The Tafuna Tribe: Hawkes Bay

Day 3 was my favourite day. The weather again was amazing. It was so nice to get sunburnt after being bundled up for so long during winter. We started out at a gypsy fair which was awesome. They had heaps of really cool stuff, a little expensive though which sucked, but there was tons to do and see and we had fun.

It was awesome, they were actual factual gypsy's that lived in these mobile homes, had dreadlocks, did palm reading and everything.

They had little pony's there and I was sure Malachi would freak out and not want to touch them, like he does with most animals, but he was keen as to ride one so away he went.

There was a bouncy castle, and Hannah went with Malachi for her first time. She loved it, and we loved watching her!

Then we found a face-painting gypsy and again, I thought Malachi would freak out but he sat there like a champ and transformed into the little tiger he really is.

The boys had a go at a shooting booth. And as it turned out, the guy who owned the booth used to work in the airforce with Dad. He gave us some insight into the life of a gypsy. They're in a different town every weekend, do whatever during the week. He earns at least $500 a day from his little booth, so works 2 days a week, and hangs out the other 5. Oh the life of a gypsy!

Dad having a go. And if you look in the background of the picture of my cousin below, you can see the ex-airforce turned gypsy guy. Dad said he was always a bit of a fruitcake.....

And there was a train, so brainer that we HAD to ride it.

It was baby Hannah's first time - doesn't she look excited?!!

And after such a long day, we had a very tired little tiger.

And then in the afternoon, the reason why we'd gone all the way up there, was for my Aunty Christine's 50th Birthday. She is my Dad's younger sister and it has been a long time since we've seen them. Infact I think the last time all Dad's siblings have been together was Aunty Christine's 40th birthday. Nana and Pop Brunton weren't able to be there with us, due to Pop's deteriorating health at the moment. So it was a little bitter sweet. But still very sweet to all be together. Those Napier people are such a laugh!

My Aunty and her partner and building this amazing house at the top of a hill. They took us up to have a look at the site and see the views. Man were there views! This is my brother and his wife at the top, looking over Napier.

And me with the view. I'm pretty sure that once the house is done, we're going to visit them ALOT!

Back to the party......

My Dad's oldest sister Michelle and her two boys Guy and Miles flew down from Keri Keri. I haven't seen them since my wedding, and they were alot smaller then.

The host family. My dad's sister is in the middle, to the right her partner Rod, my life long pal, and his kids Ben and Emma. And then on the left are my cousins Racheal and Stevie and his new fiance Nadine (Stevie lives in Oz and was a surprise for his Mum's birthday - she had no idea he was coming, let along that he'd bring his girlfriend. He hadn't been home in almost 4 years. It was awesome.)