It was Bhavnis’ birthday but we both had work today 🙁 In the evening Bhavni when we got home there was a present waiting out side the door from Woody Manor – lots of chocolates.
14th July
We went to the gliding club in Drury, getting there for noon. The winter lecture was still taking place and we spent a while talking to Marion. We eventually pulled out some gliders and tried to fly – but the Pawnee broke down, so while we were waiting for the replacement we had lunch on a hill overlooking the place. Finally I flew as the last flight of the day – for some “spin” practise – getting cleared to carry passengers. Marion said she had put us down for the barbecue but had forgotten that we were vegetarian, so we respectfully declined and drove back to Auckland. We stopped at Silvia Park – intending to go to the cinema, but gave up when we saw the queues were like Harrow – instead we had a meal at Wagamamas before heading back home.
Thames School of Mines
15th July
We woke up earlyish and made our way to the Coromandel peninsula. We drove up to Thames and after getting some help from the I-Site there we went to the School of Mines. We payed $5 each and got a tour around the school (with another couple) by a gentleman who really was quite suited for it 🙂 He did a really nice explanation of the use of the place and the techniques that were developed there – as Thames was a gold mining town. After looking at the extensive mineral collection we then drove on to Coromandel town – which took a while as the road is quite windy. The views would have been amazing in clear weather – as it was they were just brilliant.
Looking at the train from the Eyeful Tower
At Coromendal town we went to the crazy potter railway (as recommended by David from the flying club). Its a railway on one of the steep hills – built by the potter, which he did – just because he could. It was an interesting ride – again in clear weather the views would be breathtaking. At the top there is the “Eyefull tower” which is a lookout tower where you can in clear weather see all the way back to Auckland. The train driver gave a talk about the work done here and on the way down asked Bhavni and I about moving here and generally had a talk.
We stopped at a cafe, then went on the way home – Bhavni fell asleep for most of the journey.
16th July
We went to the cinema in St Lukes to watch Spider Man in the evening.
17th – 20th July
Bhavni was on night shift and I went to work during the day.
21st July
After picking up Bhavni from her night shift and getting ready, we walked through Newmarket going to some travel agents (eventually sorting out out itinerary for our August break) We then headed to the museum which was displaying the wildlife photographers exhibit of the year. We got back around 4, and Bhavni had a Siesta for a bit as we had to meet Shelina and Grant. We met them at a restaurant right near Mt Roskil (White Swann Rd – Bhakanvala – Indian Fast food restaurant) and had Chatts and south Indian food. Amani was running around the restaurant enjoying herself. After, they came home and we had a nice propper cup of ginger tea (Grant, Bhavni and I) and cake. Shelina and Amani went for the ice cream.
Bhavni had a full week of work, I on the other hand did not.
The Airfield
16th June
With Bhavni at work, I went to the gliding club and after a morning of winter lectures by David about meteorology we went out to fly. It was quite a blustery day with easterly, but nevertheless I got into a single seater and managed to have a short flight (straight into -8kt). Thats what happens in easterlies at Drury, even with the nice sunny looking days.
Bhavni is British
18th June
We were both home as Bhavni had a day off. What comes in the post – the proof that Bhavni is now British – her passport.
Old Plane at Motat
19th June
Another day when Bhavni was not at work, so we went to the Motat. Its right near the zoo and Western Springs Park, spread over two sites. It was free entry for June. We went to the first site, which was the main site having exhibitions of older cars and trams as well as information about Sir Edmond Hillery and his explorations. We were amused by the first “ride” which was more of a childrens ride where there were a old Chinese couple who could not understand that they were not meant to sit in the children seats. Bhavni got talking to one of the restorers for the vehicles, who I think was glad for the company and talked for quite a while. Eventually we managed to extricate our selves and went to the other site which housed planes and exhibitions about famous aviation people.
Bhavnis Ambulance Plane
23rd June
In the afternoon we went for a long walk in Cornwall Park. Bhavni had a afternoon transport shift today and she had to do a pickup in a plane to Christchurch.
30th June
I picked up Bhavni from her night shift around about 10am and we went to straight to Drury. There were lectures going on, and we sat in for a while, but it was really cold, so we left early (Bhavni also was very tired). At home we just relaxed and had some guests come home – Bhavnis friends sister and her husband who had come to live here over 10 years ago. We had tea and cake (that Bhavni had made) and they recommended some shops for Indian supplies.
