Middle Earth to Jurassic Park/ Katie's Trip

Katie alighted on New Zealand soil with a smile and big hugs ready to explore this beautiful country.

A few hours later she jumped aboard the ferry to Devonport for a quick walk about town, hike up Mount Victoria with panoramic views of the harbor and a delicious lunch at our favorite Devonport cafe.  The next day was on to Middle Earth where the enchantment of Hobbiton captured her heart and sense of the magical.

                                                             "The Cottage"

                                                               "Cheers"

                                                                "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww"

And then if was off to Wairere Falls ---- the highest falls on the North Island ---- right there in Matamata.  Now there will be tales of this hike --- something to do with steps and having to redo steps because someone thought we had gone past the viewing point ---- the number of these steps varies from 130 to 250 one way as the story takes dips and turns.  You will have to weigh the truth of such tales though passing hikers did comment about whether we would redo the steps since the waterfalls viewing stations was a mere 10 minutes after the steps.  This picture reveals our decision.

 
                                                              Jurassic Park ????

Moving away from a movie set, our next day took us up to the Bay of Islands. We of course stopped for tea in Warkworth before heading to Uretiti Beach.

                               Will they beat the wave?  Maybe we still are on a movie set!

We travelled on to Paihia where we explored the town and crashed for the night.  The morning found us kayaking around a small island in the bay.  Katie and I maneuvered a two seater and David was the lone wolf.  (Check out the boat shoes --- oh yeah!)

We embarked on a  short car ferry ride across to what now is called Russell.  The Maori name is Kororareka which means "sweet penguin".  And no --- we didn't see any penguins.
                       Ahhhhhhhhhhhh ---  This is the life as David exclaims, "I'm on holiday!"  We loved the peace and tranquility of this small island so extended out stay another night.

                                                          View from Flagpole Hill

Tea time before exploring the Russell Museum which was full of Maori artifacts, a model of Cook's Endeaver, whaling artifacts and a historic movie.   Katie and I were impressed with the size of the stuffed kiwi --- apparently they can be quite large.

 

                                                                 My tree fort!

          I took a rest with my bunny friend on the way to Longs Beach.  He is now living in my tree fort.

I picked these two up on the way to Longs Beach also ---- they were reluctant to leave their estate ------

                                                   Finally --- Longs Beach

       Climbing over the lava rocks at the far end of Longs Beach.  Check out the color of this water….
                                     

And now dinner at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel and Restaurant known for "refreshing rascals and reprobates since 1827" ---- a lovely establishment on the strand on the waterfront.

Katie's trip to be continued in the next blog --------

Butterflies to Sunsets

I will start this week's blog with a butterfly right outside my kitchen window.  Mike might not be able to send me a North American Orange Breasted Robin but he can send me an orange butterfly.

Although December is the official beginning of winter, this was a cooler and very wet week.  I am beginning to understand when kiwi's describe their weather as four seasons in one day.

Midweek we attended the opening for the student art show at Uxbridge.  It was a kick!

David and I explored the oldest suburb in Auckland and supposed favorite shopping spot of Bill Clinton (You have to love those tidbits) on Saturday.  We went to the famed Elephant House, a wonderful gift shop with products made in New Zealand.  After tea we bimbled up to Holy Trinity Church which is just beautiful and were treated to a choir practice.  Then on to the famous Rose Gardens.

The pix of the garden does not do it justice.  Needless to say what I thought was going to be an easy Saturday browsing through shops along the brick lanes of Parnell and having lunch turned into hours of walking and exploring a unique area near downtown Auckland.

Sunday proved to be one of those 4 seasons in 1 day type days so David and I headed for Mission Bay and walked along the harbor toward downtown Auckland.  We were amazed at a gentleman swimming  in the Bay.  The ocean was rough with lots of waves.  This lone swimmer was several meters from the beach and swimming parallel to the beach.  He appeared to be going nowhere --- that is how strong the tides were.  Eventually reassured of his safety we continued walking.  There were also a number of folks sail boarding --- it was a perfect day for that and several even had a race.

View of Devonport from Mission Bay.

My new home choice facing the Bay --- there's room for everybody …..  I especially love the clock on top!

Minutes after this pix we were running back under this incredible tree for protection from the rain.

And Sunday night we orchestrated the Candle Lighting here in Howick at the Old Selwyn Church.  Here's a pix as we were just setting up.

There were only 9 brave souls for this first candle lighting so we all stood around the tray on the table in front and lit our candles and put them in the sand tray, did the readings,  listened to music and shared about our children.  This old 1800's church was a great setting to start the wave of lights that will continue for 24 hours across the globe.

And an appropriate ending to this blog requires no words.

Bimbling along through Hunua Regional Park

Sunday proved to be a perfect tramping day with some of our favorite people -  Carol and Sue and our favorite 4-legged friend, Archie.  We headed to Maraitai and Duder Regional Park --- the park where we get to roam with the sheep.  But to our dismay, Archie was not allowed.  We did a "think" and decided to drive through Clevedon for a cuppa and a little retail therapy and then onward to Hunua Park.  David and I have wanted to explore this park --- We aborted an attempt when we first arrived due to navigational difficulties and extreme rainy conditions.

