All too soon we have to say good bye to Mich and take her to Auckland airport.
This has been a slower more relaxed visit, hopefully, compared to the see all, do all, visit of two years ago. Hopefully Mich enjoyed herself and will be coming back again. We’ve alrady started planning the great Northland trip to see the top end of NZ and a drive along 90 mile beach.
Not sure what to do or where to go with Mich today, as always we can never make a decision.
Katherine to the rescue…… They are going to the beach today with the boys and did we want to tag along. If so meet at the L&P bottle in Paeroa.
So off we go….
While there we had a sandcastle competition us versus the Caddys and already the twins are very competitive, Luke came up to us and distracted us while Tyler stole our shell decorations.
Short drive down to Putaruru for the scenic Waihou river walk where 80% of NZ bottled water is sourced.
Trying to get into pre Christmas fitness the Millingtons decided that the windmills walk would be a great idea.
All I can say about it is that it was a really hot day, there wasn’t any shade and we all know our own limits.
On the way back we stopped off at the Bridal Veil Waterfall
From Napier we traveled to Hamilton via Rotorua.
A nice long drive interrupted by a visit to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal park.
Although we took Mich to a thermal park on her previous visit to NZ we thought that these were a bit more spectacular and worth the stop.
From there it was onto sister Jennifer’s just out side Hamilton
The following day it was on up north to Auckland and the North Shore. (Takapuna) to meet up with Angela, Kirstey and Mimi.
On the way back we stopped off at the sky tower for a trip to the top, leaving Jo behind to go to the casino.
After seeing Tracey yesterday we traveled onto Napier and stayed at sister Susan’s.
Today we decided to hire a bike for Mich and go for a cycle ride.
Unfortunately for Mich when Jo & I get on a bike we forget when to stop and turn around. We cycled along the sea front and onto Clive some 16Km away. Here we stopped at a very nice cafe and had lunch.
On the way back we made a detour and stopped of at local brewery specializing in ciders. I didn’t realize that there were so many different flavours. We ended up buying a sample of 6 ciders to share.
Unfortunately the drinks or more likely the bike ride took it’s toll on Mich and we left here at the Aquarium while we returned her bike to the hire shop.
We returned the bike safely and then went back and picked her up, she only missed out on a couple of kms.
Like an idiot I had left my garmin in the car while we were out on the bikes so I don’t have a track for today.
| Mich has been in Wellington for a few days now and we have been to the zoo for a close encounter with the lions, been to the shops and also had a game of grazy golf.Now the holiday truly begins with a road trip from Wellington to Napier stopping off to see Tracy and her new baby Monty.Monty is a full 10 days old and Jo & I have arranged a photo shoot for Tracy. Then it’s off to Napier.
The one thing we nearly forgot when arriving at Tracy’s was that the bikes on top the car would not fit under their power lines. Luckily I stopped a few inches short of cutting them off.
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We’ve made it as far as Auckland and we’ve found the koru lounge. So it’s another beer while we wait.
Hopefully we won’t be too pissed when we finally board our LA to London leg. But anything can happen as our next flight is premium and the wine will be flowing.
After repacking 6 times we are finally on our way.
After a short 25 minutes drive to the airport and an even shorter mini bus ride from the car park to the terminal, we are now enjoying a drink in the koru lounge waiting for the first flight of three.
The first one is a little hop of one hour to Auckland. The others are 11+ to LA then London. The flying time of 25 hours and elapsed time of 30 hours. Oh the joys of International flying.
At least at the end of this i will be able to see my grandson.
While we were in Hamilton we visited our house as the tenants had moved out.
In the garden was a Feijoa tree full of fruit, too tempting to leave to rot so we picked the fruit off the ground and then shook the tree to get some more.
If we didn’t they would only go to waste, or god forbid the new tenants would eat them.
Now back in Wellington it is my job to preserve as many as possible as there are far too many to eat before they rot. So I am having to remove the pulp ready to freeze in syrup and this is how it went.
One Feijoa for the bowl, one for me.
Two Feijoas for the bowl, two for me.
Three Feijoas for the bowl, three for me.
Four Feijoas for the bowl, four for queezy me.
Five Feijoas for the bowl, five for me, how many left I’m not feeling too well.
Six Feijoas for the bowl, I’m not too sure if I can finish them all.
Seven Feijoas for the bowl, who the heck likes these blooming things.
Eight Feijoas for the bowl, Wish I’d never seen a Feijoa.
Nine Fejoas for the bowl, I’m sure these are the devils fruit.
Ten Fejoas for the bowl, Jo can do her own Fejoas next year.