A good summer isn't necessarily a good thing

We've had a corker of a summer. There's no two ways about it. For once, Welly has basked in day after day of sunshiney glory.

But forget about hosepipe bans, one of the suggestions here has been to shower with friends! The capital is down to about 20 days' supply, unless some rain arrives soon. The whole North Island has officially been declared in drought.

But it's hard to look at this negatively, when we're enjoying the best weather we've had since arriving in NZ. It's hard to see the downside when it looks like this...

In wine country. Again

This weekend we're in Martinborough again, this time courtesy of Annalie winning her Biggest Loser competition at the gym. The prize was a weekend for two at Brackenridge. We stayed here last year in the winter. But as we're having an amazing summer, the stay has a different feel to it.

Maddy gets to come with us too as it's pet friendly. Her favourite pastime at the moment is counting sheep. Literally!

Taming Tongariro again

This weekend we took our friends Toby and Jo up to National Park to walk the Tongariro Crossing again.

They weren't confident enough to do it alone so we offered to show them the way.

Sadly, sure to the volcano's eruption back in November, half the walk is still shut, so the walk is currently an out and back. But you still get the benefit of some of the best sights.

The walk is open to Red Crater, from which you can just about see the Emerald Lakes, probably the most photographed part.

The day started off really, really hot. But thankfully some cloud arrived and cooled us down a little. The trip felt a lot easier than last time, but our recent training no doubt helped. So much so that we've been to the gym today!

We don't think Toby and Jo would feel that energetic though ;-)