On the road again, and I have my own super hero.

Saturday morning was busy running around after the heir who had birthday money to spend and other things to do, so him and I went out.  We also finally took all the empty booze bottles to the dump recycling part.  While out I got TOF a couple new singlets.

He got this one

and

a Batman one.

So he asked me,

"what super hero do you want me to be for you?"

Super Hero TOF

scooped Oscar with one strong

super hero arm

and made him very

comfortable on his shoulder!!

We went for a drive to our friends 

that live in the country

for a visit in the afternoon.

Sheba has the back seat all to herself

as Oscar has to be up front on my knees.

 The countryside is still a little dry but the colours are beautiful.

Today we needed to go to Auckland to visit TOFs mum as she is turning 80 on the 5th of April but she will be away on a cruise at that time.  So we needed to go either today or next Sunday, so we booked in today.  The lads agreed to come with us as they realised they haven't seen their Nana for a few years.  But that happens when you are a teenager.

Off we set at lunch time with both the lads strapped safely in the back seat and both very under the weather. Yes HUNGOVER!!!How sad, both incredibly quiet with headphones in their ears listening to their jams.

With overcast weather the clouds brewing were looking ominous.  All the way up the motor way are signs telling you things you just might need to know.  Didn't see anyone working on the major roadworks tho'.

We stopped at Pokeno so TOF could buy some NZ famous Pokeno Bacon.  And bugger me if there wasn't a market happening.  Yes I wander over the road for a very quick look!!  TOF had a Zephyr when he was a young rebel like this one we saw parked up.

Next stop was on the Bombay Hills because hunger had struck the hungover folk so we decided we would grab some lunch.  Lads doing dirty old Mc Spew, me a salad sarnie, and TOF had himself a golf ball of fat, or in other words, a meat pie.  This cute as Morris Minor was in the car park, I learned to drive in one of those babies.

Getting back onto the motorway we went past ploughed fields, as this is spud and onion growing country, Pukekohe.  Another warning sign as a very small amount of rain, well drizzle has fallen.  How soft are these Aucklanders???  Harden the #*@& up you lot!!!

Our turn off from the motorway takes us past Rainbows End, New Zealands idea of a Theme Park.

Finally we arrive at TOFs mums retirement village.  Trust me it is massive and very very nice.  She has an apartment while her man has a two bedroom unit.  Both very nice spots.  We had taken a selection of muffins so had a cuppa and a feed in the dining room.  We gave MIL (mother in law) a silver engraved locket for her birthday and she was tickled pink.

 Time for some family photos in the beautiful gardens.

 Nana and her grandsons.

An old dear wanted to take a photo of all of us and it was a slight fail, but she did her best.

Inside this massive retirement village it is rather lovely.  Perfect for this age group, safe, comfortable and so many things on offer on 'campus' as TOF put it.  All sporting facilities, library, restaurant, hairdresser, movies, and many more.  Most of it is like an expensive hotel with lovely furniture placed in the halls and gorgeous art work, some for sale.

We said our goodbyes and got back out onto the motorway heading south back to the Tron.  The house in the photo to the left looked pretty yummo.  Past more ploughed and planted fields.

At the moment you still drive through Huntly, a small town that will be being by passed when the expressway is finished.  Quite sad for these small towns but I guess you would still go there if they have something to offer.  So maybe the folk that live there need to start thinking about making it a place to stop in at.

I love the old farm houses tucked in amongst huge native trees perched on a hill, Big boys toys standing dormant waiting for Monday when the big boys come to play, and there is nothing like a train flying past.

Back in the beautiful Waikato countryside, where we passed a field full of free range chickens just enjoying the great outdoors.

Lovely to be back home, the dogs were ecstatic!!

Hope you all have had a lovely weekend

and ready to face another week

doing whatever it is you do.