Rocking Rchmond

From San Francisco we headed through to Richmond Virginian to see some of the most fabulous people in the world! We flew through to Washington DC only to miss the connecting train and so decided to rent a car and head for Richmond... only to end up in a dubious motel at 1:45am... but the following day we hunted down Lee Ann and Dan Timms and proceeded to have 2 absolutely fabulous days together!

They are here in the states with their awesome band - SACRED STAND! (www.sacredstand.com) We were able to hang out with the band and spend genuine quality time with the great couple who are officially pregnant.

What a great few days with special friends and an awesome band!

Yosemite

Yosemite national park - the jewel of the States!

Where does one even begin to explain a place where waterfalls cascade down 5000 foot granite walls, where these massive granite mountains rise to 12000 feet with beautiful rolling meadows, stunning streams and dollops of snow all around. How do you explain that climbing half dome is awesome and exilarating as you have to scramble and pull yourself up chains to reach the summit!

Our first few nights in the park were spent in Tuolomne Meadows high up in the mountains on the banks of a river. Did you know that if you put Katie near a stream at night she has to wake up to Pee often! But hiking in the upper reaches of the park is stunning and we were priveleged enough to see so many amazing natural wonders. There are also these awesome contraptions called bear boxes - as the bear problem is much like the baboon problem in the cape. So all food, liquid and smellies have to go in the bear box at all times - this is one way to freak out my wife who know has a bear phobia as well as a baboon phobia!

So 6 days in Yosemite and plenty of hiking, climbing and swimming in the alpine lakes, waterfalls and streams must go down as a true highlights. We even had to have a few 'illegal' showers in the waterfalls as we started to stink - I mean how can you go to church dirty on a sunday?

Thanks again to the Potters for making this all possible.

Lake Tahoe

Ok, so we are getting a few jealous comments from working friends who are getting a little bitter and twisted that we are having so much fun!

So I would like to tell you that our trip has slowed down but that would be a lie... we have just been given an amazing car to cruise through the states from the awesome Potters! They even donated a few basic camping necessities like a stove and a tent, we made up the rest with plastic knives and forks etc. We then hit the camping world for 8 days and these americans don't believe in showers - so we are officially the mountain couple...

Anyhow, Lake Tahoe is the 2nd largest alpine lake in the world with unbelievable mountains and forests that surround the lake. We enjoyed every aspect of this lake by first mountain biking through some of the awesome scenery and then the next day climbing mount Tallac - the second highest mountain in Lake area - with views that were 360 spectacular!!!!

Lake Tahoe truly is an amazing place.... and if the travelling isn't enough to make you sick - well our relationship is also getting better... we have learnt to laugh more, fight better and just chill out together and not take life to seriously - at all times maintain a sense of humour, even when we smell!

P.s. we have been playing in the snow which is absurd because it is super hot. Snow and a sun tan - what a combination! We have built snow men and slid through the snow like 5 year olds - awesome!

San Fran Cisco

Now we're going to San Fran Cisco... don't forget to have a mullet in your hair!

This is a hippy hilarious city full of awesome sights, great chow and some really fabulous people. We have been staying with the Potter family who are not only incredibly hospitable and caring but also a distinct reminder of home! They have shown us some great sights and outdoors, we have eaten some amazing food and shared some quality moments.

Auckland and out

Family is a funny thing - it is always there for you and so often is full of fabulous surprises. We have been fortunate enough to stay with Pastor Ken Dew and his fabulous family who really have a great thing going in NZ. He is also a great friend of my Dad's and together they are reshaping the australasian landscape for good.

Anyhow, Auckland was a time of Wedding showers, basketball matches, touring, church services and hang time with quality new friends - Alana and Jordan! What a special way to finish off our splendid trip to New Zealand and thank you one and all for your hospitality and love.

We have absolutely loved New Zealand and will be back!

New Zealand North Island

WOW -

OK so my Dad has a secret sister that he hid from us for all these years - she is fabulous and is married to a quality New Zealand farmer and together they make an awesome team who happen to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Fizz and Selby are as close to Millers as you are likely to find and are just extraordinary hosts and now friends - thank you for showing us the sheep farming, cheese making and fashion capitals of New Zealand - Havelock North.

Katie and I also thoroughly enjoyed Mountain biking Lake Taupo on some awesome single track and then spent a night in the wickedly stinky Rotarua - the land of eggy backleashing breezes. We sure have enjoyed our time in the North island... next stop Auckland.

Jonathan Nicholas Reynders

The family sure is growing!

A massive congratulations to Fee, Dave and Timothy on the arrival of Jonathan! We sure are proud aunts and uncles and are excited to see Jono at Christmas time.

I think this has to have been the hardest day to be away from home, but we are holding everyone in our thoughts and prayers at this exciting time...

Well done team!

Down the river without a paddle

ABEL TASMAN

Right picture this, a national park along a magnificent coastline with pristine beaches, seals frolicking in the surf and amazing islands dotted up the shoreline... now think the only way to get there is either by kayak or on foot... So we rented a kayak and headed along the coast visiting remote beaches and exploring the sea with some rather intriguing swell at times that made you respect the sea and its power! So after a day of paddling and working through the swell - well done GI Katie - we made it to the hut in the forest where we were to spend the night with our fellow travellers and a few local mice! In the morning we left early to hunt the sun rise and found an awesome beach that faced the oncoming glory and watched the sun rise in all its splendour - it is in these moments where you know there must be a creator!

So anyhow, the paddle in was fabulous and the 11km walk out was also spectacular as you walk home along the coastal track and admire the view from the top on your way back to civilization.... all in all a truly memorable experience and a real highlight of our New Zealand exploration.