The Star: September 08, 2016

40 Thursday September 8 2016
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The Star
Springing into a new era of parenthood
WITH LAST week boasting a
superb bout of spring sunshine,
we took advantage of the
glorious weather and spent
Saturday afternoon at the
beach.
Armed with buckets, spades
and a massive shovel, we met
some friends on the sand and let
the kids go crazy. My other half
spent close to two hours continuously
digging tunnels, creating
trenches and bolstering walls.
The girls were sent on missions
to collect feathers, kelp, sticks,
or whatever they could find to
decorate their fortress.
With a further hour of the kids
playing in, on and around their
creation, us parents simply sat
back and watched it all unfold.
Such a fun and relaxing way to
wind down after a long week.
It was only then that I reflected
and realised that this was
possibly the beach trip since
embarking on our parenting
career that didn’t involve a good
hour of organising togs, wetsuits,
blankets, nappies, spare clothes,
towels and copious amounts of
food. Nor did we have to factor
in naps, snacks or bedtime routines.
It was awesome.
We were laden with only
one bag containing a couple of
towels, drink bottles and some
snacks. And if we felt like more,
we had a cafe within walking
distance. Easy as.
With our youngest twin girls
fast approaching their third
birthday, they are now at an
age where their independence
FUN:
Building a
fortress in
the sand.
is flourishing by the day. They
know not to go crashing into the
waves with their clothes on, and
that they can forage through the
backpack for snacks and drinks
whenever they feel hungry.
They are becoming more confident
in their own space (though
still close to each other) and love
to kick it with the “big girls”
rather than be close to our side.
For us, this is huge. The
watchful eyes, clock-watching
and scheduling that comes with
having babies now seems to have
officially gone.
The fact we were at the beach
within 30 minutes of making our
decision reinforced that the days
of routine are pretty much over,
and we are now in a new era.
Although we know that getting
four girls under seven out
the door will still present some
logistical challenges, Saturday
afternoon provided us with the
realisation that we are well and
truly on the other side of babyhood.
Of course, we will still pack
bags and organise drinks and
snacks, but it’s not such a big
thing if an afternoon slides by
and we decide to have fish ‘n’
chips on the beach rather than
rush home for the 5pm dinner,
bath and bed routine.
With that in mind, we are
looking forward to a summer of
more freedom and spontaneity
than we’ve had in the last seven
years. And while I feel somewhat
nostalgic about leaving
those years behind, I am equally
excited for the adventures that
lie ahead and look forward to the
next chapter in our lives.
Cheers to that, and roll on the
summer daze!
GETAWAY TO ALPINE TRIANGLE
Sup soak ski sea
Within tWo hour’s drive north of
Christchurch, the triangular Alpine Pacific
touring route includes an appealing
diversity in summer or winter and
encompasses places to sup, soak, ski or sea!
First stop is Amberley which was first
established to service the surrounding
farming district. Make time for its 200m
heritage walk which encapsulates 150 years
of local history, happenings and heroes and
sip a delectable coffee from the popular
nor’wester Café!
Sup
At Waipara, almost 20 vineyards and
wineries produce a variety of Pinot noir,
Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvigonon
Blanc vintages. You’ll find award winning
boutique properties as well as large
prestigious vineyards like Pegasus Bay and
Waipara hills which are along the main
highway.
turn inland through the Weka Pass,
where a private steam train operates at
weekends for nostalgic enthusiasts and
the 1860 hurunui hotel is the oldest
continuously licensed pub in the country.
Extraordinary memorabilia adorns its walls
and its rooms are reputedly inhabited by a
ghost!
Soak
hanmer Springs lures people year-round
to its pool complex and alpine village.
Boasting 12 thermal pools, swimming
pool, waterslides, private thermal pools,
sauna and steam facilities and luxurious
spa treatments, aches and pains are
miraculously soaked away. Enjoy the café at
the pool complex or discover the variety of
restaurants in the village from pub to posh.
Ski
Surrounded by river, forest and mountains
there are opportunities to hike, bike, horse
trek, fish, boat, bungy or play golf. in winter
hanmer and Mt Lyford ski fields offer
accessible and affordable skiing and snow
boarding with ski school, ski hire, on field
accommodation and terrain to suit all levels
of ability.
Sea
The road from hanmer to Mt Lyford
continues to coastal Kaikoura, named by
Maori for its abundant crayfish. Kaikoura’s
association with the sea has developed
in modern times to become a “must do”
whale watching experience and an eco
marine environment that is home to Dusky
dolphins, pelagic birds and Southern Right,
humpback, Bryde, Blue and orca whales
which can be viewed from the air or on the
water.
Visit Kaikoura Museum and Fyffe house
for an absorbing history of the town’s
whaling past or Maurice Manawatu’s tour
for a wonderful perspective on 900 years
of Maori settlement. on land there are
limestone caves, farm tours, horse trekking,
mountain biking or walking trails to
explore. But whatever you see and do, be
sure to taste the crayfish at nin’s Bin caravan
just north of the town! Enjoy.
Visit www.hurunui.co.nz and
www.kaikoura.co.nz for more information
Kaikoura’s Marine Combo
3 Awesome activities for one special price!
All three
for under $400
$396
Huge savings
of $99!
Kaikoura is a marine
lovers paradise with marine
mammal encounters available
all year round above, on and
below the water.
For voucher enquiries please
call 0800 655 121 or email
reservations@whalewatch.co.nz
www.whalewatch.co.nz