We left the beach at the beginning of February, after a little hiccup where I missed booking the campervan on the ferry to the South Island. Just 2 passengers!!! We managed to get a sailing but it was a week later. For those of you that know me, you won’t be surprised. I’m not goodContinue reading "Into March"

Whiritoa walk. It’s been a wonderful summer this year and it has resulted in the opportunity to spend time in our beautiful country. From the Whiritoa walk I did 2 paintings. This one that directly related to the image above… and this one which is about the light through the trees and the silhouettes onContinue reading "It’s February"

The new year has arrived. The summer has been amazing and the pōhutukawa trees were spectacular as our native Christmas tree. Pōhutukawa tree. I decided that I would open my studio for locals and visitors on the 6th January as there were many people around. Unfortunately they preferred to go to the beach rather thanContinue reading "January 2024"

So last month I said my 9 year old granddaughter was putting the pressure on me writing my November blog. Within minutes of me posting she messages me to say “I’m not 9! I’m 10!” Where did that year go ? 😂 Apologies to you my youngest granddaughter! I spent last week in the studioContinue reading "December, the last month of 2023."

So my 9 year old granddaughter has reminded me twice this weekend that I’m due to do a blog for November so “where is it Grandma?” The pressure is on so here we go for this month. That’s me having my first swim of the season on the 22nd October. It was freezing!! 🥶🥶🥶 ThatContinue reading "November Now"

Lots happening this month and into November. Hard to imagine we were somewhere else for August and September. But here we are back home. To kick start the season I am having an open studio for the 3 days of labour weekend between 10-2pm. If you are at the beach pop in and see me.Continue reading "Into October"

Tonight we start our long journey home. Alexandria to Dubai with a bit of a rest up then 17 hours to Auckland. So today we had an unstructured day. So good. Late breakfast then a walk along the beach which is across the road from our hotel. The wall around the rocks and foreshore. SomeoneContinue reading "Farewell to Egypt"

So Kens dad, Alan Lines, was a soldier during WWll serving in North Africa along the coast road out from Alexandria. They were part of the ANZACs who were working with the British to build the railway across the desert to get supplies out to the troops. Today we visited war and grave sites fromContinue reading "El Alamein"

Two and half hours drive from Cairo to the city of Alexandria. Drove through the Dessert road which now due to irrigation is not always dessert. A big armed forces presence out here too. The airforce and a prison. We had a guide take us to the Alexandria National Museum. More artefacts. The head ofContinue reading "Alexandria on the Mediterranean"

Always an early start to get ahead of the crowds and before the sun gets too hot. The hot air balloons were out also. So we were off to the Valley of the Kings. Near Luxor by car. You see these places in magazines and photos but until you are there you don’t realise howContinue reading "Tombs tombs and more tombs."