Apfelstrudel

Nico has made us a magnificent Apfelstrudel - the Bavarian version.
Here he is doing the preparation, a lengthy process that involves much kneading of the pastry ...



it took aboout two hours to prepare and cook but the result was well worth the wait.


In case his mum is worried, I should point out that he has been eating his vegetables!

Colonial Knob

No sniggering in the back please. Colonial Knob is one of the highest points close to the city. It is between Tawa, Porirua and the Tasman Sea. It is quite a hike up through the bush but the views from the top are well worth the effort. Today was fine and mild - just like a spring day. We had a good turn out and it was a very pleasant walk. These may be the last photos from me for a while as Noreen is threatening to take the camera with her to Europe. I hope to see her blogging her experiences in return.

Anyway, here we are relaxing half way up.


This is the group at the top (Jan was hiding). Behind us is part of Porirua Inlet, Camborne and Plimmerton.


This is the view looking out towards Mana Island



north to Kapiti Island



and south to the snow capped Kaikoura range


note the horses and a few sheep in the bottom right of the picture!

Kia ora!

What up b-rowsers! Here's a few pics from our first week back at uni with all the crew studying hard.

A chilly day in Wellington

Nico, Sam's exchange student mate from Germany, arrived in Wellington last night. He is in New Zealand for seven months and will be spending some time with us as he tries to get work in the local film industry and plans his travels around the country. Today dawned with hail and gales but we dragged him out for a walk anyway. From the saddle at the top of the Wainuiomata Hill Road along the ridge behind Eastbourne. In the event the weather was not too bad. It didn't rain, just a few hail stones, and although cold we kept warm in our thermals and helped by a mid walk stop for hot chocolate.


From the left - Dyk, Noreen, Nico, Andy and Liz. (I have learnt how to use the auto timer on the camera!) We ended up at the cafe in Days Bay ...



... where we were joined by Jane who has just got from England and her daughter Zoe.


The renovations (or at least the current crop) are pretty much complete. The office is looking lived in again

while the piano is back in its rightful place


and the end wall is painted the correct colour (the painters' first attempt got the wrong wall!)


That should be the end of boring pictures of the house - Jenny and Sam wanted to know what surprises they were in store for when they next come home!

Walk to Red Rocks

Most weekends we go for a walk somewhere in the Wellington region. There is a loose group of about a dozen who come when they can. Today there were four. Jan, Andy (who took the photos), Noreen and myself. It was a cool morning but the wind was light and the sun came through sporadically to warm us up. We walked from the car park at the end of Owhiro Bay along the beach under the cliffs , past Red Rocks and as far as the seal haul out colony. It was cloudy over the South Island so we didn't see much of the snow covered Kaikoura ranges.

Anyway, here are Jan (on the right), Noreen and I

The seals were lying round on the rocks, not doing much.

First look at the office

Here is a progress report on the office. We have three quarters of the shelves installed. The last unit goes up on Monday, then the carpet goes down on Wednesday and we should be able to start using it then. Here is an idea of the colours.

More photos

Opening the Easter goodies.

Before redecoration - the office

The front room

There aren't many bathrooms with an ensuite piano

and our bedroom has become the tv room!

Photos

Bear with me while I work out how to post photos here.

First Te Whanau. This was taken at Christmas 2006 in the cottage we rented in Frome, Somerset, England.

Chur brother,

Look forwsrd to seeing the pictures. Power's back and surf's still there ;)

Peace homies.

My first posting!!

Kia ora and welcome to the blog of the Jewell family in Wellington, New Zealand. Initially I am creating this as a vehicle for the family to stay in touch with each other as we are scattered around the world.

It will save multiple e-mail missives and allow people to control their access to the information.

First up I will post some pictures of the redecoration we are doing in the office and front room. Unfortunately the camera batteries are flat so while I recharge them you will just have to wait.

Ka kite ano.