It was a rainy afternoon when we arrived. Late in the afternoon I walked up to the town of Oneroa (5 min walk) to buy some groceries for dinner. It was getting less rainy so we all walked up to the Oyster Inn for a pre- dinner snack and drink. What a great place - Leigh and I sipped on some yummy Waiheke island wine and slurped some oysters (bluff and rock oysters) - they were delicious! The kids has some homemade lemonade and we chatted to the locals. The island has a lovely relaxed vibe and we are looking forward to exploring it. Back at home we cooked a chicken and roast potatoes and then it was off to bed.

The next morning dawned brighter and after brekkie we walked up the hill (and then down the hill) to Oneroa beach. This is a lovely flat beach with little surf. A great dog walking beach, the kids lives collecting their "clam" shells to make Clamtown (governed by President Abraclam Lincoln). A quick swim later (it was pretty cold but nice once you got in!) and we wandered back to the house.

Leigh needed to get in a training run so she headed off to Onetangi while we caught the bus an hour or so later. There is an easy and efficient bus network on the island. We arrived at Onetangi (another lovely north facing beach) to meet Leigh at Charlie Farleys - a cafe right on the beach. We all shared some lunch plates and then went for a swim - this time a little more surf but still very benign. We caught the bus back to Oneroa and had some quiet time. That evening we went to a lovely Italian restaurant (Fenice) in town and we walked back to the house tired from a great day.

The next morning we decided to rent a car to be able to explore the western part of the island. Waiheke island is beautiful but quiet hilly. I walked back to the Ferry terminal and picked up a car and drove back to the house (via the butcher). We began our drive out to Man o War bay. The scenery in the west is very different from the east - much dryer but full of green pasture and vineyards. Half of the western half of the island is owned by the Spencer family (made their fortune in toilet paper - there you go!). After about an hours drive we arrived at the Stoney Batter WWII fortifications.

Stoney Batter was a town built in secret to provide protection for Auckland in case of attack by the Japanese. There isn't much left but it was still an enjoyable walk around the boulders sheep and cows - the views across to the Coromandel were stunning.

Our walk over it was time to have a glass of wine. The Man o War winery is right on the bay and is without doubt the most amazing cellar door I have seen. Right on the water - we grazed over lunch and had a few glasses of wine (Valhalla C******nay a favourite). The kids went for a swim in the bay and we then drove onwards to Opua and the rest of the island. It was time for a coffee so we drove on to Onetangi to the Sandshack for a coffee while the kids went for another swim. The wind was picking up and it had been a long day already so we drove back to the house at Oneroa for a rest before dinner. I went up to the Art Gallery which was excellent - amazing corrugated iron painting of a cow!

The kids went for one last trip to the beach and we then met at Oyster inn for a sundowner. The sun was a beautiful afternoon glow as we sat on the balcony - the kids with their lemonade and Leigh and I with another glass of wine (I see why they call Waiheke the island of wine!)

Back at the house I BBQ'd some lovely NZ lamb and scotch fillet and organic kumera.
The next morning we cleaned the house and then returned the car to the ferry terminal and caught the 10am ferry back to Auckland. Waiheke has exceeded our expectations - a beautiful island, lots of friendly people, gorgeous wine and a perfect size to explore over 3 days - we would love to come back!!