At the Western Springs Park
1st July
We were not sure what to do as the day was overcast, so I decided we should go to Point Chevalier, (after a detour to White Swann Rd to see where a shop was that the guests had recommended) where we had a walk on the beach at Coyle Park. The beach itself – not surprisingly – was quiet, but the playground near the car park was packed. We were feeling a little cold here near the sea, so we went a little inland to Western Springs park, parking on a hill on the side. The way to the park here was walking down through a quite nice forest path where we even saw an elephant from the zoo. The park was also quite busy (for Auckland standards), with lots of people enjoying the day with their families. We spent a quite a while in the park – circumnavigating the lake whilst having a lazy walk and enjoying the views.
2nd July
It was a cold day at home, but I got a phone call saying that I had a job
In the morning we woke up early as we had some tasks to do before Shamil arrived. We went to the post office near Green Lane to give in the passport form, but apparently they would not accept the new form number… After a little messing around we decided that it would be easier to go to the British Consulate in the city later in the day to get to the root of the problem. We drove to Sandringham and the market near there, getting some fresh food getting back early enough that I thought we should go to the Library and get our Library cards – they are really helpful here. We managed to get home dropped off the food before heading to the airport. We arrived in time as Shamil had just cleared customs and come out. It was pouring by now – Shamil had definitely brought the weather with him – so we just headed home and made ourselves comfortable and had pumpkin soup for lunch. We were going into the city to sort out the passport issue but Shamil was a little tired so we let him rest and left (he wasn’t impressed with the weather!), but luckily Bhavni said lets try another post office – the Newmarket one. I don’t know what the person behind the counter did, but somehow she managed to get the system to accept the form. So we were back home sooner than thought – only to find Shamil pretending to sleep in a our cold house! (its the NZ homes!) Dinner at Home – I made Beetroot Risotto.
Old Gold Mine
Wednesday 6th
We left at around 8.30am catching the SH1 and SH2 south. We stopped at a disused gold mining area somewhere near Kaimai Mamaku Forest, where there were some ruins across a bridge. Here Shamil and Bhavni took lots of photos till I had to drag them away so we could carry on. We headed past Tauranga, (the sun had come out and the beaches looked inviting), stopping at Wairu to buy a MP3 connector and finally with Shamil’s choice of music (oh oh) we carried on to Rotorua (mmm the smell of sulphur!). We checked into the Kuirau Lodge. Now that we were late…we decided to forego lunch and head to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, getting there just in time for the afternoon Mouri culture show (where Shamil convinced us that we were having a private show just of the three of us…only to find that we were the only ones waiting outside for a show that was already in full process indoors). We had a tour of the village (Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao meaning The gathering place for the war parties of Wahiao) and the use of the thermal waters for cooking and daily life. We saw the famous gysers erupting, but the weather had started closing in so the skys were grey. (all Shamils Fault – for bringing us the great British Weather, in addition to all the goods we had asked for especially the Velan)
Deconstructed Creme Brule
When we finished we went to the Polynesian Spa, where after catching a quick bite to eat we spent the next 3 hours in 38-42 degree hot water watching the light fade away by the lake Rotorua. After getting to the hotel and changing it was dinner time and after much contemplation we settled on the Mexican restaurant called The Mexican – fresh torillas yum, The yet hungry – Bhavni and Shamil wanted deserts so we went to a posher place afterwords. Back at the lodge in the British spirit – we watched the Queens Jubilee Concert.
Huka Falls
Thursday 7th
In the morning we went for a walk around Kuirau Park looking at the thermal pools there which were really nice, then having got some food (award wining pies apparently), we drove down the SH5 and SH1, where we stopped just near Toupo at the Huka falls. 7 Olympic sized swimming pools of water per minute. Just outside Toupo there was a look out point where we got our first real look at the lake and how massive it was. We carried on past to Turangi where we stopped for a late lunch – toasted sandwiches and chips. There was a tourist I-Site here and when taking to them we were advised to go into the national park on the mountain drive, and not just drive past on the desert road as we originally planned. Driving there we stated to get glimpses of the mountains (well volcanos) – they were sheathed in cloud but everynow and again parts were visible. When we got to the village on Mt Ruapehu we changed and went on the waterfall walk there, which was meant to be a 2 hour walk. Shamil and Bhavni went into photo overdrive here! The walk was brilliant – rugged terrain, sweeping vistas and forests. We got to the falls (9m high) and had a sit around though we got slowly wet with the sprey. When we were nearly back, Shamil realised that a part for his tripod attachment had gone….
