The TRUE STARS of Twitter Tour 2011

I was exceptionally fortunate to win a study scholarship for 2011.  Alongside my study I dreamt up "Twitter Tour 2011".  I have just read my very first blog posts for this year and note this entry made in March...

 "This journey for me is about making connections, sharing stories, exploring, and having fun along the way touring our country."

This journey has exceeded anything I could have imagined.  I have had the great fortune to travel around New Zealand and meet the most AMAZING, PASSIONATE, INSPIRING, SHARING educators!  I have been welcomed into schools, classes and homes around New Zealand.  I have tried to leave a little something wherever I have traveled, be it a story, a memory or a giggle.  I am in awe of everyone's generosity of time, ideas, collaboration and hospitality!

I feel VERY rich from this experience and want to thank you all.  It is just not possible to thank you all individually so please feel the gratitude from deep within my heart.  You are all STARS!

I have tried to include all of the stars I have met this year!  If I have accidentally missed you - please let me know, or know that you are a special part of my journey!  And to all of those I have met who are not Tweets, thanks for the rich layer you have added.  Last but not least, thanks to my Twitter PLN - those of you I haven't met. Your posts, ideas, and links 'light up my world'!

As I return to the classroom in 2012, I take with me the rich tapestry of learning from you all.  I am so excited about the collaboration opportunities I have lined up.  I know that 2012 will be an incredible year for all my learners and for me, thanks to the rich learning journey I have been on.

Thank you all.

Time for an update...

I have spent some time today reflecting on my year...
It was time for an update of my Twitter Tour 2011 Map!  I think I have included most schools now...  What an incredible year this has been... More reflections to come before the end of the year!

View Twitter Tour 2011 in a larger map

Reflection on my latest Twitter Tour...

Reflection on this last leg of “Twitter Tour 2011 North Island”

How can I begin to explain the magic of the new connections, how can I begin to mesh it all together.  One true highlight of this journey was finding out that I have been accepted for NAPP (National Aspiring Principal’s Programme for 2012).  This really took me by surprise and is an awesome next step in my journey.   I am really excited about this journey,  and extremely excited to see that I know a number of fellow tweets who are travelling the same journey.  Reconnecting on this journey in 2012 with you all will be magic. 

Back to this tour… what a privilege it has been to have this time of leave.  What a privilege it is to be able to head off into the sunset on an adventure.  What a privilege to meet such amazing people along the way.  You are all very special to me and you have all played a part in shaping me and my views for teaching and learning for now and into the future.  I have loved the opportunity to talk with you all, share your stories and walk in your footsteps for a while.  The holstee manifesto, my motto for now, really is shaping me.  

I am living my life, living it to the full and making the most of every opportunity to reach out.  Thank you to you all.

A special thank you to NZ Discount car rentals 080017951795, Jo Bolton for the magic of a $19.95 a day rental car.  Without your company I simply could not have afforded to on the road for the length of time I have this year.  

Thanks to all the schools, teachers and learners I have met along the way – you make me shine.  Thanks to all the wonderful relatives I have connected with and shared meals with and stories along the way.  I am exceptionally privileged to have such a large, close, extended family.  To everyone I have come into contact with, thanks for the memories….

In closing,

Life is a game - play it

Life is a challenge - meet it

Life is an opportunity - capture it

I am playing it, meeting it and capturing it!

Monday, marvellous Monday...

Up early to head to New Plymouth, arriving about 11.  What followed was a marvellous tour of Pukekura park and the waterfront, so etched in my memory from childhood trips to Taranaki. 

Back to Christine’s for lunch and time to meet yet more cousins and have a wonderful family lunch. 

A true highlight of this year has been reconnecting with so many of my relatives. 

As we headed out of New Plymouth we decided to visit the stunning Te Rewa Rewa bridge.  It sure is worth a visit...

Off we go heading north for Cambridge. It really is a stunning drive up along the water then we headed in land from Awahino.  A very refreshing stop at the Fat Pigeon in PioPio refreshed us and off we headed again.  

