Non-stop sun, sea, and sand.

During my holiday we went for a 4-night stay at Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula. This meant that Sue and Greg got a break too, which was good.

 

This was our base....the Pacific Harbour Resort.

 

The chalet was very cosy,,,,,,,,,,and very hot as the weather was glorious!

 

This view and the one below were less than a minute's walk from our chalet

This is Mount Paku.

 

I had hoped that the pohutakawe trees would still be full of blossoms--they are known as New Zealand christmas trees-- but sadly, this was the best I could find.

 

A Day at Hot Water Beach

 

This seems like a perfectly normal beach.

 

Here it is in the morning.... 

 

 

.....and here is the afternoon view.

 

What happens is that,at certain times of the tide, people arrive with their spades and dig holes in certain places, which fill with very hot water in which they sit and relax.

The temperature this day was 26 degrees!! So hot the sand burnt our feet!

 

So we just found a lovely shady spot to chat and read and watch everyone else get hot and sweaty.     Perfect!!!     This was a fantastic day in wonderful company.

 

Me and my son-in-law in a beautiful shelter under the trees facing the sea.

 

 

Also during our time away we visited Whitianga, where we took a ferry across to Ferry Landing.

This must be the smallest public library in the world!

It's smaller than our dining-room.

Ferry Landing is home to a peaceful beach, Flaxmill Beach, where we sat and relaxed in the sunshine for a while.

 

Our last day was, thankfully, a bit overcast and cooler, so we went to Whangamata and looked round some delightful shops.

We tried the beach but it was a wee bit too cool for sitting around!

 

So back to the chalet we drove for a delicious tea and an exciting game of Scrabble, which I lost.......Big Time!!

All too soon, it was time to return to Auckland (and to work for Greg).

These have been a special few days together.

 

 

 

 

 

 







It's a long way........to New Zealand!

24 hours actual flying time! Then add on hanging around in airports and any delays, and it seems forever!!!

 

 

It's funny how all airports look pretty much the same. This is Hong Kong airport, taken after an 11 hour flight and a two hour wander, with two and a half hours still to go before the next leg of the journey.

It was wonderful to see the sun shining, but I've left it a bit late as it is almost setting. Well, I was rather tired and weary by this time!

 

 

Wow! I left England on Feb 7th, arrived in N.Z. on Feb 9th, and now suddenly it's Christmas!

Sue and Greg had kindly left the tree in place so that we could celebrate a belated Christmas together. We exchanged presents, drank some wine, and then at last it was bedtime.......zzzzzzzzzzz.

 



All Wrapped Up

 

Little does she know, but in a short while this little girl is going for

'the essential operation'. (to be spayed!!) and she looks so contented.

 

She is now the latest model for a bright red medivest and is NOT happy!  

 

 After rolling around and scrambling up walls and curtains trying to remove the offending item of clothing, she has given in and gone to sleep.

The vest is like a kitten babygrow, hugging her body and fastened at the bottom with press-studs, so there is no escape.

 

Of course, she has to eat.....

 

and come for the occasional cuddle.....

 

 





but most of the time she just sits and glares at us!

'WHAT have you done to ME?'

 

Well, only ten days to go before the vest comes off and the stitches are removed. Hopefully Tammy will then be back to her normal self!

Sunnier Climes

In early January I swapped the frozen wastes of England's winter for the warm and sunny New Zealand summer. Here is a flavour of it.

 

 

Mother and daughter on a lovely stretch of beach.

 

 

Surfing waves!

 

 

The shell-seeker.

 

These are just to whet your appetite.......more news and views to follow later!