At the very start of our tramp, this pix captures the spirit of the day.  Yes --- Carol is pretending to be behind bars ----- Hmmmmmm --- Is this perhaps what she is thinking about as she returns to work tomorrow after a 2 week holiday?

Hunua Falls!

What a perfect day!

We did the Cossey Gorge Track and the Massey Track.  This gives you an idea of the impressive native forest.  I just love all these ferns.  We are under the canopy of the fern trees and other trees which makes these tracks so pleasant.  Although the track was steep in parts the shade tempers the heat.

             There was even an area with giant kauri trees.  These always just strike you with awe!  Imagine when New Zealand was just covered with these trees.  No wonder they work so hard to preserve the ones they have and nurture new growth.

                  Archie is tilting his head as if to say, "What another picture?  Give a guy a break!"

Cossey  Reservoir

A bird on a wire!  But what bird?  A Kingfisher!  (I know you are wondering where that wire came from…) As you leave the dam, you walk along a road before entering the forest again ----- thus the wires overhead.

And every great tramp has a stream crossing.  David was feeling pretty cocky here --- in total control of these stepping stones.  Carol, Sue and I bimbled across with Archie loving the cool-down for his paws.

Starving at the end of our tramp, we made it back to Maraitai where most restaurants were already closing for the day.  We settled on the patio of a Mediterranean restaurant and enjoyed a scrumptious lunch/dinner overlooking the beach.

Aaaaaah --- what a life!

So have you figured out what my new favorite word "bimble" means?

Buzzing Bees to Buzzing Beaches

This past weekend was a regular life-on-the-island weekend.  Feeling compelled to write a blog since I haven't missed a weekend since starting ---- Here goes.

Friday started the weekend with a Holiday Party  at a Thai Restaurant for all the Zumba Classes at the Center.  We laughed our way through family stories as we celebrated staying fit.

After an intense zumba class for Nancy, these little piggies went up to market on Saturday where they bumped into neighbors and walking club buddies while stopping for a "cuppa" in the corner Coffee Shop.  Several errands later they collapsed on their mini couch for a think on how to attach a make-shift screen for the dining room window.  Velcro dots --- flexible screening ---- Voila!  A pretty awesome screen!

Now onto dinner at a teacher friend's home.  David was in for a new adventure.  The husband's hobby is bees. --- Yes --- David put on the full bee keeper garb and examined the hive with our new friend.   I wish I had my camera - words just can't do justice to this one.  A zillion questions and answers later we sat down to a scrumptious dinner with their whole family.  We left with a jar of their honey.

Sunday was 77 degrees --- a perfect day for exploring the North Shore.

Yes  David got his tootsies wet!  Notice Rangitoto Mountain in the background.  These beaches are more for swimming and have bigger waves.  These are bays right on the Pacific Ocean.

Yes I walked in the water also ---- I guess it's time to get out the swim suits --- the weather seems to have changed overnight.  

A long view of Takapuna Beach.  This photo doesn't do justice and the beach was actually crowded by New Zealand standards.  We traveled up this coast all the way to Browns Bay, another very popular swimming beach.

It never fails to amaze me how different all the coast lines are on the North Island.  Our little Howick Beach has low water levels even at high tide, although people still swim at high tide.  It is great for playing in and kayaking.  

We have much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving All

Midnight Madness to Waiheke Madness

Friday night was pizza night at the Rangitoto Cottage.   I seem to have mastered the art of making whole wheat pizza dough and rather enjoy rolling it out with a wine bottle.  Four pizza pies ready for toppings filled every inch of counter top.  Our guests brought a variety of toppings --- olives, pepperoni,  
peppers, onions, grilled eggplant, mushrooms, cheeses, and Carol's anchovies.  Wine flowed aplenty as we chatted and shared stories.    And then on to Midnight Madness at the town center.  The main street of Howick was closed to traffic and filled with  music and party goers.  Stores put some of their wares on the sidewalk and Christmas displays were lit up.  It is weird to even think about Christmas as the temperatures rise to 72 balmy degrees.

Saturday was a beautiful, sunny warm day so we headed to Waiheke Island for a long hike.  I made another friend on the ferry.  She is originally from Korea and has lived in Auckland for 20 years.  She was going to bring her husband a picnic lunch since he went over early to go fishing.  She told David I was beautiful so she is now my new best friend.  I complimented her nice big visor so she is meeting me in Howick to give me one.  We laughed for an hour as we shared stories.  David said the ferry seems to be a friend magnet for me.  Here is a pix of Lola, the first friend I met months ago on the ferry, who has become a close friend.

