New Zealand March/April 2012 - North Island

Friday morning in Patumahoe we had a sad start to the day as we heard that Jackie's Aunty Brenda had passed away. While this was very sad news it wasn't altogether unexpected and it was good that Jackie was in the country to say farewell to her Aunty.

Saturday we went to see our good friends Bec and Calum at their lovely home in Stanmore Bay. A great bacon and egg pie, some yum beer and big walk along the beach.

Our walk along the beach at Stanmore Bay, weather wasn't the  best but was great to be walking along a rugged NZ beach

Sunday I took part in the Anderson Family golf day. After a very wet start to the day it turned out to be a hot and sunny day. The format was ambrose, I was a team captain, I think Phil had built me up a bit. My team (Josh and Kieran) managed to do quite well with a creditable second place, absolutely no thanks to me, my golf was atrocious, and while I don't like blaming the equipment I did have a monster drive on the last hole with someone else's driver. After golf was an Anderson family lunch, with ladies bringing a plate. I'm getting used to these gatherings.

On Monday we ran a few errands and took a drive out to Beachlands, a suburb/town I would like to live in one day. We had a yum bakery lunch by the beach. The sun was out, it was hard not to fall in love with this place.

Beachlands in the sun, we drove around looking at all the houses there picking out the ones we liked. 

Tuesday I flew down to Gisborne in the morning with Theo, Jackie stayed back for Aunty Brenda's funeral. It was a tough decision to make for me to go ahead with Theo but given the gorge into Gisborne was blocked there was limited availability for us to change flights and all be on the same flight. So off I went with Theo to the airport, Jackie and I were both more than a little nervous. As I got on the plane I walked to the back with Theo, I could see the fear and confusion in the other passengers eyes - "Is this tiny baby going to scream all the way!?", "And where on earth is his mother!?". Well no one needed to worry. Theo sat quietly for take off. During the flight he gave everyone the glad eye and he decided to doze off for landing. What a relief! We did still have to get through the day feeding with a bottle but Grandma had that covered and Theo was a little gem.

Out for a walk with Grandma and Granddad, beautiful weather so time for a snooze

We were all pleased though when Jackie turned up later that day.

A glass of wine as the sun goes down in Gisborne

We had some great weather in Gisborne. We had a lovely lunch at the Marina restaurant where mum had her 60th birthday party. We did some errands, Jackie did some shopping, we went for walks around the vineyard and around Gisborne and caught up with a good friend who lives in Gisborne. All in all it was a great relaxing few days, Theo loved the attention and loved his play pen that was set up for him with copious toys.

Theo's play pen was great, he loved hanging out in here

From Gisborne we drove down to Havelock North for the weekend where we met up with my Aunty Heather and went to a wedding.

Time to pack up again, Theo was used to it by now.

Havelock North is a lovely town. We went out for a nice meal on the Friday  night. On Saturday we looked around town, mum bought shoes. On Saturday afternoon Jackie and I went to the wedding, leaving Theo with mum, Heather and dad, who when dropping us off at the wedding let it slip that they were planning on heading out to do some wine tasting that afternoon with Theo - not what we expected of responsible baby sitters!! We did manage to relax and enjoy ourselves at the wedding, which was at Craggy Range winery and was a spectacular event, definitely one of the best weddings we've been too with so much thought going into the whole day.

Jackie looking gorgeous at Craggy Range,  with a refreshing Epic Pale Ale , I think this was my beer that Jackie had confiscated. 

We were relieved to find Theo still alive when we got back to the motel, he was hungry but other than it seems he was well looked after. Sunday morning we went to a great cafe called At E's, if you're ever in Havelock North it's definitely worth hunting out.

At E's Cafe, great spot in Havelock North

After brunch and a walk along the parade in Napier it was to the airport for our last internal flight, back up to Auckland.

Monday we did some jobs, went and saw some people and headed into town for dinner at a friend's house. Tuesday was our last day, lots of packing and dinner with the family.

Hanging out with the cousins the night before flying out

Wow, loads of territory covered and lots done. Sorry there isn't much in the way of interesting stories or detail it's been busy here so it's taken a while to get this written and with me having a memory like a sieve I might have missed some out!

