on being tourists

 we dipped our toes back into life as just the 7 of us for a few days this week at Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. we stayed at this friend-of-a-friend's house and we were warned that it was really old. but isn't 'really old' so charming? (even if there are gaps in the floor boards and the plumbing is a little dodgey!)

 we ate our breakfast at the waterfront in front of the Stone Store every day. then a coffee and a game of Happy Families at the cafe next door.

{icecream at Russell}
it took a good couple of days for the kids to settle back into playing ONLY with each other, and there wasn't much sleep happening, but boy did we suck our short trip dry. it is such a history-rich area.

{Treaty Grounds, Waitangi::Rewa's Village::Tane Mahuta}
we behaved shamelessly like tourists and to top our trip off, i finally made it to The Boatshed Cafe and met up with Stella and her delicious babies (next time, Stacey!). JR was a gem and played with the kids on the beach so i could have an uninterrupted natter. it was so cool to catch up again but wasn't nearly long enough...

 

her boy-babe with the brown eyes is heart-stopping in person...

 

and then there's this delightful lady...who was charming company and even helped me clean up my left-over bagel toppings while mum was distracted...hehe

i hope you've all had a lovely week. and i cannot recommend being tourists in your own country enough, try it! 

x