MT’s been photoblogging this weekend at the Kaitoke Regional Park. This is just a five minute ride in the car from where we will. It’s an amazing place of natural beauty with plenty of walks and swimming holes in the river for those who want to cool off.

It’s hard to capture the sense of place in photos sometimes but this will at least give you a glimpse of what you can enjoy there.

He won’t thank me for posting this picture but this is BT, my father in law. He’s been an avid photographer whilst here in NZ. I’m hoping to pinch some of his pics to be able to boost my photoblogging before he leaves at the weekend. Watch this space for more to come!

Cruise ships are a regular sight in Wellington, usually so big to make the cake tin stadium look like a muffin case. The latest cruising attraction to arrive this weekend was the brand new $676 million, 90,000 tonne ship – the Queen Victoria – stopping off as part of its maiden voyage, a 15-week world tour.

It called into Auckland, Napier and Wellington before departing for Melbourne last but it was Wellington that showed them a kiwi welcome with coastguard boats, the port’s three tugboats and a flotilla of fishing boats, yachts and runabouts making lots of razzamataz to welcome them to the Capital City. We sure know how to throw a party!

Discerning readers of the domestic-executive blog have requested something other than house blogging. So here’s some retrospective photoblogging from 14 October.

It was one of those “you can’t beat Wellington days”. Sun was shining, a spring breeze and we were at peace with the world. There was high excitement on the harbour too, the Chinese navy were here on a goodwill visit showing off their boat.

As you might imagine it was the ultimate in boys adventure and not to be missed. Also, it was a perfect outing for every Chinese in Wellington to pay homage to the motherland. We were treated to a walkaround the warship to see the armoury close up. I don’t think that there were any military secrets shared that day but plenty of goodwill spread around!

Serenity amongst the crowds

Boys toys!

Wellington Marina

Wellington docks

Yours truly taking 5