On 28th February it was Mum's Birthday. I took her to lunch at the "One Red ChillyCafe" at Papakura then we had a birthday dinner at our place. We had marinated chicken cooked on the bbq, lettuce salad, roast pumpkin, kumara, onions, garlic, fresh beans out of our garden and Dianne's 'famous' potato dish. This was followed by birthday cake which was also dessert. I made a banoffee cake which was a banana cake sandwiched together with cream and caramel. It was not as caramel as I thought it would be (never mind, maybe next time!!). I think Mum had a nice day and enjoyed spending time with her family - unfortunately Ang and Philip were not able to come, and of course Mis and Geoff are far away on the other side of the world.

The "Birthday Girl"

Nana with some of her grandchildren

Mother and her two lovely daughters (fooling around, probably after too much wine!!!)

On a more serious note!!

Today we went out to the Hunua Falls with Ang and Philip. We had a lovely picnic lunch then went on a hike to the Cossey's Dam. It was quite warm but we were in bush most of the time. It was a lovely walk and a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

We forgot to take a photo of our picnic lunch but this is us afterwards

Looks at that lovely tree!

Crossing the stream (don't fall in like last time Allan)!!!

Careful Ang, you know how clumsy you are!!

Almost at the top of the 400 steps - whew! Where has our fitness gone???

Ang and Philip in front of the Hunua Falls

Don't they make a lovely couple?

Queen Mary II visited Auckland today. It is the BIGGEST cruise liner in the world. We, along with hundreds of other people decided to go and have a look. Unfortunately it was too big to berth at the normal wharf and had to berth at Jellicoe Wharf which is only a container wharf. We were not able to get very close and our view was obstructed by lots of containers as you can see from the photos below. Never mind, at least we got to see it. Wouldn't it be amazing to have a holiday on it? I did enter into a competiion for the leg from San Francisco to Auckland for 10 days but wasn't lucky enough to win it. We will have to keep dreaming won't we!!!!!

Full moon at Mt Maunganui . Isn't it spectacular?
At the top of Mt Maunganui on a very hot day, but worth it for the views as can be seen below.

Acting like 'tourists' at Huka Falls, Taupo

Picnic by the river

Hawkes Bay Wine and Food Festival, with Mark and Rachel

Having our picnic dinner at Blackbarn Winery - waiting for the concert to start

The "Lady Killers"

At Mission Estate Winery

The lovely gardens at Napier

Firework display at Napier

Rere Falls, Gisborne

Having a 'coffee' break at Opotiki

Allan doing his usual, at the Redwood Forest, Rotorua

On 31st January we drove to Te Puke to have lunch with Pat and Gwen before they left for their "O.E." They were staying with friends on a Kiwifruit Orchard. We had a lovely lunch by the pool. We had whitebait fritters, frittata, salad and fresh fruit. It was great to see them. We then went for a wander through the kiwifruit vines (as you can see from the photos below)!