Hey everybody, once again, I want to start by sending strength and hugs to all of you. ❤️ These are still turbulent times and we need each other to get through them. Thank you for the outreach. 💪

This covers 3 weeks so is a longer post.

We were fortunate to go back to the village of Kinloch on the north shore of Lake Taupo. This was another repeat pet sit for us. These are the previous posts about Christmas in Kinloch and Kicking it in Kinloch.

We drove 5 hours northeast from New Plymouth on Jan 19th. 🚙

We were excited to see our furry friends Mac and Milla again (sadly Richie had crossed the rainbow bridge). Rex and Donna waved as they left on their campervan adventure. 👋

Mac checked out his new toy. 🧸

Milla enjoyed her Santa Duck. She could hold that for hours. 🐤

I got to enjoy the pro espresso machine. ☕️

The rain started on the second day ....

... and continued for many days. Thank goodness for Sky Sport, good books,  and the Australian Open. 🎾

It kept raining. 🌧️

So, not a lot happened the first week except lots of world class tennis and reading. 📚

However, the rainy weather didn't stop us from joining in the local 'dippers' club in Lake Taupo (8am on Mon and Fri). Belinda was very enthusiastic even if the water was cold. ✌️

The rain stopped for a bit so we headed back down to the lake ... 

... and ran around with the dogs. 🐶

The last time we visited, Dennis picked Steve up for the local Cars & Coffee Club in his white Corvette but he had replaced it with a yellow Holden. They went to check out other cars and talk about painted engines, carburetors, and other car stuff. 🏎️

Dennis and Anne came over for happy hour on nice afternoon. 🤗

Steve made delicious hand pies (blackberry, cherry, and rhubarb options) and I made a cheese plate. 😋

Why pet one dog when you can pet two?! 😍

The sun came back strong. 😎

Milla dug into the toy box and came out with a collar. 🐶

Clear skies meant we could see Mt Ruapehu the way across the lake (about 80 km / 50 mi). ⛰

We rode over to the Kinloch Golf resort for lunch at the cafe. ⛳️

We drove to the Seven Oaks development west of us to check out the views. 📸

I volunteered at the local one day music festival, Kinstock. 🎵

It was a spectacular day and the bands were fun. 🎶

We joined the dance party and again, Belinda was enthusiastic. ✌️

Another beautiful day so we headed over to Huka Falls and enjoyed some passionfruit ice cream. 🍦

Not sure what we did but Mac was very tired. 💤

More rain did not stop the dip! 💦

Another clear day so we checked out the Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary cafe for lunch. ⛳️

Tiny! 🚙

The neighbors Dave and Kay were so kind to invite us over for dinner. Some of the best lamb we ever had! 😋

After dipping in the lake and dancing at Kinstock together, Darren and Belinda came over for coffee and tea. We looked forward to catching up with her sister when we get to Gore on the South Island (she was visiting during Kinstock). 🤗

Happy for another beautiful day and walkies! 🐶

The last dip for this visit (not sure whey I look so pained ... the water wasn't that cold). 👋

Picture perfect walk along the Whangamata Stream. 📸

We went to Taupo for the Waitangi Day holiday festivities.

Every year on 6 February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. In that year, representatives of the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs signed what is often considered to be New Zealand’s founding document. The day was first officially commemorated in 1934 and it has been a public holiday since 1974.

A 42 second video singing Willie Nelson's Georgia but with te reo Maori words.

We found a new spot in Kinloch to see the sunset over the lake. 🌅

Later that night, the stars were incredible and the Milky Way put on a show. 💫

I broke down and got a wetsuit for the rest of our trip. The Pacific Ocean was cold and I wanted to be able to stay in for longer than a few minutes. I picked one up in Taupo so thought I would try it out in the lake. 👏

It felt pretty good and the dogs enjoyed the short car ride from the house to the lake. 🚙

This was our last day with them, February 8th, , but we have just planned another sit with them in late November / early December 2026 so see you in a few months friends! 🐾