| Today was one of the those fun improtu family day's out, which I always enjoy. We took a drive over to the Kapiti coast and had lunch at one of our favourite cafes. The girls were really tired and miserable, but we still managed to enjoy lunch. We then went for a drive, hoping they'd sleep in the car. We saw snow on the Tarua's which was a wonderful surprise! The temperature has certainly started to drop and it did feel quite cold outside. The trees were beautiful colours and as usual we found ourselves on deserted back roads, passing occasional charming houses with their fires going and enjoying the bush and pine trees. Moons decided she was desperate for the loo and sure that we were nowhere near public toilets, we told her she would have to go in the bush on the side of the road. She was a bit unsure about this, but Steve convinced her that Dora the Explorer would wee in the bush if there weren't any toilets. She was happy with that response, and so diligently squatted down by the car. Steve stood guard, as truth be told, he used to do many a time for me back in my drinking days! We continued our journey along rugged back roads, probably looking slightly ridiculous in Steve's Falcon, which really isn't meant for this sort of drive! My Landrover would have looked bloody great out there! So eventually we came across an camping ground. In NZ, a camping ground is literally just a flat area to pitch a tent, usually no facilities, but on this site there were public toilets. Steve and I stood outside the car and reminisced about the old days. How we would have rocked up, pitched our tent and drank lots of beer. God I miss camping. There was an unusual bridge close to the car so we decided to go and stand on the bridge and look over. Leaving the girls locked in the car! The bridge had a grate with holes to walk along and as I was wearing healed boots, the heals kept slipping through making it a difficult walk. We stood on the bridge in amongst the wilderness. A rapid creek beneath us, mountains in the distance and the smell of pine trees. It was very beautiful and I ached for the old days when we used to take scenes like this for granted. We stood in the cold, unprepared without jackets and dressed smartly from lunch, talking about how we must get the girls used to camping. Then a campervan turned up and two backpackers emerged, ready to go walking. In sensible shoes, warm waterproof coats, rucksacks with important tools of the trade in, they proceeded to march past us. We laughed at how in the old days, that would have been us. Only with rucksacks containing crisps and beer! There we stood in our silly clothes, my heels dropping through the holes, silly car with kids locked in waiting for us. Oh dear, how things change. Throughout the rest of our driving, Moons proudly referred to herself as Dora the Explorer. I'm so desperate for a holiday! Seeing different scenery like that, feeling free and out of routine. Really is nice. Now the girls are in bed, the fire is roaring and Steve has just returned with a DVD and lots of naughty unhealthy snacks! A good day! |