I did it!

Well, I finally did it - I drove fairly long distances from Hamilton. First to Rotorua (about one and a half hours) then to Pukehina Beach (about an hour). I drove our BMW with Joseph and Emily on board. Carrie drove the Honda minivan, with her mom and step-dad and Charlie. We rented a house that sat right on the beach - which was very lightly peopled this time of year (autumn here). Charlie had a great time running on the beach and into the water, chasing sea gulls and the occasional cat, but always returning to us (oh, well, guess I will have to figure out some other wayna to get rid of her). Emily had her usual great time standing or sitting in the water. Fortunately the house had a wood burning stove for it got down in the 50's at night (Farenheit) and grandma and grandpa with their thinner California blood got pretty chilled. I was pleased to find that I can drive on New Zealand highways with only a little fear - roads are definitely narrower and curvier than in Kansas, at least, sometimes very curvy though not on the route we took. Charlie's fur was well matted and dirty so we took her to a pet groomer who pretty much shaved her and she now looks much smaller - Carrie will be posting pictures. Emily laughed and laughed when she saw the new, littler Charlie, and poor dog now shivers in the morning chill. We have had a visit with the in-laws - yesterday went and saw some Kiwi birds at a center that incubates and hatches Kiwi eggs found in the wild and keeps them for six months before releasing them back to their home range - maybe Carrie will blog more about that. I hope everyone is well and having a good year. Take care. Manford