January Reflections – Travel, Family, and the Comfort of Coming Home
- adeercottage
- Jan 28
- 4 min read
January has been a month of contrasts for us — full hearts, dramatic landscapes, extreme weather, and finally, the deep comfort of being home again at A Deer Cottage.
We returned to New Zealand on January 10th after a wonderful trip through Australia and Japan, where the greatest joy was spending time with our children and their families. Time together is always precious, and this trip reminded us just how much those moments matter.
In Australia, our visits with both our daughters were brief, just a few extra days on either side of the journey, but we packed every moment with family time — conversations, laughter, shared meals, and the simple pleasure of being together, even if only for a short while.
While we were away, we were also blessed with beautiful news from home. Our youngest son, who was back in New Zealand, shared the wonderful announcement that he and his newly fiancée became engaged at our bach at Bland Bay. We couldn’t have imagined a more special place for such a moment, and we are delighted to welcome her into our family. It was a joyful reminder that even when we are far away, life’s most meaningful milestones continue to unfold.
Japan was a very different pace and experience. We were fortunate to spend time with our son and his family, and I touched on some of this in our December blog — the bright energy of Shibuya, the iconic beauty of Mt Fuji, magical days at Disneyland and DisneySea, and even snow falling back at our son’s home.
One of the most meaningful moments for us was returning to the same Shinto Shrine where we had attended a beautiful ceremony when our granddaughter was born. Now, three and a half years later, we were able to be part of another gorgeous blessing for her. Standing there again, with more memories layered onto the old ones, felt incredibly special and deeply moving.
We also had the privilege of helping the local villagers clean the local Shinto Shrine in preparation for New Year’s Day — a quiet, humbling experience that made us feel part of something much bigger than ourselves. It was a reminder of the importance of community, tradition, and care for shared spaces.
Adding to the richness of our time there, our son’s neighbour came over and prepared a magnificent venison feast. He is a local hunter and had caught a Sika deer near their home. The meal was generous, beautifully cooked, and shared with such warmth — another moment where food, story, and connection came together in a way we’ll always remember.
On New Year’s Day, and Te Kani's birthday, we travelled to Tottori, home to the extraordinary Sand Museum, where every exhibition is created entirely from sand and water. The artistry and scale were breathtaking. We also took a walk to the famous sand dunes overlooking the Sea of Japan — a surreal sight, with snow blanketing the dunes. Snow and sand together felt almost impossible, yet there it was, stark and beautiful.
Returning to Melbourne brought us face-to-face with a very different reality. On January 9th, devastating bushfires swept through areas around Longwood. We were staying with family in Surrey Hills, and one of the neighbouring homes was directly affected when, in the extreme 45-degree heat, a tree combusted and crashed through the roof. Homes and animals were lost across the region. Even in inner Melbourne, the fires were impossible to ignore — the smoke hung heavy in the air, the smell lingered everywhere, and the emotional weight was palpable. The far-reaching effects of those fires were sobering, and our thoughts remain with all those who were impacted.
Back home in Kaukapakapa, Auckland, we have barely had time to unpack before facing our own challenges. Our hearts have been heavy knowing what is happening across parts of New Zealand, extreme weather here has brought flooding and slips, affecting daily life and livelihoods.
The devastating weather events have resulted in six people confirmed missing following the Mount Maunganui slip, two lives lost in another landslide, and one person lost in the floods in Warkworth. Our deepest condolences go out to all those affected — the families, friends, and communities dealing with unimaginable loss during what has been a very challenging time. Our family bach remains cut off due to flooding and slips, with access limited to locals navigating narrow, winding roads. Nature has certainly been reminding us who is in charge this summer.
And yet — this morning the sun is shining. Last night, seeing A Deer Cottage’s gorgeous views again filled me with such gratitude. There’s something deeply grounding about being home, especially after weeks of movement and uncertainty. With all the warm, wet weather, the garden and lawns are calling out for a serious makeover, and we’re slowly settling back into the rhythms of life here.
As we move into the rest of the year, we’re looking forward to welcoming both familiar faces and new guests to A Deer Cottage. If you’re craving fresh air, peaceful views, and a chance to slow down and reconnect — whether for a short escape or a longer stay — we’d love to host you. Keep an eye on our availability, and feel free to get in touch if you’re planning a visit north of Auckland to gorgeous Kaukapakapa. If you wish to find out more click here
Until next time, when we share our February blog, we look forward to being more organised, more settled, and fully grounded back at home. We hope wherever you are, you are safe, warm, and finding moments of beauty in the everyday.
Warm wishes,Angela & Kani
A Deer Cottage, Kaukapakapa 🦌❤️🦌
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