Simply..a February adventure....

27/2/2019

When a dear friend who is living in Christchurch for six months in a beautiful flat with a spare toom invited me to stay in February, it took mere moments for me to change the New Windows label on the savings to New Zealand.

Right decision!

The fact that it is summer in New Zealand in February added to the thrill.

Coffee shop garden, Amber;ey

Iced coffee here. Temperatures in upper 20's.

Christened the new swimsuit!

Breakfast yards from the beach.

Loved Christchurch art galleries.

Vibrant urban art scene.

Probably the best coffee shop view in the world!

Wooden buildings everywhere, this one in southern Alps.

I'm not quite down to earth yet, but give me a few days and I'll sort out my photographs and my head (and my sleep patterns).

Have any of you been to New Zealand? Or followed the sun in February? It is sunny at home too and quite warm, and I have been grounding myself with some gentle gardening.

Thank you for the lovely welcome home messages.

28 Comments

Gail

27/2/2019 03:24:25 am

Welcome back. I’m looking forward to reading about your trip and your writing sabbatical

Freda

28/2/2019 01:13:18 am

Thanks Gail. I did a bit of writing but mostly I just holidayed! And relished it.

Viv link

27/2/2019 03:43:29 am

Welcome home - looking forward to hearing more of your adventures.

Freda

28/2/2019 01:15:00 am

Viv reading your post about litter - I just didn't see any in NZ!! I am ashamed of how dirty some of uk is..

Mary

27/2/2019 03:48:29 am

Blue skies, a lovely beach, art galleries and verdant views. What's not to love! So glad you had a wonderful break. Rest up and recover from the journey. And keep that smile on your face (I can hear it in your words).

Freda

28/2/2019 01:15:49 am

Still grinning!

cath

27/2/2019 09:09:34 am

Looking even more forward to you taking us to New Zealand after the incredible coffee shop view, probably wishing I was there too.
You gifted yourself with windows to a whole new world, great choice you made.

Freda

28/2/2019 01:17:09 am

No regrets even if one of my windows is stuffed with kitchen roll to keep out the draught!

Lotta link

28/2/2019 03:15:18 am

One of mine is taped up with yards of black Gorilla tape to keep out the rain, but I would have chosen NZ too!

Julia

28/2/2019 03:48:42 am

This was a shock to me, Freda...my brain “read” your “new windows” account as being one that was set aside for “new windows on life”...i did not take it literally...so i thought: wow, new zealand is sure a new window! Just oges to show you the limits of communication when we don’t see a person’s face or hear the nuances in their tone...:-) plus....we are all looking at the world thru our own “window”.

cathy

27/2/2019 02:29:32 pm

kudos to you for having the courage to change that label from 'new windows' to 'new zealand'! what a view to see while having morning tea, and yes, like the sign says, I do wish I was there, although i'm sure it was more fun being there with your friend than being there alone. but I might be able to do alone.

Freda

28/2/2019 01:18:32 am

Cathy you could as it is so visitor friendly and feels very safe.

Julia

27/2/2019 03:54:30 pm

I’ve been to Australia in march twice, Freda...does that count? Yes to the bliss of a southern holiday in the middle of our own winter! Your photos are spectacular....how to choose which one i like best? Impossible!

Freda

28/2/2019 01:19:50 am

I was in Melbourne airport for five hours and Sydney airport for one..but I'm sure it is worth venturing further!

PennyL

28/2/2019 12:58:29 am

So glad you grasped that opportunity with both hands!
We visited New Zealand nearly thirty years ago,when Dave and I backpacked around the world the year after we got married. We spent a nearly a week in the North Island, then hired a campervan for a week in the South Island. We absolutely loved it. It’s such a beautiful country with a huge variation in geology and scenery. We loved the Kiwis even more though. They were so welcoming and friendly. I would love to go back one day, so I’m looking forward to seeing more of your adventure !

Freda

28/2/2019 01:22:49 am

How exciting Penny! My husband was attched to the New Zealand Air Force 25 years ago and we did a campervan trip of both islands then - as you say the variety is amazing and full of interest and the people just as friendly.

Lotta link

28/2/2019 03:22:07 am

Stunning! And what better beach to break out the new swimsuit! NZ has been on my list of places I'm longing to go for years so I'm torn between wanting to see your photos and wanting it to be a surprise for when I finally make it there!

Freda

2/3/2019 12:46:15 am

Enjoy both Lotta - there will be lots of surprises of the millions of things I didn't photograph!

Gillie

28/2/2019 11:04:26 pm

Lovely surprise to find you back again Freda and what fantastic photos for us to enjoy. I especially liked the one of the beach. I absolutely intend to do more sea swimming this year. I love it.
What a gorgeous place for you to indulge. Welcome home.

Freda

2/3/2019 12:47:20 am

Thank you Gillie - enjoy our ses swimming!

Elizabeth Sandie

28/2/2019 11:24:02 pm

So glad you relished your break, Freda, looks wonderful!
Like you I had intended to write last month, but did very little, other than read and laze and enjoy the untypical February sun in and around York.

Freda

2/3/2019 12:48:24 am

February sun even in UK is to be relished.

Sue

1/3/2019 12:28:41 am

What a wonderful invitation and how wise to choose it over windows.
Now you can save for your new glazing with lovely images and memories in your mind!
We have just returned from a week's “Winter Sunshine” break in Malta.
We experienced the worst storm they'd had in years with record wind speeds.
The hotel dining room was completely destroyed. The sea broke all the windows and flooded the whole ground floor.
Vests were worn for the whole week.......need I say more?
Sue

Freda

2/3/2019 12:49:50 am

Oh Sue! That clearly wasn't a lot of fun - plan a new trip straight away!

Sue

2/3/2019 08:55:42 am

We have but this time it's in England so we have no unrealistic expectations of the weather!
Sue

Maria

1/3/2019 12:54:23 am

So glad you enjoyed your visit to our beautiful country, Freda. Was one of your pics of Akaroa on Banks Peninsula? We live in Nelson at the top of the South Island where it is tinder dry at the moment. Love your blog.

Freda

2/3/2019 12:53:35 am

How good to meet you here Maria! We didn't visit Akaroa this trip, or Nelson as the road was closed because of the fire but we did visit Able Tasman park and Golden Bay. Such a very beautiful country and so friendly. I am glad you enjoy the blog, and thanks for commenting.

Damsonlily

4/3/2019 10:11:52 am

Oh how wonderful, Freda! We visited New Zealand a few years ago for the first time and totally fell in love with it and its warm, friendly people.
Unfortunately, we visted just before the devastating earthquake hit Christchurch (we flew home to the UK just a week before) and experienced quite a bit of ‘disturbed’ weather while we were there. We had to change our plans quite a bit to avoid typhoons and similar, so there were many parts we never got to see.
But we are planning to go back in a couple of years time! We cannot wait to explore all those amazing places we missed out on.

Simply..a February adventure....

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