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Travel with Elaine and Buzz
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Location Date North America 1512000000 Oceania 
1490486400 Europe 1373324400 Asia 1370559600 -
Location Date New Zealand
1490486400 Norfolk Island 1457827200 Victoria 1395532800 South Australia 1142467200 -
Location Date Auckland 1490486400 Tauranga
1489881600 Feilding 1489276800 Queenstown 1488672000 Golden Bay 1488067200 Sandspit 1482019200 Whangarei Heads 1459897200 Westport 1454716800 Auckland, Tauraga, Ohope 1452902400 Red Beach 1394928000 Birchville 1393113600 Greymouth 1392508800 Waimate 1391904000 Ohope 1390694400 Helensville 1332547200 Pyes Pa 1331942400 Pine Haven 1328572800 Red Beach And Mt. Albert, Auckland 1326067200 Red Beach And Mt. Albert, Auckland 1326067200 Feilding To Tauranga 1267747200 Feilding To Tauranga 1267747200 Feilding 1266710400 Pinehaven 1264118400 Collingwood 1263686400 Miranda Hot Springs 1261526400 Thames 1143414000 Nelson 1140739200 Wellington 1138406400 Silverstream 1138406400 Red Beach, Auckland 1137110400 Red Beach, Auckland 1137110400 -
Location Date Sun, 19 March 2017 1489945560 Sun, 19 March 2017 1489881600 Sun, 25 December 2016 1482685860 Sun, 25 December 2016 1482624000 Sun, 27 March 2016 1459092300 Sun, 27 March 2016 1459036800 Sat, 27 February 2016 1456609140 Sat, 27 February 2016 1456531200 Sat, 19 December 2009
1261225260 Sat, 19 December 2009 1261180800 Fri, 20 January 2006 1137755700 Fri, 20 January 2006 1137715200
Here is the synopsis. Enjoy!
Week 2
Sunday, December 13
This morning we started out at Stanmore Bay where we walked the length of the beach as we do each time we come here. It is a lovely stretch of beach with Pohutakawa trees reaching out over the sand from the dunes. From there we drove to Army Bay for a picnic lunch in the shade of one of those lovely trees. The seagulls are so cheeky that they come right up to people to beg for food. Needless to say we complied with crackers they seemed to really enjoy! From Army Bay we drove a little bit farther to the bach at Shakespeare Regional Park. There we read our books, had a snooze, and watched people digging for pippies which are little bivalves they eat like steamed clams.
Wednesday, December 16
Monday was a quiet day of laundry and reading and time with Jim and Helen. Tuesday we packed the car and headed for Tauranga. Along the way we called into every antique and second-hand shop along the way. We bought a paring knife and a travel mug to add to or picnicking supplies. Not exciting, but cheap! We stopped for a picnic in Waihi, drove out to Waihi Bach and then arrived in Tauranga around 5PM. A trip that takes about three hours without stops took us almost seven. The only frustration of the drive was that I could not get my ipod to work with the FM transmitter I brought along. In Tauranga we were greeted with a warm "Welcome home" from our dear friend Audrey Bower. At 81 she is as sharp as ever. We talked late into the evening after dinner and lighting our Chanukiah. Today is catching up on email and a bit of shopping. Audrey has a few things planned for us and on Friday we will go to Ohope to visit with Cathy and Max Black for the day.
We had a quiet day that included a bit of shopping and lovely walk along the Firth Walkway at Tauranga Harbor. The school kids were out having field days in anticipation of their upcoming summer break, and a few were paddling around in the fountain that expressly forbade such behavior. A lambchop dinner and reading finished the day nicely.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
We have a few social engagements in the next few days; so this morning I made a couple of batches of fudge to take along as gifts. It is always the right thing to bring. Audrey's neighbor next door has internet access and has graciously offered me the use of his ethernet connection. This morning, while catching up on email, I had a chat with Robyn and Noah on skype. What a marvelous invention.
