Normal Schedule now Resumed

Since I have no stitching photos to share at the moment, I'm hoping to have the Virtue Sampler finished very soon though, I thought I'd share a few snaps from our little holiday away last week.

Hannah and I headed to Palmerston North, which is 1 1/2 hours south of here, to spend a few days with my cousin Donna, and her Mum and Dad as well. On the Monday we took a drive to Wanganui, which is about an hour away from Palmerston. Our first place to visit was Virginia Lake, one of Wanganui's top scenic attractions. It was absolutely beautiful there. We took a stroll around the lake, and there were ducks, swans, and pukekoes everywhere.

a close enounter with a swan

Masses and masses of lily pads everywhere


Hannah and Donna checking out the bird aviary

Such a gorgeous spot, and it was a stunning day too

Hannah and I

Virgina Lake is also the home of the Winter Gardens, an Art Deco facade with a conservatory that houses lots of beautiful exotic flowering plants, and it also has a walled garden.

Some new "friends" Hannah made

Hannah and my aunt Dorrie exploring in the conservatory

don't you just love the colour of this clematis

one of the many garden sculptures to be seen

another sculpture we found on our walk

After lunch, it was time to check out Kowhai Park, which is on the banks of the Wanganui river, and it has to be one of the best playgrounds I've ever seen. Hannah was in her absolute element.

It has a brilliant paddling pool

Humpty Dumpty's wall, which Hannah didn't fall off, lol

a train to ride

lots and lots of seesaws, swings and slides

After all our playing it was time to have a wander up the main street and find a cafe to have a coffee, icecream for Hannah, and something to eat before we got back into the car to head back to Palmerston. We came across a Chocolate and Lollie boutique shop so I just have to share a photo of the handmade chocolates I couldn't resist buying:

from the back:

Mint Truffle, 42 Below Vodka & Feijoa,

in the front:

Limencello, Chilli and Manuka Honey

They were all absolutely scrummy, but wow, the chilli and manuka one blew me away!! The rest of our time away was spent either relaxing at Donna's or checking out all the New Year sales on in the shops.

Yesterday I started back at work after my three and a half week holiday, and although it was bit of a shock getting up when the alarm went off just after 6am, it was good to get back to work to catch up my work friends. Its going to be a busy few weeks now, getting up to date with all the paperwork sitting on my desk, and planning our programme for the next few months. We've also got a family wedding coming up in a few weeks time, and I've got another visit to Palmerston planned before the end of the month. Wow, its going to be February before we know it!