Mt Ngauruhoe
As it was getting to sunset I drove further up the mountain road, but still driving we were nearly into the clouds so the view below was disappearing, so we headed back down towards lake Toupo. Getting to the main roads, the view of Mt Ngauruhoe was brilliant with the cloud disappearing and the red reflecting of the snow, so we took many photos. Driving to the Omori villages and checking in, we warmed up and got ready for dinner which was at the on site restaurant. It was a slightly strange meal (well I enjoyed it – but it was incomplete), grilled Holoumi and fried Camembert with salad. I enjoyed the wine and the deserts we nice. Well they threw the bottle of wine in after we pointed out the weird food. We had a really amazing view of the moonlight on the lake.
Sunrise over lake Taupo
Friday 8th
We woke up early to catch the sunrise over the lake. After checking out we drove north stopping at Taumarunui for some food at a cafe, before driving to the Waitiomo caves, stopping at a few places where the scenery was amazing. We bought tickets to two caves – first the Glowworm cave. As we were waiting, Shamil being Shamil suddenly said ohh no – looking at him he looked in a small panic and said he forgot his glasses – he was wearing his prescription sunglasses, but it was too late to go back. In the cave we had a guide showing us the cave and some of the formations before we had a boat ride in the dark seeing the expanse of blue light from the glow worms – well Shamil trying to see through his Sunglasses. After we went to the Aranui cave (Shamil had got his actual glasses on now), which had some really large stone formations and was quite a large cave.
At the caves
After the caves we went to a place which did horse riding, but it was too late in the day as it would be an hour trek and the horses took an hour to get ready. Its something for the future. We drove back to Auckland, stopping at a small Cafe for some dinner.
Saturday 9th
After a lazy morning we drove near to The Domain and we went to museum spending a bit of time there. I made Shamil walk all the way to Queen Street, which was a bit of a distance, but we got to a camera shop in time for him to get the tripod part. We caught the bus back to near the car and got ourselves take away Thai from De Grande and got ready.
Driving to Sky City we had a couple of drinks before we entered the theatre to watch the play “A Shortcut To Happiness” by Rodger Hall, which is a comedy “Ned’s life is just tickety-boo. Sure, he’s adjusting to retirement and life on his own, but he’s very comfortable with his lot. All that changes with his offer to sort out the financial woes of Natasha, an attractive Russian immigrant.” It was a funny play – lots of local humour – though we got nearly all of it. Afterwards we had a little drive around the city and across the harbour, but the rain reduced the views somewhat.
Sunday 10th
Being the last full day, we did not want to do too much running around, so we drove around to St Heliers Bay and parked there, slowly walking to mission bay, as Shamil was teaching Bhavni about using the SLR. At Mission Bay we stopped for a bite of lunch – Italian. On the way home we went shopping for some ingredients and made home made pasta – ricotta and spinach tortellini.
Monday 11th
Bhavni and I woke up early as it was her first day at work. Shamil woke up to say hello and bye to Bhavni before she left, before going back to sleep. After dropping Bhavni I had a couple of hours at home, before I had to drop Shamil to airport.
Today we drove to the west of Auckland to Massey, where we met Zulifiquar (Zuli for short), who had moved to New Zealand 9 years ago from Nyeri in Kenya. He drove us to Muriwai – a beach town – where we saw surfers braving the cold (on a black sand beach) and we had a walk around there seeing where the bird colony roosts. It was threatening to rain but the views were still brilliant. After we stopped at a cafe where Bhavni and I had chips – delicious, while Zuli had a burger. It actually started to rain at this point so we made our way back to the car and drove back to Zuli’s house, where we said a hello to Zuli’s son before heading back to home.
Monday 28th
We went to the city centre in the morning, where I applied for my IRD number and did some shopping and walking around coming home in the early evening. Sue had dropped 3 tickets for a show in the theatre which we had asked her for on Saturday – they were in a nice position.
Wine with lunch
Tuesday 29th
We had arranged to meet Shelina at her house in Gulf Harbour – just a little north of Auckland – in the morning, but as the day was so nice she phoned and said to meet her in Orewa, just a little bit further north, but avoiding going to the peninsula. Google maps tried and failed to direct us to McD, which was our meeting point. Anyway after meeting up, we got in her car, saying hello to her 2 year old daughter and drove up the coast to a vineyard where we stopped for a spot of lunch (with wine of course). Driving back we stopped for icecream, where we found that Shelinas daughter is even more of a icecream-hollic than Bhavni.
