(Waikato) Weekend Peaks (WWP)

 We've been tramping/hiking on the weekends! (also omg we are back in New Zealand). We're trying to do a tramp a week. Jacob only has Sundays off, so thats the day. 

Our first week back we walked up Wairere falls. Such a cool spot! And doesn't take too long, though it is pretty steep. It's so nice and peaceful at the top, and with a cup of peppermint tea from the thermos in hand it made for a satisfying first "peak" (note; it is not a peak but I'm going to be lenient with the word)

I'm pretty excited about the impending summer (even after 5 weeks in the Philippines....more on that later when I have photos to show), I've got a bit of sewing to show case. So good to be back where I can sew and bake and do things I love. Even though I miss kimchi like made (but don't worry we have some in our fridge hohoh)

Peace 

xx

Found a film I had forgotten about! 

Here are the last few photo's from Nina and Vince's wedding. Such beautiful memories. I wish we could be back there. 

It almost makes me sick with longing.

xx

New Land for Living

Well, we have moved! We now live on a wee island south of Korea called Jeju, which you might recall from such events as our summer vacation last year.

We have a car, and the tiniest apartment known to man, which we will be moving out of and hopefully closer to the beach you see above at the end of March.

If you look close in the first two photos you can see some divers, these are women, called Haen-yo in Korean. They are pretty old, you often see the hunched over shucking their days catch. Back in the day only men were charged tax, so the women were sent out to dive for food. They continue to do so, though the tradition is dying out, which is a shame. It's a cool thing to see, they normally dive in pairs or groups and when they surface they whistle to each other. Anyway, it's cool.

The beach below is about a half hour drive from our house, and as you can see it's covered in plastic right now. Pretty freaking odd. But it was really windy so I guess it was nice not to have the stinging sand in your face.

Can't wait for the weather to warm up so we can go swimming! Though it is definitely warmer here then on the main land!

Our plans are up in the air for next year. Home? Turkey? Japan? Jeju island? A mix of all of the above? Live is hard, exciting things are happening back home, which it would be nice to be involved in. But are we ready? Going home seems serious, seems like, getting a good job and looking into buying some land. Exciting, but are we ready? Is it financial viable? Should we stay where we have good paying work?

Fuck. Life.

Jacob's parents house also seems to get amazing sunsets and rises. Our parents do only live 15 minutes away from each other, so it's not surprising. But, I count ourselves lucky that they both live in such picturesque settings. Very lucky indeed.

Mum and Dad's farm has the most amazing trees. They look incredible whatever the season, catching the sun's setting and rising lights with the most perfect beauty. The view out the kitchen is always a winner but I thought it might be interesting to catch them from an angle they aren't normally seen from.

These photos definitely capture the magic that seems to be sifting around the farm.

Of course, they also have the most adorable black lab, Toby. He used to love sitting in the boot of our car, until we sold it, much to Toby's disappointment. 

Lounging at Mum and Dad's in the sun with the cat. Who has actually be moved to the beach for the summer. I shall have to get some photos of the animals living at the beach. They love it.

Picking plums down the farm with Dad and the whole clan. The tree's get so over loaded. Mum still has bags in the freezer from last year (when this photo was taken actually) and now more are starting to come through! Delicious, though copious. 

xx

Home.

At home I frolic and rollick with the dog, which never comes to my calls. (I'm calling him in the first photo, he just sat there with his head tilted to one side). I eat soup in the sun and never have to wear my coat. There are babies and chickens. And we listen to vinyls in the garage drinking coffee.

It's pretty nice. 

Can't wait for our next visit.

We went up to the Waikato to see the families this weekend. 

We encountered a pretty mighty storm on the drive up. But we were in no hurry so it was fine. 

It was so lovely, just chilling out, mostly on Jacob's parents farm, cuddling babies and preparing for the next Wickerman burning.

It's anticipated that this Wickerman will burn longer and not fall down. It's going to be wicked. Hah hah.

It's raining. But Tugs is asleep on our bed. So it's alllllll good. 

So I'm missing the north already. We attempted a swim yesterday and almost froze our paws off! Not fun. But then I just told myself it was like swimming in a mountain river. Prefurable in my nanas togs.

Before we left to come back down to wellington we had a lovely picnic in the woods at Jacobs house for his mamas birthday. Its was so lovely. There were ferry lights, delicous foods and amazing company. All amoungst the tree.

Then we went of and watch King Kong in the botanical gardens. Its was incredibly hilerious.

I heart old films.