2/8/12 (Wednesday) (2/7 in U.S.):  We're celebrating our 25th anniversary for the second time, since it's still 2/7 in the U.S.!  We had a pleasant, quiet day yesterday. 

Hudson in School Uniform

Mark went back to work and the kids went back to school and Heather had an engagement with a friend,

so Wiley and I walked down to the Seatoun beach and did a little beachcombing and absorbed the scenery.  The sand is black with many small pebbles.  The Interisland Ferries go by rather frequently.  That's Steeple Rock in front of the ferry.  It's just a little beach, but I've taken oodles of pictures of it.  With the houses climbing the hills and the blue hills in the distance and the clear water, this is just a stunning place to live.

 

I found this beautiful paua shell (known as abalone in the U.S.).  The Maori used a lot of abalone in their jewelery and decorations.  It's supposed to be very good to eat, too.











Wiley and the kids found several of these starfish when they were on the pier.  They ate the bait in the crab traps.  This one won't be stealing any more bait, though.

Then we walked into the village (which consists of about 3 stores and a post office).  Many of the products on the store shelves were familiar American brands, but with a twist.  Rice Krispies are Rice Bubbles, for instance.








It was a misty, cool day and became drizzly in the afternoon.  Austin had a friend over after school and he shared his Goldfish (crackers) from America.  Hudson came home and disappeared for a while to do his homework.  After a gourmet dinner of gazpacho, ear corn, avocado and boiled eggs, Mark took me out to practice driving on the left side of the road.  So far, I can either drive or find directions, but not both things at once.  Trying not to panic!