New Zealand

Two days ago we arrived home after a fantastic holiday in New Zealand. Here are a few pics of some highlights: an early morning run in Auckland (above).
A visit to Hobbiton:



Walking in an ancient forest:



Sightseeing in Napier, a city full of art deco buildings and street art - what more could you wish for? (they also have jacarandas!)





And last but not least, spending a few days near majestic Mount Ruapehu, hiking and moutainbiking in Tongariro National Park:



I brought my Happy Whirl shawl and got quite a few rows done. This project is nearing its end!



We also did two parkruns in New Zealand, which brought my total this year to 30, and overall to 40!



With only two hours to go here in Queensland until the start of 2019, I would like to wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

Auckland Festival of Quilts 2016

From 2 until 6 November I was in New Zealand, as I was asked to be one of the judges at the Auckland Festival of Quilts 2016. My fellow judges were Chris Kenna and Marion Manson.



The three of us were unanimous in our decision to award Best of Show to this quilt, No Entry by Norma Slabbert:



We were very impressed by the strong, original design and the impeccable hand and machine quilting in this piece:



This is my Judge's Choice: Frida No.2 by Ngaire Fleming:



I also loved the other judges' choices. This is Chris Kenna's: Watermark by Alison Laurence:



And Marion Manson's: Blue Illusion by Cheryl Houston:



There were lots and lots of fabulous quilts, and the prize winners should be up on the website of the Auckland Quilt Guild soon. I'll just show one more - a quilt made for the Guild Challenge 'Gone to Pieces', Visa. Mastercard by Jo Hollings. It won the award for Most Quirky Quilt. I love it!



The judges were asked to bring a few small samples of their own work - here is my judge's exhibit:



I had one day to do some sightseeing in Auckland and enjoyed wandering around with my camera. Here I've caught the reflection of the Sky Tower in the windows of an office building:



I also spotted some street art - one of my favourite subjects to photograph. More pics of Auckland can be found on my photo blog.



I had a wonderful time in Auckland - it was lovely to be away from all the moving stress for a little while. Many thanks to the Auckland Quilt Guild for inviting me, and especially to my wonderful hosts Chris and Terry for providing a home away from home!

New Zealand

Last week I had the most fabulous mini holiday in New Zealand. It was wonderful to see my best friend and her family again after almost three years. And wat a stunningly beautiful country!



With my friend and her three girls (the same age as my boys) I did a 3-hour beach and cliff top walk - and a pod of dolphins swam along with us for most of the way!



We found this piece of beach art :-)



Near Matakana I saw this beautiful horse sculpture:



Of course there were lots of ferns:



For my friend's birthday I had made her a Dutch post bag. She loved it :-)



On the last day of my stay, Mathea and Charlotte came down from Kerikeri to visit. I have 'known' both of them for years through their blogs, Facebook and email, but it was lovely to finally meet them IRL.



More photos of New Zealand can be found on my photo blog.