Anyway, stay tuned for part 3 in the trilogy coming soon.

New Zealand March/April 2012 - South Island

We arrived back in London yesterday after a great but exhausting holiday in NZ with a tactical and enjoyable stop over in Abu Dhabi on the way home.

It's been over 3 weeks (longer for Jackie) so I'm going to split the blogs in to South Island (the first bit) and North Island (the second bit) and Abu Dhabi (the last bit) - a trilogy, a bit like Lord of the Rings - (long and a bit pointless but great entertainment nonetheless) 

Without further adieu here goes...

I arrived in to Christchurch as fresh as can be expected after 30 hours of flying and airports. My last couple of legs of the flight I had four seats to my self so was able to sleep. I picked up Jackie from the airport later that day. After settling in our motel we went down to the mall to pick up some food and kiwi treats. Next morning before heading off I went for a jog. We didn't see too much earthquake damage.

Packing up for road trip to Akaroa

Drive to Akaroa, had to ask at the info centre in Akaroa where Marsh and Fee's wedding was, being NZ they knew of course. The venue was amazing, the accommodation very good. I got there in time for a pie and the rehearsal. BBQ on the Friday night was a great opportunity to catch up with many friends.

Our view of the action at Akaroa

Sat morning, Marsh and Fee's big day. I started with a run which was a bit stupid because we were up a very steep hill which was hard enough to run down. I ran to the lighthouse and back seeing more of Akaroa town along the way. It was an amazing morning for a run in Akaroa, such a picturesque place. I struggled up the hill, and we managed to drive into town for some brunch and a coffee - the food was ok, coffee alright, service was very friendly but it took ages! I was getting nervous about not getting back to the venue in time to perform my best man duties.

I did get back in time, it was a great day, pretty much everything went off without a hitch and the weather was spectacular. Theo behaved reasonably well for Jackie and she had some help from our friends who were there.

The next day, after a final catch up with many friends we hit the road to drive to Dunedin. It was a great road trip, Theo was reasonably good. By the time we got to Dunedin the weather had turned quite bad and it was pouring down. It was great to see Jill and family, they were all very excited to meet Theo.

Aunty Jill and cousin Alex getting to know Theo

Having a snooze with cousin Millie

Looking happy and smart with the rellies 

Monday the kids had the day off school and we met with Rua for lunch at Customhouse restaurant by the wharf.

Tuesday Jill, Jackie, Theo and myself walked down to St Kilda for lunch at Starfish Cafe which was great, photos below. Highlights included Emerson's Pale Ale, Cheese Roll, Flat White, Kumara Cakes, the sun, chilling out with good company. I managed to get a bit too much sun while enjoying my time here.

Emerson's Pale Ale and family

Ginger Crunch

Cheese Roll. My first experience, it was good, we probably should have ordered one each because I got left with the smallest bit. 

Just chilling in the sun at Starfish cafe

Down the road from the cafe at St Kilda beach

Wednesday we went to the local bakery, picked up some lunch and drove out to Port Chalmers and Aromoana. The town of Aramoana is famous for the David Gray massacre of 1990 but the town is a very picturesque, rugged spot, shame it's got such a negative association for many. The weather was clear again although quite breezy. We found a great sheltered spot on a deserted beach to have our lunch. In Port Chalmers we found a great cafe for coffee and cake before heading back to Dunedin.

Beach at Aramoana, it was extremely windy but that doesn't really come across in the photo

Lunch spot on the road from Aramoana to Pt Chalmers

An idyllic spot, Jill even dipped her toe in the water

Bakery lunch on the beach, nice

This photo probaby gives the best idea of the fact that it was still pretty cold and windy

At a cafe in Pt Chalmers

Citrus slice and 'Tan' slice

Thursday was road trip back to Chch and flight to Auckland, which all went quite smoothly. Lunch (pie) in Timaru.


So that is the end of Part 1 in this trilogy. Stay tuned for part 2 (and 3) I'll try and get them posted asap so you don't have to be kept in suspense.