Down Day in Raglan

We're moving to Raglan. We're going to buy a farm here, work remotely, drink Raglan Roast coffee every day, send the kids to the Raglan Area School, enjoy all the animals, and live the Kiwi life. Kidding...not kidding. 

*****

We were in heaven today. It was a perfect down day during this trip. Tim was up to see the sunrise and he said it was incredible. The kids and I were up just after. I went out for a run, but it was suuuuuper hilly and humiliating. I'm going to blame the germs, which are still hanging around a bit.

Back at the farmstay, Taylor and Wyatt enjoyed some hot chocolate. Tim and I drank coffee -- yes, Raglan Roast (so good). We cooked up the breakfast that Sue had left us the day before: homemade bread, fresh eggs, fresh butter. Mmmm. Delicious, all of it. 

Breakfast already looks good.

Unfortunately, the wind started early this morning and continued all day. And I'm talking some crazy wind. It rained some here and there, too, so we had a lazy morning on the farm and then headed into town about 11am.

Tim drove us to the Raglan surf spots he surfed when he visited 15 years ago. The surf was a lot better back then. No surf today! 

A surf spot Tim visited 15 years ago...before two kids.

We had lunch at Wyld (also so good) and then checked out the Raglan shops. Taylor, who turns 13 tomorrow (!), picked out a sweatshirt and t-shirt for her birthday. I've never met a girl who loves sweatshirts more than she does. 😉

Chicken burger at Wyld.

This guy had a smoothie.

Who says there's no surf today?!

Maybe next time we'll get the real thing...

Before we left town, we swung by the Four Square grocery store and picked up some food to cook back at the farm for dinner. 

And then we drove to Bridal Veil Falls, a plunge waterfall located along the Pakoka River. We hiked to the top of the falls, and then walked down 261 steps to see the bottom of the falls. The Falls were beautiful, top to bottom. And the best part was -- we were out of the wind during our visit!

Walking through the forest to see the Falls.

Halfway down the 261 stairs.

The almost birthday girl in front of the Falls.

Back at the top and back in the wind.

Back at the Farmstay, the rain came down harder. It was so cozy inside our little container (which is pretty much what this Airbnb is). We watched some Netflix, ate another great dinner by Tim, and hoped for the clouds to move on by so we could see all the stars again.