Sunday, 4 March: The bad weather didn't affect Feilding much, and we left with Max as our driver and Cathy as our guide to explore the Wairarapa. The weather improved as we drove south. We stopped at the Mt. Bruce Nature Sanctuary just south of Eketahuna. In previous years there was not an admission fee...just a suggested donation. Now it is $20/adult. It is probably money well spent, but since we had been there before, we continued south. Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, and Martinborough are the towns that make up the area. In recent years this has become an important wine making region of the North Island. With that has come an increase in tourism. It is a favorite "day away" destination for Wellingtonians. We had lunch in a nice cafe in Carterton, and ambled through the shops there and in Greytown. From Greytown we drove out to Martinborough. Not only is it Cathy's hometown, but it is the center of the wine growing of this area. We drove past the church where Cathy and Max were married, and she pointed out her family's farm and home. We stayed in Masterton at a lovely motel called the C******nay. Best features? A large spa tub in the bathroom, no telephone or internet! Monday, 5 March: Another sunny day! We spent the day exploring around Masterton. There was some debate over whether it is a town or a city. We started just south of town with a walk at the base of Mt. Holdsworth. There is a beautiful reserve and a excellent walking track. On the way back we called in at the studio of our favorite potter, Paul Melser, where I bought some mugs to replace the ones that broke in transit last time! Back in Masterton, we had a good look around town. Best feature? Queen Elizabeth Park. We had a picnic lunch in the park and then walked through the fernery and the rose garden. It is a huge park with all sorts of amenities. We did a bit of shopping and visited the Aratoi Museum and Art Gallery. It contains an excellent multi media history of the area, and some very interesting art. Tuesday, 6 March: More sun! We did some grocery shopping, left , and drove east to Castlepoint on the east coast. It is about an hour's drive over the usual narrow winding roads we have come to love. We checked in to our motel across the street from the beach, had lunch and a rest, and then set out to walk up to the lighthouse. The path to the lighthouse is a very good gradual concrete walkway and then about 100 steps to the top where there is a viewing platform. There were men working on repainting the lighthouse wtih one of them hanging by a harness at the top. We were treated to a show by a couple of playful seals cavorting near the rocks below, a kite surfer trying valiantly to get going, and wonderful views. Our two bedroom motel flat had a full kitchen and a barbeque; so we cooked ourselves a feast before taking an evening walk on the beach and watching a lovely sunset. Wednesday, 7 March: Sun again!! I got up early (before 7am) to watch the sunrise. It was glorious. I was sitting on the porch having my breakfast when I saw a couple of horses and riders go down to the beach to get in some practice for the beach races which will be held on Saturday. I went over to the beach to get a closer look and was rewarded with some good photos. As I was walking back to the motel, a group of school kids were coming down to the beach with their teacher for surf school. It is a part of the curriculum. There is a big push in NZ to be sure children are literate about water safety. Castlepoint is such a beautiful spot. I can't believe we never got here before. By 10am we were packed and ready to continue our tour. We drove north to Pongaroa and then eaast again to the seaside village of Porangahau. We had our picnic by the sea, a walk on the beach, and then began our drive inland north west with stops at Waipawa and Waipukerau before heading home to Feilding. Thursday, 8 March: The wind has been howling a gale since we arrived home in Feilding last night. It was warmer in NH today than it is here! Today has been fit only for reading and napping...and catching up on email and this journal after an absence of internet for four days. Friday, 9 March: Another blustery day. Went to the local cinema to see The Duel based on the novella by Anton Chekov. Cathy and I loved it, Buzz and Max, not so much. In the evening we went out for dinner and then home to start packing. Saturday 10 March: A morning of sorting and packing, and then a drive to Himitangi Beach. CAathy and Max had a little bach at Himitangi when we lived here, and we had many memorable times together. It was so crowded today at the beach...more people than we have ever seen there. Everyone joked it was the first day of summer! In the evening we went to David and Lyn Broad's home for a wonderful dinner. We look forward to welcoming them to our home next year. We'll finish paclking in the morning, have lunch with Cathy and Max and head to Hawkes Bay and the next leg of our journey.