Sunday, 25 May 2014

Waikanae Beach and Nga Manu Nature Reserve

A rathur wet and windy weekend at Waikanae didnt stop us getting out and about. On saturday morning we had a blow along the beach and watched the kite surfers risking their lives in the pretty rough seas. I the afternoon we had our first visitors! Graema and Wilma came down from Taranaki to see us. 
Sunday was still quite blustery with occasional heavy showers, but we managed to dodge them mostly and did a bike ride and went to a local nature reserve.
The bird managed not to poop; not so sure about Lindsay!

Sunday, 18 May 2014

The Wairarapa and Palliser Bay

It has been a lovely autumn weekend with bright sunny days and cold frosty nights. On Saturday we travelled over to the south east side of the North Island to the Wairarapa valley region. A lovely flat wine growing region with hills surrounding in the distance. In the late afternoon we attended a concert in Masterton; a performance of The Armed Man written by Karl Jenkins and performed by local amateurs. A wonderfully evocative and emotional piece performed really well. 
Overnight we stayed in Martinborough at a small B&B called The Martinborough Connection. We were made very welcome and well fed for breakfast.
On Sunday we travelled down to the far south to Palliser Bay with views along the bay and the South Island in the distant horizon. A short walk along a river bed took us to the Putangirua Pinnacles.
Difficult walking along rocky ground, we only got slightly wet!
We had lunch at the Lake Ferry Hotel which boasts the best fish and chips in the world. They certainly were very tasty.
Back home now in Waikanae ready for another weeks work!?

Sunday, 11 May 2014

A weekend on call!

We havent been far from home base this weekend as Roger has been on call. Not too busy but needed to be able to go into clinic if necessary.
However we did manage to get out and enjoy the unseasonaly warm autumn weather with a long bike ride on Saturday and a power walk on the beach on Sunday.

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Hunterville

This weekend we have travelled up north to Hunterville and spent a lovely weekend with Jude and Barry. Once again we've been royally entertained and given a guided tour around the area. There was  bungy jumping at Gravity Canyon; couldnt quite face it just before lunch, but maybe one day?!
Lovely views along the Waiouru valley the Rangitikei river and the Tonariro National Park and Mount Ruapehu in the distance shrouded in clouds.