Sunny Sunday in Auckland

Immy dressed for Church and the Wiggles Concert!

Having decided to give his ticket to the Wiggles to Sarah (so they could all go as a family with their Playgroup), the Brig. came with me to Col and Den's place on the Bay.

The boys catching up.

After Francis (Col's sister) arrived we decided to try out Auckland's public transport system and caught the bus into the Viaduct area - Ferry and waterfront section of Auckland. There have been so many changes (in the last 40 years) and quite impressive ones at that. We strolled around the area which was the hub of the America's Cup - just super atmosphere, full of life, boats, restaurants, boats, hotels, boats, apartments and more boats. Definitely the City of Sails.

This apartment/hotel/shopping complex was designed to resemble a large cruise ship.

The Hilton Hotel has the top spot at the front of this complex on the Harbour

Non stop talking over a great seafood lunch. Den of course had "fush and chups", and me some great NZ mussels.

Lovely last day in Auckland. Sunday evening Frank took over the cooking duties, and Ian, Sarah and I enjoyed one of his great barbequed steaks. As you can see from the photo above more food was not what someone's body needed - but it was good. Diet commences back in OZ.

Sunday night the kids raced their monster easter egg trucks - at that stage neither of them had realised there were chocolate easter eggs inside!!!

We said our goodbyes to Ethan and Immy, Ian and Sarah, Sunday night as we had to leave for the airport at 5.30 am the next morning.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in NZ with Frank's family and the grandchildren, and of course our great friends - With the exception of Lake Taupo, every day was sunny and warm, with very little humidity. next on the agenda - REALITY !!!

Grandkid Zone on the Te Atatu Peninsular

We arrived at Ian and Sarah's late Wednesday afternoon and met young Imogen (Immy) for the first time - a little character to say the least. She has just learned to walk - or should that be run!!!

Immy sporting her new backpack not quite ready for bed yet - check out the "gotcha grin"!

7 a.m. Thursday morning - Ethan joins grandpa for tea and a biscuit

A trip to Auckland Zoo was on Thursday morning's agenda

Rhinos and Giraffes required a lift onto Grandpa's shoulders Time out for a play on the monkey bars

While miss Meerkat kept watch

Thanks Mim

Ethan, time to head off to kindy school

with Mark and his Mum

Immy takes the train at the Carriages Cafe DVD night Friday 6.58 am - two come for tea and biscuits Early rise Immy?

Little miss in her new hat, Ian found her wearing it around the house early in the morning.

Friday morning was playgroup for Ethan, Immy, Ian and Grandpa - me, I had a lot of stuff to catch up with on the computer!!.

Ethan looks happy to be on his way to playgroup

I've made my choice of bike at Playgroup!

Friday evening - Ian celebrating his near completion of a new patio outside the sleepout, however this turned into a double celebration after he received a phone call with a job offer from the Airforce. (Update - job now accepted)

Saturday morning - more visitors to the sleepout

Next - a trip to the Aquarium near Mission Bay

Kids were enthralled with the really large stingrays

and turtles We all rode in a "Snowcat" into an "antartic simulation" where we could view dozens of penguins

Including the handsome "Prince Penguin"

Ethan tries the snowmobile at Scott's Hut

And then there were the sharks - Ethan loved this part, he and I had already been around it once by the time the others caught up with us, so we got to go around twice.

Another big hit - was the very large crayfish

Ethan was invited to feed mussels to these giant crayfish

Time to go to the lovely Park at Mission Bay Beach - first stop for Ethan - the fountain

Now for some "girl's football"

I got it Mum!

any size ball!

That was a thirsty workout!

Ethan's turn for a game of baseball and cricket with Mim and Grandpa

not sure what we were playing!

Immy contemplating whether to access the water or not

Grandpa saves her from the sharp shells underfoot