Journey round the North Island

This post covers ten days of fairly intense travel. The photographic record is not complete but here are a few images to give an idea of what we did.

Wop, Gill, Rosie, Dan and I set out on Monday February 18th. Here they are by one of the thermal pools in Tokaanu. We stayed the first night in Taupo and set off the next morning via the Huka Falls. (that red blob in the upper left is a person!) Arriving in Rotorua we visited Lake Tarawera where it was demonstrated again that the Poms like paddling.

The lake with Mount Tarawera in the distance.

We spent Wednesday morning in Rotorua, visiting the museum and heading up the gondola to the luge track.

Rosie and Dan left that night from Auckland. The rest of the family gathered in Takapuna to celebrate the actual date of my 60th birthday which was on Friday. I had a nice cake

and various presents, some of which are unsuitable for display in a family blog!
The day was supposed to have been spent on Tiritiri Matangi but the weather was awful and the boat trips cancelled for three days so we didn't get there which was a bit disappointing.

We did get out on the Sunday, visiting a Gannet colony
at Muriwai beach.

On Monday 25th we left Auckland and travelled to New Plymouth, taking the Forgotten World Highway from Taumarunui to Stratford.

We spent a couple of days in New Plymouth before returning to Wellington.

Wop and Gill are now in the South Island. Noreen and I join them in a fortnight to cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail. Expect an update in about a month.

Wop and Gill arrive

Here they are landing at Auckland on Saturday and emerging from immigration and customs.

Today Dan, Rosie and Noreen went on a 7.5Km fun run.

They did well and we all met up in the Brewery where Wop had his obligatory tasting tray.

This afternoon some of us went to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary where we saw this magnificant koru,

several species of birds including kaka

and a couple of tuatara sunning themselves.

Tomorrow we are off on a tour up through the North Island. Expect an update early in March.

A mighty weekend

Nico has covered the party. It was an awesome affair and I thoroughly enjoyed it but don’t have any photos to prove it. Here is the cake.
Yesterday we were in recovery mode. Here is Denise relaxing

We did manage a walk along the Eastern Walkway that we have done before. The weather was hot and sticky with a bit of rain on the return leg. There are some stunning views

Afterwards we had a barbecue and used up food left over from Saturday. It was also Nico’s last weekend with us – he returns to Germany today. We presented him with a card

and small gifts – a waka to ensure he returns to Aotearoa and Phoenix scarf so he remembers the best football team in Australasia..

Here is Nico cutting the pavlova.

We wish Nico bon voyage and look forward to seeing him back in Kiwiland before too long.

Kaitoke

On Sunday we went to the Pakuratahi Forks area of the Kaitoke Regional Park. This is where the Pakuratahi river joins the Hutt river.
We had a picnic
amongst the bush

before setting out on the Swingbridge Walk. Here is part of the group.

The river has some fine swimming holes.

Nearby is the location for Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings film.
Andy and Ingmar went off on the 3 hour Ridge Walk

the rest of us took the gentler walk through more bush

admiring many epiphytes growing up in the forest canopy

and some silver fern

Here we are on the swing bridge at the end of the track which loops back to the beginning.

The English women paddled as is their wont.

Rosie and Dan have arrived!

My niece and nephew, Rosie and Dan, arrived today from the UK. They flew direct from Heathrow via Hong Kong and Auckland. We have been keeping them awake by feeding them, showing them the sights and feeding them some more. Here are a few photos to prove they are here (mainly for their parents’ sake!).