirque du Sail! They are a French couple who are sailing around the world on their sailboat "La Loupiote", performing an acrobatic show in the rigging of their boat. It was very good! We have seen them throughout the pacific last year, as we were on the same route from French Polynesia, but had never actually had a chance to see their show until Saturday. They have a couple of different routines, the one we watched was a Laurel and Hardy-style comedy where they are bumbling around the yacht, falling off the rigging, and accidentally sending each other up and down the mast halyard - it was a very cute show, and they are quite talented.

Sunday Alistair took John and Bob golfing - and John had a great round! So while the boys swang, the girls paddled. Ann and I went for a spin on her and Bob's paddleboards. I started out with Bob's board - which is much wider and more forgiving. I kept up with Ann all the way down to town basin. Then we switched boards. Yikes! I had to stay on my knees the entire way back! Ann's board was just a bit too narrow for me to stand up and keep my balance, and I wasn't interested in taking a swim in the murky water. I finally was able to stand up and do a tiny circle in the marina once we got back to the dock. Ah yes - so brave! Paddle boarding is definitely a test of balance. I am much more at home in my kayak!

Sunday evening was the cookout at the riverside marina with all our buddies - most of whom will be heading to warmer climates in the next few weeks. Hopefully we will be on their heels in another 6-8 weeks!

I've also posted some pictures from Ann and Bob's wedding that took place at our B&B on 13 April.


And then I am gradually posting pics from our travels around NZ as I muddle through my thousands of pictures I took. Sometimes I just need to turn the camera off and enjoy the scenery!


This first batch is from Hobbiton. Even though it was over the top touristy, and way overpriced - I loved Hobbiton! This is where they filmed all the scenes for The Shire in Lord of the Rings. I couldn't get enough pictures of all the little hobbit homes. Our toured guide filled us with lots of interesting facts and trivia about how the movie was made in Middle Earth, and we also enjoyed a hobbit inspired beer at the Green Dragon Pub. Now if I could just get my hands on a pair of pointy hobbit ears.