In the late morning we set out for McLaren Falls Park south of here. It is a beautiful park with a narrow winding road throughout. There are picnic and camping areas, a lake, and a beautiful walk through the bush to view the big waterfall. Audrey’s husband Noel who passed away a number of years ago was a botanist and was instrumental in the replanting of trees in this park as well as in other areas around Tauranga. She proudly named all the trees as we passed them. We had a picnic near the lake and then headed for home.
Our dinner tonight with Audrey's friends, Jeff and Molly at their home at the back of beyond in Whakamarama was delightful. They have a fabulous garden filled with native and imported flowers and trees and an old cast iron tub with a gas ring underneath for soaking under the stars. Unfortunately I left my camera the Audrey's house. At any rate we enjoyed the gardens and the company.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
We had a day trip to Ohope Beach yesterday to see Cathy and Max in their new flat at the beach. It is lovely and comfortable and right across the street from the beach. After lunch, Cathy and Audrey stayed in to chat and Buzz, Max, and I went for a walk. We went to the end of the beach and then up a trail to the lookout. I got my cardio workout on the way up and my knees got their test on the way down. The view from the top, as you can see, was worth the effort. We had dinner at a local restaurant and then came back to Tauranga. We lit our last Chanukah candles when we got back. It has been a little strange to celebrate Chanukah without the kids, but our friends have enjoyed the candle lighting. Today is just reading, laundry catching up on email. Dinner out at another friend's home and tomorrow we head back to Auckland to see Valerie and Dan Cohen.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Yesterday was just one of running a few errands and reading books. In the evening we went to Audrey's friend Margie's home for dinner. Margie is outrageously uninhibited for a 70something lady, and we had a terrific evening. The company was interesting and the food delicious. This morning we are packing up. We'l take Audrey to the airport for her trip to Wellington to be with her son for Christmas, and we will be on our way to Auckland.
Week 2
Sunday, December 13
This morning we started out at Stanmore Bay where we walked the length of the beach as we do each time we come here. It is a lovely stretch of beach with Pohutakawa trees reaching out over the sand from the dunes. From there we drove to Army Bay for a picnic lunch in the shade of one of those lovely trees. The seagulls are so cheeky that they come right up to people to beg for food. Needless to say we complied with crackers they seemed to really enjoy! From Army Bay we drove a little bit farther to the bach at Shakespeare Regional Park. There we read our books, had a snooze, and watched people digging for pippies which are little bivalves they eat like steamed clams.
Wednesday, December 16
Monday was a quiet day of laundry and reading and time with Jim and Helen. Tuesday we packed the car and headed for Tauranga. Along the way we called into every antique and second-hand shop along the way. We bought a paring knife and a travel mug to add to or picnicking supplies. Not exciting, but cheap! We stopped for a picnic in Waihi, drove out to Waihi Bach and then arrived in Tauranga around 5PM. A trip that takes about three hours without stops took us almost seven. The only frustration of the drive was that I could not get my ipod to work with the FM transmitter I brought along. In Tauranga we were greeted with a warm "Welcome home" from our dear friend Audrey Bower. At 81 she is as sharp as ever. We talked late into the evening after dinner and lighting our Chanukiah. Today is catching up on email and a bit of shopping. Audrey has a few things planned for us and on Friday we will go to Ohope to visit with Cathy and Max Black for the day.
We had a quiet day that included a bit of shopping and lovely walk along the Firth Walkway at Tauranga Harbor. The school kids were out having field days in anticipation of their upcoming summer break, and a few were paddling around in the fountain that expressly forbade such behavior. A lambchop dinner and reading finished the day nicely.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
We have a few social engagements in the next few days; so this morning I made a couple of batches of fudge to take along as gifts. It is always the right thing to bring. Audrey's neighbor next door has internet access and has graciously offered me the use of his ethernet connection. This morning, while catching up on email, I had a chat with Robyn and Noah on skype. What a marvelous invention.
