♥ A perfect day on Waiheke ♥

Waking up before the sun, we set off on the hunt for snapper, the bigger the better. With my technique adjusted - “drop it to the bottom two winds of the reel, lock and load!” – I was ready to go. It wasn’t long before my rod was bending and the snapper biting. There was a healthy amount of rivalry between the guys and me, however the catch was evenly spread. It’s hard to describe the excitement when your bait is snatched and the line starts whizzing with the weight of the fish. Yet the excitement felt after 9 bronze whaler sharks arrived for their lunch of our fish bones, was an all time highlight. With a brave hand dangling a snapper tail into the sea, out comes the teeth of a shark that could rival Jaws. Their agility and grace was more like a dancer with the sea being their stage. After dropping the boat we are off to the vineyard, racing against the looming grey clouds threatening the harvest. Obsidian winery was a hive of activity with all hands on deck, cutting and checking each bunch of ripe green grapes to ensure perfection. It’s hot, hard work but what better way to reward ourselves than a cool glass of chardonnay on the deck, watching the wood pigeons’ swooping dives. A toast to a brilliant day in paradise.

♥ Karekare ♥

Karekare is untouched and raw, with hardly a human footprint on the beach.
Vast black sands and wild rolling seas along and a lack of human presence makes
it a priority to visit when I return home to New Zealand. The winding road
cuts its way through thick native bush, leading to a waterfall hidden away from
the rest of the world. I imagine another life here in a little bach, my days spent
painting and looking out at the west coast surf crashing down. Jane Campion
chose this beach to film “The Piano” and I think this piano piece from the
soundtrack fits perfectly with this stretch of coastline.

Download this mp3 from Beemp3.com

♥ Going Home ♥

Tomorrow I leave from New Zealand. I was lucky enough to have a seafood feast cooked for me as a farewell dinner. It was a perfect taster of what’s in store for me on my return home.

Things I am most excited about in NZ

My Family

Friends

Prada my cat

Weddings

Being a bridesmaid

Seafood

Sunshine

Waihekie

♥ Bricklane ♥
What could be a better way to fill in a grey London Sunday than taking in the sights and smells of Brick Lane. After a lovely coffee and cake from Allpress I finally found a pair of black boots - perfect height and shape, and an old Kodak Instamatic for my collection. This was also the first outing with my new Billingham camera bag, a 30th gift from my lovely girlfriends in New Zealand. It was the perfect fit for all my kit and the colour…LOVE.
After eating the most delicious rainforest wrap, filled to the brim with goodness, we headed to the pub for a game of pool.

♥ Chateau de Chenonceau ♥

Lying romantically across the river Cher, Chateau de Chenonceau was a highlight of my birthday. Walking through an enchanting forest,I half expected Mr Tumnus to come trotting past the maze and offer me a cup of tea. A princess from any childhood fairy tale was all that was needed to complete the scene. We were greeted by a huge fireplace taller than myself, with walls covered from head to toe with the most intricate of tapestry. We could wander around the bedrooms and floors as if we were once a part of this beautiful world. My favorite room was the grand galerie with an art deco-esque chessboard floor. I could picture the elaborate gowns being swept around the room in time to the music. What bliss.