Happy New Year to you all.

May 2010 bring many experiences that allow us to heighten and engage own inner awareness towards peace, harmony and prosperity.

Living In The Maniototo

‘All I had experienced, all the stories I had read or dreamed came to me the moment I, a stranger, turned the key in the lock of the unknown house.’ Janet Frame

“The magnificent plain of the upper Taieri came into view with small lake down below in the mainstream. The plain is bounded in the north by lofty and bold mountains of the Kurow, Ida and St Bathans. To the west lay a serrated ridge, with high mountains beyond. To the south lay the Rock and Pillar Range and the Serpentine” John Turnbull Thomson 1857.

A taste of the Maniototo for us as we cycle our way through the vibrant history of this magnificent area in Feb, 2010.

Its always good to have the time to reflect but so often as our lives speed up, reflection and true relaxation go out the window. Particularly as Xmas nears and most of us feel the pressure to rush at a thousand miles per hour towards it.

Its a funny ole thing. Both my children are home at the moment and its good to have the feeling of family and connectedness. My son is on Uni hols and my daughter has just completed her first year of NCEA exams. Young people making their mark.

Here’s to the Xmas’s of old.Where as a child it seemed like forever… until the sleepless excited night and stomach full of butterflies that we awoke our parents in the early hours of Xmas day to open presents under tree with the smell of fresh pine needles and visual feast of colourful packages. To roast chicken, fresh peas, new potatoes and trifles and pavs.

Have a fantastic Xmas and may we slow the moments to make more of the memories.