Just like Hanoi

Hi all,

Another day in paradise. It actually has been pretty rainy as of late but still lovely and hot when the sun shines. Mira's swim club is hardcore - even when it is pouring - bounce off the pavement type downpour - the lengths continue. I think she is enjoying it. She is putting in lots of hours doing length. Kate plays happily in a warm pool while big sis is working hard.

We have settled in quite nicely to 24 Bracken Street - even had Krista, Ray and Lily for a NZ barbie. We are expecting our Whitehorse friends - the Sparks Family on Monday for a few days and Mira will get one last play with her good friend, Cayley, before they head back to the Great White North.

We took the girls and Lily to the Kiwi House in Otorhanga - thought after a month we should see a real Kiwi. We were surprised to learn how big they are.

Pukeko - this bird is almost as famous as the kiwi over here - he is on all sorts of merchandise and even has his own series of kids books.

Kiwi family - actually stuffed. As nocturnal birds, we only got to see them in a darkened room so we could take pictures - this will have to do.

Look real?

Ride'em cowboy.

After visiting the Kiwi house - we visited new friends (old friends of Krista's) Ray and Nyra. They own a beef farm near Pirongia. Ray hooked up the trailer to the old tractor and set up chairs in the trailer and pulled us down to one of the fields in real style. Nyra was giggling on the bumpy trip. We toured down to where 40 of his 'girls' were grazing. There Ray rolled under the electric fence to introduce us to his cows. They were very curious. Mira made the observation that the cows were lined up like the scooters in Hanoi. What do you think?

Ray's Cows.

Scooter in Hanoi?

Ray in the field with the girls.

As expected, it wasn't long before Kate had to be passed over the fence to visit with these cows. She wasn't the least bit afraid.

Cowhand in the making?

Surrounded by cows.

This week, Mira started her horseback riding lessons. She is very keen and even doing exercises between classes.

Mira on her horse, Roadrunner.

The expert kids from the Cambridge Pony Club. I don't know anything about horses... as I keep telling the girls, or as they say here - I don't come from a horsey background - but these do not look like ponies to me!

They look like great big horses to me.

Ta for now, sharon