We arrived in Kinloch on Lake Taupo (largest lake in Ao/NZ) on Dec 19th for a 2.5 week pet sit. It was a little rainy but I think we had enough to keep them busy. 🦴
The dogs are labraspoodles - labrador + spaniel + poodle. This is Milla.🐕🦺
This is Mac (I had several nicknames for him after the first week: Scamp, Bandit, Shadow, Buddy, MacMac....) and Richie McCaw, an 18 year old cat with a bent ear named after an All Black rugby player. 🏉
We found this tree made of succulents at the Gisborne market a few weeks earlier. We carefully transported it across the island to enjoy it for our Christmas in Kinloch. 🎄
We went over to the town of Taupo (25 minutes away) to check it out. ⛵️
We went to the Saturday market and picked popcorn and a new friend. 🤗
Pretty day to play in the yard. 🐾
The Kinloch Community Association had a choir and sing-along carols. Santa made it! 🎅🏻
We had fun singing along. 🎶🎵
The Kinloch beach on a gorgeous day. 📸
Nice walking track along the Whangamata Stream. 🥾
Got fancy with a frittata. 💃
Steve met a man named Greg on a bike trail and he invited us to go fishing for trout on Lake Taupo. It was the first time I had ever been fishing. Greg had all the gear and knew where to go so Steve caught a trout in the first 10 minutes. 😳
And I got to (after some instruction) drive the boat! ⚓️
Another one that didn't get away. 🐟
We enjoyed hearing Greg's stories about visiting this lake since childhood. It was a beautiful day. 📸
I forgot to mention that the fishing trip was on Christmas Eve and Greg invited us to tea with his family. This turned out to be a full dinner (including the trout) with 3 generations! We were so honored to be included. We had a grand time getting to know them and sharing a delicious meal. We have been so lucky to meet so many wonderful people on our travels. We tried to pay it forward when we could. 🤩
Christmas Eve sunset over Lake Taupo. 🌅
The dogs had holiday bandanas and presents. 🎁
We were invited to an 8am Christmas dip in the lake. We all walked in together holding hands and had to stay in for 5 minutes. It was a bit chilly but very fun. 👫
The pet owners introduced us to their friends Dennis and Anne across the street and they were so kind to invite us to several things (including the dip mentioned above). Dennis invited Steve to a 'coffee and cars' club in town. He picked Steve up in his 2002 Corvette and drove to the meeting spot on the lake. There were about a dozen there and among them were a 1956 Bel Air, 1956 Thunderbird, Stingray Corvette, and a drag car. Apparently, they all squealed their wheels when they left. No photos since I didn't attend. 🏁
Dennis and Anne also invited us for 'nibbles' with their weekly crew. 😋
We had fun hearing the stories. 😉
The dogs and I found a small lake in the neighborhood. 🐾
Steve went to the Taupo Rodeo on Dec 29th. He took this photo of the enormous cotton candy (called candy floss here). 🍭
I am posting this on the penultimate day of the year and since most of you are in the northern hemisphere, I hope you are as cozy as Richie is here. Happy New Year! 🥳
