Royal Wedding

Just so you know, we do keep up with current affairs here in the colonies. Although interest in the regal nuptials seems pretty much confined to the sheilas. Us blokes had more important things on our minds. Like the Breakers winning the trans-Tasman basketball league. Anyway here is Noreen off to her soiree with a few other ladies to watch the big event. They all dressed up in hats and other finery.

Tauranga

I had intended to do a bit more on-the-spot blogging during our time in Tauranga but Noreen’s laptop died on the second day. So here is a catch up from the rest of the time there.

On Saturday we went over the Kaimai range to do the Te Waihou Walkway. It’s quite short, about 5Km each way. It follows the upper reaches of the Waihou River, initially through farmland (note the autumn colours).
Pukeko live on the river margins.
The water is exceptionally clear
and supports some brightly coloured aquatic plant life.
Generally it’s a slow moving, placid waterway
but there are a few rapids.
The end point of the walk is the Blue Spring from which most of the bottled water in New Zealand is obtained.
Sunday was Easter Day so we gave each other chocolate eggs as is the custom. Here the ladies are starting the day as they mean to go on (they did get up later).
I was given a train themed present!
Then we went to see the real thing at Mount Maunganui. This was part of the Jazz Festival which always takes place in Tauranga over Easter. Next year will be their 50th anniversary.

Monday was wet and miserable so we stayed in, then went to the pictures.

Waihi and Karangahake Gorge

We have come up to Tauranga for Easter, staying with our friend Ali. The weather prospects are not good but today we managed to stay dry and get a bit of walking in.

I have always wanted to have a look at Waihi. It is an old gold mining community with a sizable Cornish influence. This is the historic pumphouse, built in 1903.
It was moved 300 metres as it was in danger of subsiding and restored in 2006.

The Martha Mine is now open cast and operates in spite of environmental objections.

About 30Km inland from Waihi is the Karangahake Gorge.

This was also an early gold mining area and there are now many walking tracks that follow old tram and railway lines.

This tunnel goes through the rock high above the gorge floor.

There are viewing holes cut in the side of the tunnel so we could spy on people down below.

As well as the railway tunnels there is an extensive network of caverns and chambers that can be explored with a torch. It’s a bit too dark for photographs and flash would upset the glow worms so you’ll have to take my word for it.

Outside the old railway track beds make for good walking surfaces.

The last part of the walk folows the Lower Waitawheta Gorge which is a tributary of the Karangahake.

Ali had brought a thermos of hot water so were able to have cups of tea which went well with the hot cross buns she had also provided.

Breaker Bay

One of my favourite walks is the Eastern Walkway. This time we did it in reverse, starting at Breaker Bay travelling along the coast. There was a fair bit of bird life on the shore, seagulls and oyster catchers.

Noreen was intrigued by this gate decorated with knitted pieces. The design at the bottom left is the Maori sovereignty flag.

This is looking back across Breaker Bay. The track we will return on runs along the top of the hill, just below the houses.

The track leaves the coast at Tarakena Bay. This is close to the airport and planes appear to be landing into the hillside. (AirNZ Bombardier Q300 otherwise known as a Dash 8).

The view from further up the hill. The launching ramp is used for sea rescue if ever a plane comes down in the sea south of the airport.

This is a highly branching cabbage tree

and here are four lovely ladies resting on the path.

From the top there are good views over the entrance to Wellington Harbour. Here a ferry is departing, passing the spot where the Wahine foundered exactly 43 years before. I realised we were here a year ago.

And just like last year Sam was playing in a football match in the afternoon. Petone versus Olympic at Newtown Park. I thought Sam had a good game and Petone were 2-0 up at half time.

In the second half Olympic came back more strongly and Petone went to sleep a bit with the result that they lost 3-2.

In the evening the family were round for tea and we had an open fire as the evenings have been getting a bit cooler. Noreen decided she wanted the book collection sorted out and arranged logically. Jenny was given the task and was in her element investigating our eclectic tastes. She “borrowed” about half a dozen titles, as if she doesn’t have enough of her own!

The Hop Garden

Today we went for brunch at The Hop Garden. It's a newish venture, specialising in quality beers and good food. Andy and I had Townshend's Cathcarts Ale, delicious from the hand pump.

Jenny and Noreen had Tuatara APA which was incredibly fruity and hoppy.

Sam and Bex had coffee - claiming they were on call! We thoroughly recommend the establishment and will be back again before too long.

Now, just for Jeneane - close ups of Miranda's shoes. If I wasn't a bloke I might have got more meaningful shots. I will see if Jenny can oblige.

Admittance to the Bar

It might have been an April Fools’ joke, but no, it was official. Our clever daughter Jenny has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. The day started with Sam coming round for breakfast (as is his wont). Then we all headed down to the High Court where the ceremony was to take place. This notice removed all doubt as to the possibility it could be an elaborate con.

There were about a dozen new lawyers being admitted. They were all decked out in their wigs and gowns, and the judge looked magnificent in her regalia.

Afterwards Jenny posed for photos with her work colleagues,

Sean, an old friend from Dunedin,

Law Review conspirators

and her whanau.

Then it was down to the serious business of soliciting for custom at the entrance to the court.

Here she is with Miranda, her Moving Counsel (love her shoes).

We retired for a lunch to Martin Bosley’s restaurant at the Yacht Club, passing this fine kawau resting by the waterfront.

I can report that it was a fine lunch with sophisticated conversation (Miranda and Andy)

sibling advice

and the obligatory family photo.

Lastly for Gill, here is the view of the Old Government Buildings from ground level, taken outside the High Court.