In the late morning we set out for McLaren Falls Park south of here. It is a beautiful park with a narrow winding road throughout. There are picnic and camping areas, a lake, and a beautiful walk through the bush to view the big waterfall. Audrey’s husband Noel who passed away a number of years ago was a botanist and was instrumental in the replanting of trees in this park as well as in other areas around Tauranga. She proudly named all the trees as we passed them. We had a picnic near the lake and then headed for home.
Our dinner tonight with Audrey's friends, Jeff and Molly at their home at the back of beyond in Whakamarama was delightful. They have a fabulous garden filled with native and imported flowers and trees and an old cast iron tub with a gas ring underneath for soaking under the stars. Unfortunately I left my camera the Audrey's house. At any rate we enjoyed the gardens and the company.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
We had a day trip to Ohope Beach yesterday to see Cathy and Max in their new flat at the beach. It is lovely and comfortable and right across the street from the beach. After lunch, Cathy and Audrey stayed in to chat and Buzz, Max, and I went for a walk. We went to the end of the beach and then up a trail to the lookout. I got my cardio workout on the way up and my knees got their test on the way down. The view from the top, as you can see, was worth the effort. We had dinner at a local restaurant and then came back to Tauranga. We lit our last Chanukah candles when we got back. It has been a little strange to celebrate Chanukah without the kids, but our friends have enjoyed the candle lighting. Today is just reading, laundry catching up on email. Dinner out at another friend's home and tomorrow we head back to Auckland to see Valerie and Dan Cohen.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Yesterday was just one of running a few errands and reading books. In the evening we went to Audrey's friend Margie's home for dinner. Margie is outrageously uninhibited for a 70something lady, and we had a terrific evening. The company was interesting and the food delicious. This morning we are packing up. We'l take Audrey to the airport for her trip to Wellington to be with her son for Christmas, and we will be on our way to Auckland.
- comments
zahava salomon HI DOWN THERE, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE HAVING LOTSOF FUN. I AM JEALOUS.LOVE YOU ZAHAVA
Darcy With the weather in the States as shown on our TV's, any thing here is "fun in the sun". We are looking foward to their visit to the capital later on
Judy and Stu Looks like you are continuing to have a great time. But where are the photos of you, Elaine -- or are you the chief "cook and bottle-washer" -- I mean photographer?! Thanks for sharing.
Aida I am so glad that you are having such a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing.
Linda May-Poskanzer Greetings from Sunny Scottsdale, AZ.Al is flying back to AZ from Roatan where he has been SCUBA diving with AZ friends all week. He is going up to see Jack for Christmas since I am working that day. Enjoying your updates. New Zealand is definitely a place I'd like to visit one of these days.....
Heather Brody This is such a great way to share ... and its always a treat to read your wonderful writing. Thanks for keeping us in the loop so we can live vicariously through you and Dad. All is well at home. Looking forward to your next blog entry. xoxo ~ H
Javier y Silvia, Spain I am so happy you are having so much fun. I wish we could join you.Javier y Silvia, from Madrid!
Susan Meuse Sounds like you're having a nice, relaxing time. The pictures are beautiful. I wish I was there -- too much snow here!!
Ruth Zax Mike sent your second week post to me and I was delighted to get an update of Travels with Buzz and Elaine. Very cold here at home, so soak up all that beautiful weather and scenery while you can. New Zealand and Australia are on my bucket list, and your renewing your old relationships there makes me want to put it at the top of my list. Enjoy, Happy Chanukah--belated.
Randy Shepherd Your trip sounds so wonderful. Keith and I leave tomorrow for our annul trek to Tucson, AZ to visit his family 22nd - 28th, so we'll have a cold New Years Eve. My parents are on their own adventure too. My brother needed two moving trucks, so they flew out to Vegas on the 17th to drive one back. As of last night they were in Springfield, MO. The house purchase fell through, so they will all be living together, until a rental or purchase can be made.