North Head

We are back from the Coromandel, but before I post about that, I thought I should put a few pics up from our little trip to North Head. It is just a short drive or ferry ride from Auckland, so it's a nice place to go for a hike away from the noise of the city. I had never been there before, but really enjoyed it. 
There are some great views of Auckland from North Head.  Since I have been sick, Grandma offered to carry Sophia around for the couple hours we were there.  (Thanks Mom!)  Sophia was in such a good mood this day.  She was screeching with delight and laughing and having such a great time.  I don't think her legs stopped kicking the whole time.  

North Head was Auckland's first line of defense for a long time.  Here is my dad with one of the large guns up there (they're not in working order anymore, and this was not the largest of the guns).  

There are also lots of tunnels around where people used to hide out and watch for enemy boats.  It was a little creepy in some of them, especially since our flashlights (called torches here) were not very strong.  

Grandpa, Grandma, and Sophia, enjoying the beautiful day.

Trade Me and Long Bay

I bought something else off Trade Me this week. Trade Me is a great site here for buying and selling used items in New Zealand. I had already bought our washer and dryer, changing table, and some clothes for Sophia. I purchased a blender/food processor combo thingy this time. I have been making some baby food for Sophia, and it's getting harder to do that without a food processor. And I wanted to try to make some smoothies for breakfast. I'm getting bored with cereal.

Anyway, I had to go out toward this beach to pick it up, so I decided that Sophia and I could take a walk there while we were out. I forgot my camera so I stole these images off the web. I put Sophia in the front pack and she loved strolling on the beach. It was a perfect day yesterday, sunny and warm and not too windy. We enjoyed being out away from the city (about 30 minutes from home) and looking at the waves and the gross jellyfish that were washed up on shore. I really wanted my camera for that! They were massive! You just don't get that sort of thing on the shores of Lake Michigan. :)