We decided that we should make it to the top of the mount before we moved. so off we went, someone suggested instead of taking the long track to the top we would go for the difficult track.
It shouldnt be that bad! No!! Me and Martin were gasping for breath. It was basically winding steps all the way up. The steps were tall and long so in the hot sunshine it was really hard. The kids loved the steps and didnt moan at all - it was just us that were moaning!! These are the views from up at the top.

I am not sure what the this one is called but we have named it as the little mount. We have had a picnic on this one in the school holidays.
We had to have a rest at the top before we made the journey back down the steps.

Its the school holidays this week so we will be visiting the hot pools next door for a swim and playing on the beach before we move to Omokoroa on Friday.
Our container arrived on the 22nd so this will be delivered to our new home on Friday. It will seem like Christmas when we get all of our things back. Jess has already decided what she will be playing with on each day for the rest of the hols.

This is our new friend we met this weekend. He was happy sunbathing on the rocks whilst the kids played in the rock pools.

He was happy to pose for several more photos as the kids wanted to get closer and closer.

Jess loved him and wanted to stroke him. We are told they often come into the mount and lay on the rocks so hopefully we will see them again soon.
We are just starting the 3rd week and school and everyone is enjoying it. We just have this week to go and then its a 2 week holiday so there is no pressure at the moment to get too much work done. The kids cant wait as we are going to got to the hot pools in the holidays and also have a look at some of the other things we can do. Martin will be working so I will take a deep breath and enter the holidays with a big smile on my face!

This was how we spent our teacher only day (inset day). We went to the rock pools and caught some shrimps, a seasnail and plenty of hermit crabs. The kids had a great time paddling in the waters and catching everything. We then went back to the beach and chased some waves trying not to get wet.


This picture is taken just before the inevitable happened and a big waved soaked Joe through.
He seemed surprised for some reason! We met some other families on the beach that were from Omokoroa school which was good as we are still staying at the mount and we dont know anyone here.

Pictures of my school by Sam Millard. This is part of our school playground and some of the classrooms. We play basketball at playtime here.


This is my new friend nathanial.

This is a picture of me coming out of long cool tunnel in the playground. Its quite dark and you can't really see what you are crawling on.

This is our school rugby field but I couldn't get the soccer field on the picture as it was too big.

This is our playground, we have a great time climbing and jumping on all of these. There is also a sandpit at the other end.
School is great, we have met some great new friends. We are in year 5 and will start year 6 in February. The maths lessons here are fun and we have made a calender which I will put a picture on the blog of when I get it back.
There is a swimming pool in the middle of the playground and in the summer we get to have a swimming lesson everyday. I am hoping to join the basketball team soon.

School by Joe Millard - Its good because you get lots of stuff for playtime - like a tennis court and climbing frames, we are even allowed to climb trees and play with sticks not like in the UK.
In the lessons they dont put any pressure on you - we had an hour do something in england but here we would get a week. (not sure thats a good thing - mum!!) I am hoping to play more tennis and basketball because there cool games.

School by Jess Millard - At school there is a lot of friendly people. I have made a friend called Zara and I have been playing with Alexander today. In some lessons we have to run to get a bean bag animal and then come back. We have a jump jam twice a week which is dancing to 4 or 3 songs like 'who let the dogs out' and an angel one where you have to jump up in the air.
I really love the tunnel that sam is in on the picture, but we saw a tiny spider in there who kept following us and soon got out.
We have been in the swimming pool today.

Hi everyone, welcome to this weeks blog. This is Omokoroa Beach where we have just bought a house today. We have bought a 4 bed 1 level house (bungalow to you and me!) with a sea view. Although as you can see from the picture it is quite difficult not to get a sea view here.
Sam Joe and Jess started school on Monday. They are all loving it and I have to say what a fantastic school it is. Its how things used to be. Everyone is friendly and polite including the children. There is a huge playground with tennis courts, climbing frames and a swimming pool. Mrs Harmer will be please to know that swimming lessons are compulsory (for everyone!!) and are every day during the summer season. There are trees in the playground and they are allowed to climb them! There are no bump notes - just a cuddle and a rub better. The lessons are often outside on the steps of the classroom and twice a week they have the whole school doing jump jam in the playground - which is like an areobics lesson. Most of the children dont wear shoes once they arrive at school, some of them even walk to school without them. The children are so polite, well mannered and so happy. I am hoping some of this will rub off on ours! The principle greets and chats to the parents at home time. Its definetly another world. The kids have all joined the next class up here, so Sam and Joe who were due to start year 5 in september in the UK have started year 5 here but that finishes in December, so there will be some catching up to do.
All of the school went around the village yesterday collecting litter and making sure that the area is kept clean and tidy.
Martin has enjoyed his first week and work, only managed to trap his finger in the clamp once!!
He is finding it a bit difficult at the moment to go at the same pace as the Kiwis, but is sure he will get into it.
We are still staying at the mount and will be here now until the 2nd October when we move into the new house in Omokoroa. I am looking forward to that as it takes about 45 mins to get to school in the morning at the moment as we have to go through the city centre and lots of road works. As they start at 8.30 we have to get up quite early. They finish school at 2.30 though so it gives them time to play after school. This week we have played ball on the beach and had a swim in the pool. Life is good so far! Cant wait for the summer. See you next week.x

As promised some photos of where we are now. We are staying in the 1st of the 2 towers at the bottom of the mount. As you can see it is a fabulous area and is lovely at the moment as its really quiet as it is still winter. When we were here last time it was really busy as this the place that new zealanders holiday.
We had a walk on the beach today and climbed on a few rocks.


Sam has been collecting the shells, the beach is full of them so there are some really good ones to find. We walked all the way around the bottom of the mount today and at the ba ck a seal was inland sunbathing between the rocks. we couldnt get a picture though as it kept dipping in and out of the water. This is how we spent martin's first day at work!
Martin now has his work visa so we can start getting in to a routine. We are off to Omokoroa school tomorrow for a visit. The kids are looking forward to it and Jess is certain she will make a friend as soon as she arrives.