Author: timdar

And you can spot from Eileen’s coat that it’s a bit chilly – quite a bit below freezing.  Breakfast and a day of heavy sightseeing to come.

But first, a nice pic (taken by me on Jo’s nice camera) on her 21st.

But then it’s sad and dull.  We were on an earlier flight than Jo, so last selfie of the three of us …

…and leaving her to her own devices in Auckland.  It’s the last time we’ll see her until she returns in the summer.  

Not much else to do but practice selfies as we say farewell to NZ – it’s been fantastic.

Cheers!  Couldn’t miss that one!

It’s the overnight to Beijing.  Leaving Sydney at 9.00 tonight.  We have clawed back 2 hours today so are only 11 hours ahead of the UK – tomorrow a further 3.

It’s Friday 9th January, although am actually posting this on Saturday morning, just before we head off the Auckland Airport.  It’s 4 weeks to the day since Eileen and I flew into Queenstown from Sydney, and without doubt it has been the best holiday ever.

Before we go, a couple more pictures.  NZ finally did its best to remind us of home by providing an hour’s delay due to roadworks on their main highway down to Auckland.  Fond memories of the M25 … but at least, as we said, it wasn’t too hot (23), or it would have been unbearable :o)

And on the M25 you don’t find cars like these parked at a roadside cafe ..

…. nor views like this when tucking into a much-needed bacon and egg pie.

So a bit later than we wanted arriving at our final stop, but a great view of Auckland from the balcony.

But the final bonus, which gave us all a lift, was to be invited to Natalie and her parents for a farewell barbecue.  Natalie was one of Jo’s Kiwi hosts down in Dunedin (feels like a long time ago since we were there), and Jo and Natalie shared a road trip through NZ a few weeks ago.

Bit of pianoing and singing (not me!).

And then to Beijing (Eileen and me) and a road trip from Sydney to Cairns for 3 weeks (Jo).

After the exertions of the tobogganing it’s back to the plane for take- off.

All wired up and ready to go.  Change of seating as one of the other passengers was not enjoying the motion in a small plane so we all agreed to put him up front.  It didn’t help, poor guy.

A few more shots from the return journey.

This is Russell, just across the bay from our house and where we took the ferry to a couple of days ago.

Terrific!  Then a quick change before we go out for Jo’s 21st dinner in the evening.

A cocktail ( of course).

And even a special birthday pudding from our lovely waitress (who comes from Staffordshire!).

So Daniel takes us to some nearby sand dunes (with surfboards).  That’s us at the top (and yes, it was a tough climb).

And off we go …

That really is me!

I have been told that the video clips don’t work on iStuff, but if you can make these work you can see the full experience.  Awesome!

Awesome number 1 – it’s Jo’s 21st today.  We’re very, very proud of her.  It was a lazy morning with a chocolate muffin doubling up as a birthday cake and as breakfast.  Then off to the airport for a flight up to Cape Reinga.  It’s easy to find – just keep going north until NZ stops and that’s where it is.

Jo is 21 and could fly a plane (except she doesn’t really know how), but we relied on Daniel, our pilot, instead.

The scenery just kept coming and coming.

Then we flew over 90 mile beach.  Two questions:

1.  How long is it?  Answer – 64 miles.  It’s a long story …

2.  Who do you find there?  Well, it’s designated as a proper highway that you can drive on, so they really do have our friendly traffic policemen keeping order.  I suppose it beats the M6!

Coming in to land, a turkey flies alongside, presumably for fun.

Another beach.

Then Cape Reinga, where the signs are pretty self-explanatory.

The waters weren’t especially turbulent today, just a few little ripples.

Here we are, right at the top of NZ.

Here’s the lighthouse – it’s a long long way to anywhere from here.

And up the hill.  Probably doesn’t work that well, but what I’m trying to show is between my arms I can see land – all the rest is sea, so we’ll over 300 degrees.

Then stopped for tea and cake on the beach.  I also found my long-lost triplets :o)

It really was tea and cake laid on, including a tablecloth!

Part 2 to follow shortly.

We’re nearing the end of our mammoth trip, and enjoying being in one place, and a fabulous one at that.  

A final piece of Maori culture is Waitangi – where the British and Maori signed a peace treaty in 1840 (and they still celebrate Waitangi Day each 6th February).  

You start with an easy walk through the rainforest – almost deafened by the noise of the crickets.

And into the Maori Carved Meeting Hall.

Surprisingly came across some Jo lookalikes.

And at last found some waterfalls.

A late afternoon ferry trip across the bay to Russell and then back to our balcony for fish and chips (again).

That’s Russell from our balcony.

Not reflections such as we saw in Lake Matheson a long time ago, but a few random thoughts about NZ.  Not surprisingly, we hung around the house for most of the day, lapping up the views and the home comforts, and I think for the first time since we left home didn’t take a single photo. 

1.  Wifi

Nowhere near enough of it.

2.  Policemen

Far too many of them.

3.  Sun

Sounds a bit daft to say it, but it’s very hot.  Apart from gloating that we have seen so much of it, it is noticeably hotter than the UK.  So if the temperature is 23 (which it has been a lot), it is very pleasant when it’s cloudy.  But when the sun comes out, it is noticeably warmer.  Hope that makes sense.  Perhaps we’re nearer the sun or the lack of ozone or something like that.

4.  Curtains

All houses have been fantastic.  But without exception, the curtains have been thin which means sunlight streams in before 6.00.  Just re-reading, not getting much of the sympathy vote so far!!!

5.  Cracks in a Windscreen

Plain nail polish works a treat.  (Well, I did say they were random.)

6.  NZ TV

Rubbish (apart from Australian MasterChef which is on 5 times a week).  News is invariably about road accidents, risks of bush fires and barbecues.

7.  NZ TV Adverts

A lot of them, and all about sales at Harvey Norman or buying NZ Avocados.

8.  NZ Radio

Like UK local radio from about 30 years ago (including the adverts – get some free gel with your haircut at the local hairdresser).

But we love it here, and will be incredibly sorry to leave.

And here are a few random photos to finish off today.

Guess who?

Frozen Yoghurt.

It was 250 miles (or 400km in NZ currency), but WOW!

This is our little house is Paihia.  Into the living room …

… and then out on to the balcony.  Impossible to really give an impression, but here goes.  Step outside and look left ..

… then straight ahead …

… then to the right.

As I said, WOW.  Not sure whether this will come out, but here’s a short video clip.

…  but one of us was driving so stuck to coke :o(

Tried to get the full moon over the bay, but not the greatest photo, so you have to use your imagination.