Waikanae Beach and the Hemi Matengea Track

This weekend was another three day weekend with Friday being ANZAC day in New Zealand, it is a public holiday. On friday night we were invited to a Murder Mystery party. Good fun but completely bamboozled by the plot! On Saturday we were invited to one of the doctors in Otaki Medical centre's house. We were royally entertained and they have offered the use of their house while they are away for the next four weeks! Everybody here is very generous.

Today we took a long bush walk up the Hemi Metanga track which takes you to the summit of the hill behind Waikanae. A hard climb up to the summet took just over an hour but worth it for the spectacular views over the Kapiti coast, Kapiti Island and the South Island in the distance. We also saw several Tui in their native habitat.

Wellington at Easter

We are now back at "home" in Waikanae Beach. We have had a great few days in Wellington, despite being quite quiet, all the locals having desterted their capital city for the long Easter break. We found some fantastic Malasian and Asian fusion restaurants to eat at, so much bettter than some other cuisine we've had.

Yesterday we went to Otari-Wiltons Bush, a botanical park where they have tried to just include native plants to New Zealand. In the afternoon we had a bit of cultue at the Royal New Zealand Ballet -Coppelia. We both really enjoyed the fantastic music and Lindsay particularly enjoyed seeing the athletic male dancers in all their glory!

Back to work tomorrow, but it's a three days week as there's another holiday on Friday for ANZAC day.

Wellington

Happy Easter to everybody.

We have come back to Wellington for the Easter weekend, where we hope there is lots to see and do. Having arrived around lunchime the city seems very quiet with most Wellingtonians having deserted the city and headed north, judging by the long queues of cars out of the city. However some bars and restaurants seem to be open so we wont starve. After a lunch on the dockside we walked around the harbour and back through the city on what has turned out to be a rathur warm late summer's day.

Waitarere Forest Walk and Otaki Medical Centre Social Event

 Roger has competed his first full week at his new placement in Otaki and Lindsay has started Bridge lessons and doing some Samaritans shifts. This weekend we have been very active, on Friday we biked along the Waikanae River trail,a beautiful ride along the the river bank and back, all fairly flat! On Saturday we took part in the Waitarere Great Forest event with several members of Otaki Medical Centre. Just really a 5Km stroll but good fun. Following this there was a practice social event BBQ in one of the doctor's houses. We were made very welcome and well fed and watered.

Today we took another walk along the beautiful Waikanae beech before relaxing with a pint in the beach front bar.

Sunset Terrace and The Kapiti Coast

Roger has finished his first few days at Otaki Medical Centre. It is a six doctor practice with about 7000 patients serving a small coastal town. About 30% of the population are Maori.

We have started exploring the area on our bikes, yesterday taking the Kapiti Coast Cycle Trail southwards to Paraparamu.

Sunset terrace is living up to its billing.

Waikanae Beach

We have now arrived in Waikanae Beach where we will be living for the next three months. Our accommodation is definitely palatial compared with the previous batch. Roger will be working in the next small town up the coast in Otaki Medical Centre starting tomorrow. So spent the morning meeting the staff in the medical centre and picking up the hire car. This afternoon we explored the small town which is Waikane and deciding what we can do with our leisure time.  The area is flat so we can continue biking, there is also a gym in the town and a swimming pool not far away.

The beach is looking stunning with views along the Kapiti coast and over to Kapiti island.