NZ: Alli and James' Wedding and the Bay of Islands

Yippee - another trip to NZ! This one was slightly extended due to my job contract ending coinciding with a previously booked trip for the Everist wedding, so I was lucky enough to be able to join in the frivolities of the Patterson nuptials, and surprise a few of my favourite people too :)

My 30th birthday was spent crossing timezones somewhere above Asia, but luckily I was able to celebrate with F&Cs and Gin & Tonics the following day with Kelley, Fraser and Jenny in our little caravan in Paihea. Yay!

The Treaty of Waitangi grounds:
Around Russell:
The Otago girls the night before the big day:

Alli and James' Big Day:

Road trip back to Auckland:

More F&Cs at Opononi:

Tane Mahuta: the largest kauri tree in the world

30 things I love

1. You know who you are
2. Old fashioned lemonade
3. Chocolate fish
4. Good service
5. Cooking for my man
6. Cappuccino's from Brew with chocolate syrup on top and 1 sugar
7. The smell of a newly popped can of tennis balls
8. Filing
9. Eric
10. Smashing a winner down the line
11. Painting my toenails
12. Showers
13. Crying during sad movies and books
14. X Factor
15. Jack Reacher
16. Warm feet
17. Receiving handwritten notes
18. G and Ts in the sun
19. Macs Golds at Awaroa Lodge, Abel Tasman National Park
20. Fresh sheets
21. Trashy magazines
22. Fresh flowers
23. Sunshine
24. Gordon Ramsay
25. Urban Retreat: The Cleanser
26. Our bookshelf
27. Christmas pudding with cream and custard
28. Efficiency
29. Eating gelato at Oriental Bay
30. Putting on pyjamas that have just come out of the drier

The Incredible Edible

It only took 30 years, but I finally got a 'proper' birthday cake!! Thanks so much to Helen and helpers for their 6 hours of hard labour in the kitchen. What stars :)