She is starting a garden in the yard of her flat and has just found more containers along the streets of Howick during inorganic trash week. (People get rid of all their junk and the city picks it up once a year - people usually scrounge through the stuff first)  It's a great way to clear out your house and garage but the town looks bizarre while this is happening -- big piles along the sidewalks.

We discovered a couple of these arty chairs as we trekked to the start of our trail.  Pretty much this is how we were feeling ---- a bit more like relaxing…

But we popped those backpacks on our backs and headed up the track by Matiatia wharf.  

Another view of the wharf from atop the ridge across from this.  Apparently I needed a break because I just kept taking pretty much the same picture.  Hmmmmmm

I always seem to find a friend  

What better place to stop for tea time!

Yes, that's me amongst the bush.  Notice the pathways that are weaved in throughout these hikes.  It was great to have some relief from the heat when walking through the forested areas.  This became a very hot day.  We came across a group of teens with an adult counselor that were really struggling with the steep inclines and the heat.  (lots of whining as we passed by)  Oh yeah we just scurried right by those young whippersnappers…

                                                 View of Church Bay in the distance

We finish the track and think an "iced something" is close at hand when you realize you have another hour walk into town.  No worries.  Of course a nice gentleman offered us a ride.  But David declined it.
All I could say was "what? what?" as I watched our ride fade in the distance….

After dinner we grabbed the luxury ferry back to Half Moon Bay where I was lulled to sleep.

Sunday was recuperation and errand day.  Another flip flops day --- so I guess we are moving into summer!

Here is a picture of some of the folks in my art class.  This has become such a fun time of week.  We enjoy each other's company and encourage each other's art.  The perfect atmosphere for trying something new.

Here is the painting my teacher thinks I should enter into the student art show - contrasting a blind contour drawing with a water color painting of the same flower.

I don't know -- I'm playing with learning how to let the water and paints do the work instead of just coloring everything in ----- much harder than it looks.

Here's another one I played with during the week.

I can't believe I'm actually uploading these to this blog but it just gives you an idea of what I'm doing in the water color class ---- so much to learn and practice.

Kia Ora

Happy Hour Haven

Friday Night we gathered at a friend's house to begin our excursion to the Harris' Beach House.  The love for the Awhitu Peninsula was evident in the way Carolyn talks about every aspect of this section of New Zealand and how generously she shares her beloved Beach House.  After a stop for fish and chips we curved our way through incredible country  --- rolling hills,  deep valleys,  sheep, cows, goats, rabbits, forests, vast coastlines ---- nature at its best to arrive at "a little peace of paradise" at the tip of the Awhitu Peninsula.

Holiday homes in New Zealand are referred to as a "bach"  but this was NO simple bach ----- This was a true beach house equipped with an incredible kitchen perfect for counter gatherings and chats that could last for hours, a perfect master bedroom, comfortable lounge, perfect bathroom, and a dormitory room upstairs built for the 7 dwarfs with 7 single beds covered with exquisite handmade quilts and colorful sheets.  I felt like Snow White as I choose my bed and could almost hear the chant of the 7 dwarfs as they clambered into their beds.  It was so cool!!

Carolyn, Steve and Katie are generous kiwis and their beach house is a gathering place for friends and family.  We were treated with a traditional kiwi dinner of lamb roast, roasted potatoes and kumara, carrots and asparagus and topped with pavlova, a very special dessert made with a merange covered with whipped cream and home grown strawberries ----- I'll just say "Yummmmmmmmmm"

Carolyn placing the bottom part of the pavlova into the oven for its slow bake.

                                             Katie in the lounge resting her broken ankle.

Steve and Carolyn the hostesses with the mostess!

Oh Yeah ---- Happy Hour began at 4:00 with nibbles and drinks and games or in this case puzzle time!

Big Bay Beach is a mere 5 minutes from the beach house.

After dinner Carolyn walked on the deck and saw a huge fire at the Holiday Park up the hill.  This picture doesn't do it justice but does capture the fireworks that were also going off.  The bottom fire was a huge bonfire.  This was a Guy Fawkes Celebration which is really celebrated on Nov. 5th but extends through the whole week.  This is also called Bonfire and Fireworks Night as people celebrate the Gunpowder  Plot of 1605 in the UK.  Guy Fawkes tried to place explosives beneath the HOuse of Lords  to kill King James 1 but was not successful.  This holiday was exported to New Zealand and has become bonfire and fireworks night.  David, Steve, and Katie went up to check it out since from the deck the bonfire looked out of control but all was cool --- just a crazy happy crowd celebrating...

As our relaxing weekend was coming to an end we stopped at the Manukau Heads Lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula.  We were able to go into the lighthouse, climb the stairs, and walk along the balcony on top ---- so cool.

View of the infamous Manukau Bar which is the grave of NZ greatest maritime tragedy when the HMS Orpheus ran aground on the tidal sandbar in 1863.  189 lives were lost.

Manukau Heads Lighthouse

The new lighthouse keeper!

Back to the rolling hills before heading back to Auckland!

A toast to the Harris family for sharing their paradise with us!