Evening coastal view
We went to Shelinas house – stopping on the way at their diving shop, where we had a masala chai and saw pictures of trekking in Nepal. We left just before dark – going past the city in the dark for the views.
Wednesday 30th
Spent most of the day doing work – well I slept for a bit in the sun in the day room. In the evening we went to St Lukes shopping center to the cinema, to watch “Men in Black 3” in a VMax screen. VMax is a little more expensive but the seats were leather and the screen was nice and large.
Thursday 31st
Again we spent a bit of time doing work before getting bored. We then decided to go for a drive, initially to Rumuera, before following Rumuera road and the signs towards Mission Bay. We had a quick stop on Tamaki drive and drove into MJ Savage Park for some new views. After we drove past Mission Bay before heading back.
CBD from Mt Eden
Friday 1st June
We went to the post office in the morning for Bhavnis UK passport application, but the gentleman behind the counter warned us that the form was an out of date form (0511) and would not be valid, as well as not having the marking on the first page (right in the printer margins). Well to be safe we left it (when we checked later there was indeed a new form – just out last month). Ignoring all this out next stop was Cornwall Park, where Bhavni and I sat reading and enjoying the sunshine. Lots of people were eating ice cream, and as Bhavni is known to be a bit partial to it, we went to the Cornwall Park Restaurant – but they did not do ice cream inside. Not wanting to walk out, as they already started looking for a table for us, we sat and had some finger sandwitches and a scone with tea, it was really nice. Leaving we found the icecream – just to the side. At home I was lounging and planning on the computer when Bhavni suggested we go up and watch the sunset from a mountain, now I heard wrong thinking she meant Mt St John, but what she meant was Mt Eden. I managed to get to the top and park literally just in time for the sunset, staying till well after dark for the views.
Saturday 2nd
I went to the Auckland Gliding Club in Drury, leaving Bhavni to work on her report at home. I had a great day as the weather was not too bad – managing an hour flight in a G102.
Sudden view from Mt Hobson
Sunday 3rd
After doing some work in the morning we went for a walk to Rumuera, walking to the library and going in. The libraries are really nice having lots of books, so we enquired about the joining procedure. On the way back we decided to climb Mt Hobson, the only mountain near us we had not climbed. The path up on the east side was a proper path for over half the way going through trees, giving sudden views. After admiring the views at the top we went down the way closer to us – quite steep when its muddy.
Monday 4th
Being a bank holiday Auckland would have been quiet and we spent most of the day indoors (the weather had closed in also) – Bhavni doing her report and me doing research for the next few days.
In the morning we got to the ASB bank in Newmarket for 10am and opened a bank account, signing up for credit cards. We walked around and window shopped before we went to our usual cafe, Bhavni having a chai latte, a flat white for me. I had an appointment with a hair dresser; managed to get a really short hair cut! We had a quiet night in.
Monday 21st
We spent the main part of the day doing a proper sort out of the shipment, putting all the things away.
Rugged Scenery
Tuesday 22nd
The day was meant to be lovely and we were going to make the most of it.We drove down Green Lane to Sandringham (where we stopped at the market to buy some fruit and vegetables) then south till Godley Road which we followed west, to Titarangi where we took Huia Road. We had a couple of stops on the way, mostly for Bhavnis photo opportunities including the reservoirs and Cornwallis where we were followed by some chickens. A little distance past Huia the road became unsealed, quite windy and much more narrow. There were also a lot more gradients as we were going up and down hills, but the scenery was brilliant with lush rain forest end every now and then a sea view. At the end we reached Whatipu which is important for Mouri as any vessel entering the harbour would be seen there in the old times. We parked and walked to the beach – a black sand beach, about 10 minutes away emerging not far from Paratutae Island. The only other person nearby was a lady who was painting the scenery hidden away, otherwise the beach was deserted. We had a walk on the beach and climbing a sand covered hill.
Black sand beach
Getting back to the car (after failing to find the caves) we drove back to Cornwallis on Pine Ave and sat for a picknick at the park there (after finding a bench in the sun), with a view of the bay and Auckland, where we relaxed for a time until we left for home.
Wednesday 23rd – Saturday 26th
We spend the days mostly sitting at home and doing work with daily walks either to newmarket or some of the parks. We did have a couple of visitors in the garden – cats – basking in the sun just outside the door. On Saturday we baked a cake.
