August at A Deer Cottage – A Little Time Away, Family, Friendship & Making Memories

Aug 31

7 min read

Hello again from Angela and Te Kani!

This month's blog is coming to you from Melbourne, Australia, where we have escaped the New Zealand winter for some very precious time with our daughters and our beautiful grandsons.

After the months we've had, this trip has been something we have both been looking forward to enormously.

For now, I have put my heart worries back in New Zealand and am trying very hard to simply enjoy being here. My next cardiology appointment is on 8 September, and until then, I'm giving myself permission to concentrate on something rather more important... family, laughter, cuddles and making memories.

And we certainly have been doing that!

Grandchildren, Games & Precious Family Time

There is something very special about being a grandparent.

The days seem to revolve around playing games, laughing, eating, talking, and simply enjoying being together. It is amazing how quickly time passes when you are surrounded by your children and grandchildren, and we are trying to soak up every minute.

A Family Day at the Aquarium

We also enjoyed a wonderful family day out with Briar, Kellie and the boys at the Melbourne Aquarium. It was such a lovely experience watching the boys' excitement as we wandered through the underwater world together. From the colourful fish and fascinating sea life to the bigger creatures, there was something for all of us to enjoy. I think the grown-ups may have been just as fascinated as the little ones!

It was one of those simple family days that doesn't need anything elaborate — just being together, seeing the boys' faces light up, sharing a few laughs and enjoying something new together. These are the moments we will remember long after we've returned home to New Zealand.

We recently had the opportunity to spend a couple of lovely days staying in Murroon, near the Otway Ranges, at a beautiful bed and breakfast.

There was no great agenda and no rushing from one attraction to another.

We simply played games, relaxed and enjoyed being together.

Sometimes the best holidays are the ones where you don't actually do very much at all.

A Little Melbourne Nostalgia

Being back in Melbourne has also brought back some wonderful memories from my younger days.

When I lived here in my early twenties, I made some very special friendships, and it has been lovely to reconnect with people who have been part of my life for so many years.

We've caught up with old friends, which has been incredibly special.

One particularly meaningful visit was to Dromana Cemetery, at the base of Arthur's Seat, where we visited my dear friend Evan's burial place.

There is something quite moving about returning to somewhere connected with someone you loved and remembering the life and friendship you shared.

Afterwards, we had dinner with friends at an old favourite of mine, the Dava Hotel.

It was one of those evenings that reminds you that some friendships really do stand the test of time. Years can pass, lives change, and yet when you sit around a table together, it can feel as though no time has passed at all.

We spent an evening at the Queen Victoria Market night food market, with Lily and Baelie, enjoying the atmosphere, food and all the wonderful sights and sounds that make Melbourne such a vibrant city.

Special friendships are such precious things.

Family, Food & More Catching Up

At the beginning of our trip, we also caught up with two of Te Kani's nieces and enjoyed a lovely lunch together. We also caught up with Te Kani's nephew and his family who were unable to make the lunch.

It has been wonderful having the opportunity to see family while we are here, particularly after such a difficult year.

Today we are heading out to visit some very old friends, whose parents were cared for by my late Mum back in New Zealand.

Their daughter is now in her nineties, and the friendship has continued across the years.

I find that incredibly special.

My Mum's kindness and caring for others created connections that have continued long after she was gone. It is lovely to see those friendships still flourishing all these years later.

Later today, we're off to collect Lily and head into Melbourne.

There are, of course, some very important errands to attend to...

Buttons!

I'm in the middle of recreating a jumper for Te Kani.

I dismantled the original jumper and began recreating it, only to discover that I didn't have enough 100% natural wool to finish the job. So I've had to source some new wool to complete it.

It is turning into a very unique jumper indeed!

I'm rather enjoying the challenge, and I'm determined to get it finished. Today we'll hopefully find the perfect buttons to complete it.

And after that?

We're spending the weekend with Lily, with hopefully a visit to a Speak Easy bar on the cards.

There may even be a little more Melbourne mischief involved!

A Little Melbourne Mystery

And we did manage to have our little Speakeasy adventure!

Lily, Te Kani and I headed out to Fall From Grace, a wonderfully hidden Speakeasy beneath State of Grace in Melbourne. The fun began before we had even arrived at our table — we entered through a bookshelf, which made the whole experience feel like we had stepped into a little secret world!

We enjoyed a lovely meal, some delicious drinks and, most importantly, a wonderful evening together. There was something quite magical about discovering somewhere so unexpected, and sharing the experience with Lily made it even more special.

Remembering Those We've Lost

While this trip has been full of happiness, there has also been sadness.

Yesterday, Te Kani lost another first cousin, following the heartbreaking loss of two of his cousin's siblings earlier this year.

It has been an incredibly difficult time for their family, and our hearts are with them.

We have also been thinking of our dear friend Jim Blackburn, whose funeral we recently watched via livestream.

Jim celebrated his 100th birthday at the end of July, and we feel incredibly fortunate that we had the opportunity to spend time with him and celebrate that wonderful milestone before leaving for Australia.

Those memories are now even more precious.

His 100th birthday was filled with family, friendship, laughter, stories and love. We will always be grateful that we were able to say goodbye properly and create those cherished memories with him.

Life really does remind us to treasure the people we have while we have them.

Leaving the Worries Behind — Just for a Little While

Perhaps the biggest gift of this trip has been allowing myself to step away from my worries, even if only temporarily.

The health questions will still be there when we return to New Zealand.

The cardiology appointment will come.

There will be more conversations and, hopefully, more answers.

But right now, I'm in Melbourne.

I'm with my daughters.

I'm cuddling my grandsons.

I'm laughing with old friends.

I'm remembering people who have shaped my life.

I'm sewing a very unusual jumper for my husband.

I'm hunting for buttons.

I'm playing games.

And I'm trying to be completely present in all of it.

Perhaps that's something we all need to remember from time to time.

We don't have to solve tomorrow today.

Sometimes we can simply enjoy today.

A Deer Cottage – Waiting for Us Back Home

While we're away, I still find myself thinking about A Deer Cottage.

I wonder what the gardens are doing.

I wonder how the sunsets have been.

I wonder whether the chickens and ducks are behaving themselves!

And I think about the guests who have stayed with us and the many beautiful memories that have been created there.

A Deer Cottage was created to be a peaceful place — somewhere to step away from the busyness of everyday life, breathe deeply, enjoy the countryside, watch the sunset and simply be.

And perhaps, more than ever, I understand the importance of that now.

Sometimes we all need somewhere to slow down.

Sometimes we need a quiet garden, a beautiful view, a comfortable bed and a little time to ourselves.

And sometimes we need to travel hundreds of kilometres to hug our grandchildren!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/772417_181e29895cd846e1b055aa0be52826ad/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Our gorgeous oudoor bath magical little haven ❤️

Whatever brings you to the beautiful Kaipara region, we would love to welcome you to A Deer Cottage when we return home, and if you would like to find out more about A Deer Cottage you can do so here

A great little spot to unwind & relax ❤️

Until then, we are making the most of every precious moment here in Australia.

Until Next Month...

August has reminded me once again that life is a mixture of joy and sadness, old friendships and new memories, family celebrations and farewells.

We cannot control all of life's circumstances.

But we can choose to notice the good moments when they arrive.

And right now, I'm very grateful for every one of them.

From our family to yours, thank you for continuing to follow our journey.

We look forward to returning to A Deer Cottage, our little piece of paradise in the hills of Kaukapakapa overlooking the Kaipara Harbour, and welcoming our guests home again.

Until next month...

Warmest wishes,