Life's twists and turns

Isn't life a funny wee beast?

2013 finds us taking stock, tightening our belts even further and dreaming big. I have been perusing Tiny Houses, caravans, house trucks and motor homes   I've fallen in love with Tiny Homes but think that a Caravan or Motor home may be the road we take.

I have been reading a blog today written by a wonderfully adventurous (well she seems so to me at least) woman who is doing what I would dearly love to do... her blog can be found here. My DH has consented to picking up sticks in about 3 years time and touring our beautiful country with me so we now have a goal to work towards.

The idea of downsizing and in the process de-cluttering appeals alot, so much so that I have begun divesting our home of bits and pieces. Each item I get rid of by donating, listing for auction or just simply throwing away leaves me feeling just a little bit freer. 

New Year Camping Trip

This week we found ourselves making a beeline for Manatutu Hot Springs Camp Site in the Kaweka Forest Park where we tested our tent pitching abilities. I'm pleased to say that both tents stayed up through some strong winds during the night. 

The Department of Conservations (aka DOC) website indicated that there was water available from a stream, unfortunately the stream was a decent 20 minute distance away down a rather steep trail which left a few of us feeling a bit jittery when it came to climbing down and up again.

 

Once we'd climbed down we found that there were some nice places downstream which looked like they could be good swimming spots. The hot pools lived up to their names, we all had a short dip in them (we suspect they would be cooler or perhaps more comfortable during colder weather).

As we have a total fire ban at present which extended to our camping spot we used our primus very carefully and enjoyed american hotdogs :0) There is nothing quite like enjoying a cup of tea made in a billy!