A couple of stops to prepare me for the Halloween rematch and off we head, eventually arriving in Cambridge at 5.50pm.  Waiting at the door with my ipad filming for the R and R attack, I am surprised when Simon opens the door and tells me the kids are not there.  Totally relaxed, I stupidly let my guard down and returned to the car for our bags.  As I returned to the door, two little imps launched themselves on my in disguise and bombarded me with confetti and party poppers… and so the rematch began.  Around the yard, over the trampoline – oh what fun. 

Dinner time was a welcome treat for me as I had hid skeletons in their salad, and spiders in their beds.  Much hilarity later and off to bed we went.  

From Mountain to the sea...

Today is my last day here in Taranki with Mum and Doug, so off we go on an adventure.  Driving over to Kaponga, first stop Hollard’s garden – what a sensational garden this is.

It was threatening to rain and I really wondered if we should perseverce past the first walkway… Well, I sure am glad we did.  It is the most magical garden.  Right throughout the garden is the story of the owners and their development of this land from farmland.  It really is a show garden with the most amazing rhododendrons I have seen in  a long time.  So many of the white ones are so highly perfumed and it is quite magical to walk through.  Down the back of the garden the rain really starts to pour down and we sought shelter in the garden gazebo for coffee and cake and a talk to the gardeners.  What an amazing place.  So glad we made the effort.

Onwards we head up Mount Egmont.  This is an amazing scenic drive through stunning bush.   We had a picnic lunch at the Dawson Fall’s carpark then clambered down the hillside to view the magical falls.  STUNNING.  

Back down the mountain just in time to arrive at Stratford for the 3pm showing of the glockenspiel – finally mananged to time it right Regan.  What an amazing clock and a great show.  

On we headed to Eltham for an ice-cream.  There really is something so magical about an ice-cream stop on a Sunday drive. 

Back to Normanby and over to Ohawe beach.  After a walk up the river mouth to talk to the whitebaiters we walked down to the sea.  

Simply amazing.  I just love beach – the different scenes, driftwood, stones, black sand and water… I really do need to put living at the beach on my bucket list.

Finally home for dinner, game of cards and a well earned early night.

The journey from mountain to sea is simply magical….

Stunning Saturday...

Awake early and all set for another adventure as I had north today…

First stop Owlcatraz!  I have always loved owl stories, legends, movies and sounds.  I love hearing the owls hoot in our garden but have never seen one, so when I heard about Owlcatraz it was a must visit.  Well, it certainly was everything I expected and much, much more…  I love the story of the starting of Owlcatraz and the recovery from the storm of 2008 when 600 trees were toppled.  It really is a taste of paradise and I am so delighted to have come face-to-face with owls.  The owl enclosure is AMAZING.  I cannot believe how cute they are…

Next stop Winchester School to meet my long time twitter friend @KiwiNomad08.  Thanks a million for a sensational tour of the school, scrumptious picnic lunch, lagoon visit to the coot’s nests, tour of Massey and hill jaunt.  

It was truly magic to meet you.  I can’t wait to check out your travel blog and follow your travels next year.  Thanks again for a magical Palmerston North time.

Next stop was the Plaza to meet my cousins.  It was amazing to meet Brad, who is over from Sydney for five days.  I really realise how privileged I am to have such a huge, close extended family. 

I finally arrived back in Taranaki tonight, in time for card games and watching the fireworks displays.  What a magical day.

Friday in Raumati Beach

Pancake for breakfast at Wild Olive was a great way to start the day, followed by a magic morning greenscreening.  

We even managed a walk to the beach at lunchtime, the beach is that close.  

An afternoon of completing painting backdrops, and the class are poised for creation of their legends next week with alpha key, voice overs, and credits.  I can’t wait to see the finished projects.

After school and off we headed for an adventure in Wellywood.  First visit was Amesbury school, the new school in Churton Park where our dear friend Tara is teaching next year.  Despite a thorough search we couldn't find you anywhere Tara?  :)

Next up was a visit to the Fowler Centre,

 The wharewaka (the progress of which I have been watching over the past two years...)

 ...and Te Papa where I found enough luggage for my next journey...

 Good on ya...

 Followed by a wonderful Paella Tagine at my favourite Wellington restaurant Casablanca!

 ...and rounded the evening off with coffee at Ernesto in Cuba Mall.  Thanks for a great night in Wellington Jo and Liz!

 ...and as we headed back into Raumati Beach my little rental clocked over another thousand making it 2000kms on the road in 11 days...