The hardest thing about living in New Zealand is saying goodbye to visitors when they leave.  My in-laws have been, stayed and now gone.  The house is earily quiet.  Just MT, I and the bassets at home.

As always when family come it passes in a flash even though it’s been many weeks.  We’ve packed a lot in though and had some real fun.  There’s been a huge amount of work done too. 

Can’t imagine we would have tackled the thistles or painted the fence without my father-in-law.  Nor my laundry skills brushed up without my mother-in-law supervising taking over!  It’s been a godsend and we’re really grateful for their hard work. Them mucking in has made all the difference.

We think of family and friends on the other side of the world a great deal.  The time of day that that makes me homesick most is at sunset here as I ponder on the fact that whilst our day is ending theirs is just beginning.  As our sun sets their sun rises.  At least that something we share however many miles apart we are.

I captured these pictures as we just finished dinner on Monday night together.  I would have captured the sun sinking behind the trees had I not had to negotiate my way round two bassets to get my camera.  I love the depth of colour.  These are straight out of the camera, no need for photoshopping these!

I love the way the clouds contrast with the bright colours to bring a moodiness the the moment.

But most of all what I love about sunset photographs is how it can play tricks on you.  When I look at this picture I see a coastal scene.  The views of islands and inlets and a calm sea.  Can you see it?

Look closer…..see the waves forming a line around the coast.

See it.  Good!  Didn’t want you to miss what I was seeing. It is of course just the clouds playing tricks on me.  All that’s there is the sun giving out it’s rays for one last time that day before it heads north for others to enjoy.

It’s hard not to feel a little sad and empty after people have been to stay.  The way I overcome these feelings is to think of what we have and be grateful for the times we spend together.  At least we’ll be heading to the UK later this year so we’ll see the in-laws again soon.  Wonder what jobs they are lining up for us to do?