OK, get a cuppa to read this one as it's a bit of a novel!! We've had the most wonderful long weekend here.

Friday night Uncle Chris and Aunty Sue came to stay before our early morning start to the airport to fly off to the deep, deep south of NZ for my Grandmother’s 90th birthday. The boys were very excited that morning and were jumping up and down shouting "Airplane, airplane", we managed to keep them well entertained on the flight and they behaved remarkably well. We hired a huge car to take us and all our gear then headed south, we hoped the boys would sleep all the way there but unfortunately they thought otherwise! We arrived in Papatowai just after lunch to my Uncle Karl and Aunty Val's bach (or crib if you're from Southland!) and as as it was all a big surprise for my Grandmother that we were coming, we even made her cry (and that's never been seen before!). We had a brilliant party for my grandmother with all the family there including my Uncle Peter, Aunty Sandy and their daughter Tange and Grand-daughter TJ, my cousins Colin and Fiona with her new partner Tim and their baby bump. The boys loved all the excitement and attention and we all tucked into the fabulous spread done by the Aunts and Uncles and it was a brilliant.

Papatowai has to be one of the most beautiful spots in NZ with huge white beaches and rugged coastline. We all walked down to the beach with the boys and it really did take your breath away. It is the middle of winter so was completely deserted except for us and although we couldn't manage a swim it didn't stop us and the boys coming back to the house dripping wet and freezing cold.

That night we all huddled around the fire eating lovely home-made soups and casseroles and drank far, far too much wine and beer. We had a wonderful catch up and a lot of laughs and general talking of nonsense. After everyone piled into beds at midnight Jack decided to keep the houseful awake but we managed a few hours sleep before waking up to freezing rain and hail. The Uncles and Tim cooked a big fry up breakfast for those who could manage it and Adrian even bravely tried Paua for the first time (it's a big black shellfish which tastes very strong but lovely, the boys tucked right into it without hesitating). During a break in the weather, the Wellingtonian's then headed off to look at the Purakaunui Waterfall, it was only a short walk into the bush and looked so perfect it could have been a film set. After getting back and having lunch my grandmother (or "Nanny Nora" as the boys have named her) and her friend headed off for the drive back home to Milton (an hour away) and the cousins headed off up the coast, but those of us who stayed had another lovely night of eating, drinking wine by the fire and solving the problems of the world it was brilliant.

The next morning was cold but sunny and we all wanted to stay for a week but said a sad farewell to the family still there and headed off to see my Grandfather in hospital nearby. It was lovely to see him and his huge smile and sparkling eyes, we think he knew who we were even if it was fleetingly. We then headed back into Milton to see my Grandmother for a final cuppa before heading back up to Dunedin. We had a nice walk around Dunedin and some lunch and as it had snowed overnight the boys played in the snow for the first time while mummy hopelessly tried to keep them dry and out of the puddles before getting on another flight home. We were all exhausted by this stage and it was a quite flight back, takeaways then we all fell into bed by 9 o'clock last night....

Thanks to all the family, especially Karl and Val for a absolutely magic weekend XXXXXXXXXX