To Grandmother’s house we go

My mom is from New Zealand, so every year or so we go over to visit Grandma. She lives on a beautiful island off the coast of Auckland. It’s hilarious, all the millionaires have discovered it now, but my grandparents bought their house back in the sixties when only hippies and retirees lived there.

So Grandma’s house resides sandwiched between two mansions, her cute but falling apart, little bungalow wedged right in the middle.

The house is so old my aunt jokes that that house is starting to slide down the hill into the neighbors. Even if it did they wouldn’t notice; Grandma is literally surrounded in bush. You feel as if you’re in the Amazon, as you thread your way down the footpath to her house. I don’t think anyone would know she’s back there unless you happened to notice the mailbox perched jauntily by the side of the road.

My favorite thing to do when I go to New Zealand is to eat and pet sheep. Seriously in that order. I don’t know what it is, but the food in New Zealand tastes so divine! I’ve had the best gluten free bread of my life there. I wish I could bottle it up and ship it back to the states! There are a few places where you can pet the sheep, but it seems sheep are rapidly being replaced by vineyards. The vineyards are beautiful. I have yet to take a tour of one, but it’s on my list of things to do.

Speaking of vineyards…part of going to New Zealand includes Grandma’s 4 o’clock happy hour. She buys the bulk wine that comes in the 3 gallon boxes and my Mom, her and sometimes my Aunt slip back into the past with their numerous stories. The longer the wine is poured the louder things become. I stand back and watch. Half the time I have no idea of whom they are talking about. Grandma chats about one couple whose names were Spry and Vi Gloistein. No joke. They were one of my Grandparents besties, so funny. You just can’t make this stuff up.

My Grandma knows everybody. She is the sweetest, kindest, most open women you could ever meet. And somehow she manages to persuade strangers to do the craziest stuff for her! But that is another blog post entirely.

It is an amazing place to visit and explore. Here are a few pictures from my trip. I’ve included a few of the local flora and fauna:

Have any of you ever been to New Zealand? I’d love to hear about it! Follow me on FB or twitter so we can connect!

Love,

Genevieve XOXO