Life in Paraparaumu

Ron and Vivien have built themselves a very desirable house, tucked away in a select area high on a hill, but well within commuting distance of Wellington if they want some of the cool city life.The indications are, however, that Ron, having spent his working life there, can do without it.
Meanwhile the little town of Paraparaumu, at the bottom of the hill, can provide for all their daily needs.
The house faces south west and has a fantastic view across the water to South Island in the distance and the nature reserve of Kapiti Island just a 15 minute boat ride away.

View to Kapiti Island from kitchen

While we were there the sun shone and the sitting room and outside deck were sunny all day long. In the evening they get the sunsets.

South Island in the sunset

 But there are also shady places; there are 'secret' sitting areas around the outside of the house. And there's the gully.

Steps down to the gully

The gully seems to be the domain of Ron and Ember; it's an area of untamed bush into which they disappear and that they walk through every morning.  A case of ' you can take the man away from the woods of his childhood at Cleave House but you can't take the woods from the man'?
Ron also has a studio at the side of the house where he paints and carves.

As for Vivien, the whole of the place is her domain, of course, and she used to throw pots (not at Ron!) but the place where we saw her being creative was in the kitchen. An endless supply of delicious meals and snacks appeared throughout our stay with no apparent effort, and, while I know that the effort must have been there, the ease with which Vivien fed us must owe much to the fact she brought up 3 daughters, and now has 7 hungry grandchildren.
We met the daughters - Carol, Linda and Susan, their husbands ((Dave, Andrew and David) and 6 of the grandchildren, including energetic Katelyn (I've probably spelt that incorrectly) and beautiful Anna. They were all lovely.