Some scenes from my Christmas Holiday

Lake Tarawera: The bach we rented was across the road from this wee bay. It was a real traditional bach, furnished with cast offs from peoples' homes. It even contained a gramophone and some records. My brother anchored the boat here every night.

Paul's boat is the one on the right. This is the start of the track between Lakes Tarawera and Rotomahana.

Goodness knows what this shelter is in aid of - it looks like a bus shelter made of punga logs but there's only boats, and very few people, for miles:

On the track to Lake Rotomahana. All of this bush has grown since the Tarawera eruption of 1886:

Lake Rotomahana, with Mt Tarawera in the background:

Nephew, niece, and their friends, at the Lake Rotomahana end of the track:

Huka Falls, just outside Taupo:

The view from the house we rented in Taupo:

And again, about 45° to the left:

This house was more like a proper rental house than a bach, this is my bedroom:

It was pleasantly cool, although it had no view. My brother and sister-in-law's room was at the front of the house with the view and the heat, and all the kids had a big room downstairs, furnished with three single and one double beds, plus a set of bunks.

We visited Café L'Arté for brunch, and all very much enjoyed the outdoor mosaic living room:

And the reason for the trip? This bit of water is where my brother and I scattered our parents' ashes over the back of the boat.

It was one of Dad's favourite fishing spots, and he and Mum spent many happy hours there in their boat.