Hackett Hut walk

As we are getting into the great outdoors, we decide to do a walk with the kids to stay in a DOC [department of conservation] Hut there are different types of huts but most of them are quite basic,  its a shelter, no gas or water [you take your own in] bunks and mattress, wood burner [in some] some also do have gas and water but these are more on the "great walks".  We headed off to Hackett Hut which was a basic one.  It was about 2.5 hour walk for the kids and they did really well.  We were the only ones in the hut for the night [except for a possum visitor and a couple of cheeky Weka Birds.

 Started with a swing bridge, crossing over the river

not far to the hut and clay takes a photo

Tegan claims her top bunk

lots of wood for the wood burner [bit to warm for that]  but we do a campfire outside, just boiling up some water from the river

2 cheeky Weka birds who first pinch our dish cloth and then take off with Tegans knickers [which we hung out to try after she fell into the river]  Not happy with either of those they take a liking to her famous sparkly skirt.  Kids thought it was hilarious, and very entertaining

Kids watching the Weka birds, wrapped up in sleeping bags 

Tegan getting the hang of the outdoor camping

our possum visitor that came in the night

breakfast, good old porridge

the kids getting stuck into their porridge before we head back the net day

Quinnys Bush campsite

Strange name I know, but great place, went there for the weekend, about 1hour out of nelson and what a place, this is the slide that they have placed by the River, 

Haydn testing it out before taking the plunge

all getting ready

Tegan back tracking

Clay was second in [after me I might add]

Tegan praticing her swinging instead

Gorgeous{the water that it is] 

The kids had a ball, wooden obstacle  courses, flying fox [Zip wire] , BBQs, bike tracks, collect our own wood from the woods.  Great

Nelson Maitai River

On the way to school, we walk over the maitai River and this was our stop on the way home from first day at school.  Rope Swing mission

clay gives it ago

and yes Haydn did to it as well, not just for show!

and in full sparkling regalia also flys over the water.  

Nelson Central school

Hi Everyone, here we are in Nelson and I am abit behind in the blogging,but time is going so fast.  The kids are now at nelson Central School and they are slowly finding there feet, our hearts definitely went out to them on their first few days, they were so brave and just got on with it and 6 weeks later the fact that kids really are resilient and just get on with it, really does show.  they often talk about their mates back in England but are also making some new ones.  So some photos!!

Tegan on her first day, this is the playground in front of her room, below is Renwick house, Tegans room is on the left, very sweet 

the school library and entrance into the school

school swimming pool and clayton [nearest to wall] doing a mini sports day

Tegans class comes to watch the year 3 & 4s in their swimming

Purple cake day, fundraising day started by a Nelson Woman last year, after loosing her husband and 2 of her 3 children in the Haiti earthquake.  raising money throughout NZ and other countries

Tegan at the front of the school on school field, clays classroom is far right on this picture