Week 8

Monday, February 1, 2010

Yesterday was just a day to stay home and read. The wind and rain continued until late in the evening. Cathy and Max came home from sunny, warm Hawaii to rainy, cool Feilding. But I had hot scones waiting; so it wasn't a total loss! Today is more of the same. I did some errands and sorted out photos on the computer...so many photos. This afternoon, Buzz and I went to Palmerston North to do a little bargain hunting. He got the bargain of the day ...a Canon AE1 Program camera with a Canon FD300mm lens for NZ$50 (US$35) It is in pristine condition in a carrying case. Now all we have to do is find some film to put in it!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Summer is back. It is still windy, but the sun is shining and the temperature is rising. This morning we had morning tea with Roger and Doris Berry. Buzz worked with Roger at the Feilding Vet Club. They have moved into town from their farm nearby. their daughter has the farm now; so they still get a chance to go out to help. It was, as with all our friends, great to catch up with them. This evening we went to Palmerston North to have dinner with Helen and Bob Chong. It was a delightful evening, and we were pleased to learn that their son, Steven and his wife live in Cambridge, MA now. That means we will see them more often.

Wednesday February 3, 2010

Today we went to have lunch with Howard and Jackie Williamson. We stayed until late in the afternoon. They are fun and interesting people. They are responsible for the sculpture of the hose and drover you will see in this blog. In the evening, David and Lyn Broad came over for dinner. We heard more about Steamboat and Hawaii and talked into the late evening. Have I said how lucky we are to have these friends?

Thursday, February 4, 2010

I got a haircut this morning. Buzz says my brother had more hair that I have now! It is going to be very easy to care for. We took a ride to marton with the Blacks to check out...you guessed it...a second hand shop. Nothing we couldn't live without, but a fun trip. In the evening we went to Palmerston North to see the Seven Irish Tenors in concert. It was OK. Their music is great to listen to...their shtick is a bit much.

Friday, February 5, 2010

We packed up for the weekend this morning, and changed the sheets on our bed in order to sublet our room to Cathy and Max's daughter Maria and her husband, Frank! they arrived around mid morning and we all had lunch together. They are here for the 50th reunion celebration at their church. Buzz and I headed north-west to the Taranaki area best known for Mt. Taranaki (Mt. Egmont) an active volcano which dominates the landscape for miles around, and for the very good surfing beaches along the west coast. We found accommodation at the Opunake Holiday Park in a small self-contained unit that is about a minute walk from the beach.
We took a long walk on the beach, came back to the unit and made our supper and went back out for a sunset walk on the beach. I think I must have lived near the sea in another life because I love to be near it!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

We had another walk on the beach at Opunake this morning and got to watch the local kids having their surfing lessons. After about an hour on the beach we began our drive to New Plymouth and points north. we had a quick look around New Plymouth, and then stopped at Onaero where we saw a sign for a wood turner's gallery. I read my book in the shade of the pergola while Buzz discussed woodworking with the guy. We thought we would find another beach front campground further north. Alas, we had to turn around after a lovely picnic lunch and return to Fitzroy just north of the city where we found our spot for the night. Another campground with cabins only a minute walk from the beach. As it was Waitangi Day (depending on your point of view the anniversary of the day when the English made peace with the Maori or the day when the English stole the country from the Maori) there was great activity at Fitzroy beach including free rides into the surf on the Surf Lifesaving motor boat zooming through the waves. We watched. After a walk on the beach we went into New Plymouth to have dinner and a walk around town. Back at the campground, we took a walk on the last kilometer of the Coastal Walkway which is 6Km altogether. At the end, we walked down to the beach and along the beach back to the campground. We parked ourselves on a rock and stayed to watch the sunset. Glorious.  

Sunday, February 7, 2010

We left Fitzroy this morning and drove back to Feilding stopping at Kai-Iwi beach for our picnic lunch...are you seeing a theme here? The sand on all of these west coast beaches is black iron sand. It gets very hot in the sun and is very sparkly. Unless you are walking right near the water, or have feet of steel as the kids here seem to, sandals are necessary beach wear. We stopped at what was left of the farmers/flea market in Sanson and got some veggies. Tonight we went to the movies with Cathy and Max to see Did you Hear About The Morgans. It was okay. the dinner afterward was better!

Tomorrow we will start getting organized for our trip to Australia. We leave on Wednesday evening for Tasmania.