Once Upon a Time in Wellington!!!!!!

Sorry I just realised I have written this blog backwards!!!!!!!

Robs Chocolate Chilli birthday Cake!!!!!!

After watching the extras on 'Once Upon A Time in Mexico' DVD, Robs mouth was watering at the thought of "Puerto Pibil' or the Slow Cooked Pork that Robert Rodriguez, the director, demonstrates in his 10 minute Cooking School. ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrw5FkLutWk. I decided I would surprise him for his birthday weekend.

A Mexican Feast!!!!!
After 4 hours in the oven it was sooooo tender, even I had to try a bit!
Puerto Pibil in Banana leaves. Ready to go in the oven.
All the spices, chillis, pork, orange juice, lemons and tequila marinating!!!!!
Lumpy at 24 weeks, its still raining, must be the weekend!

Birthday in the rain......again!!!!

What is there to do on a rainy Wellington Birthday but go to the cinema, Inception was just brilliant. We did not even notice that it was over 2 1/2 hours long!!!!!
Chocolate Cake!
Breakfast at the newly renovated Maranui Surf Club, Lyall Bay.
Cool lights!
A Picture of Maranui Surf Club after the fire last year.


My Huge smoothie and Robs genteel Peppermint tea!
The full works for Rob and Scrambled eggs for me!


Rob and I wrapped up prepared to face the weather, another Windy Wet Welly Birthday!!!!!!

Lumpy at 22 weeks!!!!!!

Our little Kiwi

Rob and I are growing a little Kiwi, out of chocolate, if my current cravings are anything to go by!!!!! I am currently 18 weeks pregnant and as you can see by the fact I did 3 pregnancy tests, it came as quite a surprise!!!!! We got some waves at the 13 week scan! The Baby is due to make an appearance around the 26th November!

The baby made me do it!!!!!

Easter Sunday in the Queen Elizabeth Park, Kapiti Coast

Bank Holiday Traffic congestion!The start of the walk.
Where are all the sheep, this is New Zealand!
Deserted beach with a Rob
Clouds over Kapiti Island
Driftwood on the beach.
Washed up Eel!
Washed up Jellyfish! Jellied Eels anyone?
Tyres on the beach?
Rob posing in front of Kapiti Island.
Guess it gets a bit windy here!!!!!
Back in Wellington it was raining and windy!
This old Wellington Tram runs through the park.

After all that walking I thought we deserved some chocolate twisty bread from my Jamie Oliver cook book..........who needs Cadburys Creme Eggs!

Rob's Tongariro Northern Circuit Walk - Day 3

The last day was going to be a bit of a mission. The longest walk at 8 hours, most of the trek would be covering the Tongariro Crossing. So to give ourselves a fighting chance, we left early in the morning. Another beautiful, if cold, view greeted us as we stepped out of the hut.

We walked back up the windy path back to the first crater for the big climb of the day.

At this point we started meeting all the people on the crossing coming across in the other direction. We got some grim satisfaction that we actually doing it the (relatively) easy way.

It was a beautiful day, the best out of the three, and it afforded us some spectacular views.
Once we had completed the crossing part, we had the decision of walking the last 3 hours back to the visitor's centre, or a 5 minutes jaunt and be picked up from the car park. Although knackered, we pushed on determined to complete it.

This was pretty difficult as now we walking through head high bush, no wind, humid and the sun beating down on us. The Chateau was a sight for sore eyes when we eventually saw it in the distance.

A fantastic walk, throughly enjoyed it. I would recommend to anyone but be warned. Some of it's a bit steep!