bLoG
The ups and downs
Rā 358 Rāmere 23 o Hakihea
Last minute Christmas shopping, a wee bit of gardening and a trip to the pub!
We love artichokes but clearly missed this one that has blossomed whilst we were away! Such a beautiful flower.
Rā 357 Rāpare 22 o Hakihea
It’s been a long day! Up at 4.30am to take Kate and Rosa to the airport. Goodbyes are always hard so we tried to make it short and sweet. They are off for more adventures in Tasmania and we drove 8 hours back home!
Pick of the day has to be me and my little sister…last one for a while!
Rā 356 Rāapa 21 o Hakihea
Last day with my little sister!:(
Took the train into Wellie with the hope of going kayaking but it was clear as we travelled in from the waves in the harbour that it wasn’t likely to be possible. The sky was blue with scudding clouds, warm air temperature but strengthening wind which made it feel cold. We made a wee diversion to the Beehive before heading to the kayak place for confirmation that it was indeed too windy.
We sheltered in a cafe for a while then split up. Kate and Rosa went shopping, Gus wandered around for a bit then joined us in the pub for a drink and a pizza.
Back at Silverstream we packed, chatted, drank wine and played Cheat and generally made the most of our last day.
Early start tomorrow to get to the airport.
Rā 355 Rātu 20 o Hakihea
A beautiful day in Wellington – stunning in fact! Clear blue sky and just a light breeze. Pick of the day is this Tui guzzling on harakeke nectar at the top of Mount Victoria this morning.
Lunch round the bay at Chocolate Fish cafe, then browsing in Cuba Street and a ride in the Cable Car followed by a walk through the Botanics. Loved the evening buzz along the waterfront; people eating, drinking, playing, chatting in the bars, restaurants and the walkway and some still jumping into the water!
Rā 354 Rāhina 19 o Hakihea
On the road today from a wet and windy National Park passing through some stunning scenery (some of it missed by some sleepyheads) to arrive in the Wairarapa in sunshine. We made stops at iconic NZ landmarks and town clocks!
1. The Giant Carrot in Ohakune where we discovered the delights of the Chinese vegetable memorial park (photo pick of the day)
2. The Giant Gumboot in Taihape.
3. The unbelieve-a-bull Bulls.
4. The Golden Shears in Masterton
5. The daffodil town of Carterton where we had a delicious Christmas dinner with Moira and Terry.
Finally to Silverstream which is our base for the next three days. Phew!
Rā 353 Rātapu 18 o Hakihea
Too windy for the Tongariro Crossing so we headed for Tama Lakes. Turned into a beautiful day so a heap of stunning photos but I cheated so much yesterday that I’ll have to choose only one today!
This is the highest point looking down to the lower Tama Lake with a still snow be-robed Ruapehu behind.
Rā 352 Rāhoroi 17 o Hakihea
Phew! A big day out today -Hamilton to National Park via Rotorua and Taupo. First stop Whakarewarewa for some Maori culture and history then Kuirau Park to see mud pools and a hot foot bath. On to Kerosene Creek for a hot swim then to Huka Falls before driving around Lake Taupo to Turangi and over to National Park. Cheating again…who can choose one photo for the day?
Rā 351 Rāmere 16 o Hakihea
A day out in Waitomo. No Nigel today as the car has broken down and things need sorting for our roadtrip tomorrow. Glow worms are impossible to photograph even though they shine so brightly. Our guide suggested that, by rights, they should be called glow maggots but, who would pay a fortune to see maggots!?
The formations are easier to photograph though. I’ve been through a lot of caves in my time but these really are impressive. ( And my sister and niece are pretty good to!!)
Rā 350 Rāpare 15 o Hakihea
Christmas Day number 1 for us today. We started with shopping then Christmas Dinner beautifully cooked by Nigel. And of course Christmas board games! Monopoly went on long into the evening! Even Corinne joined in…
Rā 349 Rāapa 14 o Hakihea
A long day out today to explore the Coromandel. We dug a hole to sit in at Hot Water Beach, ran to cool off in the ocean and then back to warm up in the hot water. Brilliant! On to Cathedral Cove – the path is much changed since the last time we were there but the Cove is just as stunning. Picnic on the beach then across the 309 to the Kauri Grove – a reluctant and sleepy pair were made to get out of the car to walk to the Kauri but I think they appreciated it in the end!! They had plenty of time to sleep on the test of the journey back home!
