Look out England, 2/5ths of them are coming back!!

Yes! As we speak/write/read Chantelle and Eric are winging their way across the planet back to the UK. We went down en masse to see them off at the airport and to have a mini-break in Auckland as well.
We stayed at Waiwera on Friday and Saturday night in a tiny cabin right on the shore. It was pretty much the cheapest place that Chantelle could find, but was quite adequate for our needs: a bed each, a light and a couple of electric sockets to plug a jug and a lappie into. Toilets a stones throw away and a kitchen to cook a meal in. Lovely view out into the Hibiscus coast and only half an hour into Auckland.
We all trotted off to MOTAT on Saturday. A quaint NZ style museum full of intersting pieces, but also som good hands-on interactive stuff for the boys. The pull was the robot activities which sounded pretty good, design your own and program bots. The reality was not as impressive, but well organised by friendly staff. The boys and C all enjoyed a tour of the tactile dome. I stayed out to look after the passports and air-tickets. It was some sort of adventure circuit all done in the dark and judging by the great grins on everyones' faces as they left, it must have been fun.
Eric was getting increasingly twitchy by this point even though it was T-5 hours, so we meandered our way to the airport. Said our goodbyes and tried to find the motorway back to Waiwera.
Paddy was oblivious to the fact that Mum and Eric were't there as he had picked up a fantastic Pirate Lego boat using the remains of his birthday money. He spent most of the next 24 hours building it, keeping us informed of his progress and only requesting help for the really tricky bits. It has now been demolished in a fit of pique after it got slightly damaged on the way back from Mike and Rissy's.
Stuart was in floods of tears 5 minutes after leaving the airport. He is apparently not going to smile for the next 3 weeks until they return.
We went to the flash Waiwera infinity Hot pools to take our mind off things/ have fun/ have a bath. At $30 for 1 adult and 2 kids after a discount, I don't think we'll be going there every week, but it was hot, there were lots of different pools and the boys enjoyed it.
Had a good trip back up north this morning stopping off at Koanga Gardens on the way. Just like so many places in the UK, but perhaps less aloof and more friendly. I could have spent a fortune on seeds, books, tools etc, but confined myself to a few packets of heirloom seeds including Ponsonby Red tomatoes and Black popcorn. Look out for the harvest pictures in 9 months time.
The house was still here when we got home ( a relief), with no obvious signs of cat diarrhoea (an even greater relief). Still no lambs and I am resigning myself to a lambless spring and a need to be better organised next year.
Stuart is away on his camp tomorrow and then it will just be Paddy and myself keeping the place ticking over.