We landed in Auckland airport 5am on Easter Saturday! Luckily Blake was there to pick us up – she was bright eyed and bushy tailed – even though she had been to a wedding the night before and didn’t have much time between wedding and airport for sleep – isn’t she wonderful! Meanwhile back at their unit Jonno was still sleeping off the previous night’s fun (he was a groomsman at the wedding) so Blake took us for a 3 hour walk along the coast to Devonport and back – great leg stretcher after a 13 hr flight.
That afternoon we attended a bbq for Lee & Brad (the newlyweds) where we met lots of Blake & Jonno’s friends.
That afternoon we attended a bbq for Lee & Brad (the newlyweds) where we met lots of Blake & Jonno’s friends.
Brad, Hilton, Jonno and Dani & Hilton
Saturday night Jonno took Hilton & Dani out sailing then they stayed for dinner and the night – we crashed early (jet lagged) and slept very soundly!
Sunday morning we gave out lots of Easter eggs (Blake gave us an apple each which was really nice ‘cos chocolate is off the menu!)
Jonno’s mum & dad, Ann & Bernie, came for lunch on Easter Sunday then we went for a drive up the coast and then back to Auckland to eat tea in a wonderful Mongolian restaurant.
Sunday morning we gave out lots of Easter eggs (Blake gave us an apple each which was really nice ‘cos chocolate is off the menu!)
Jonno’s mum & dad, Ann & Bernie, came for lunch on Easter Sunday then we went for a drive up the coast and then back to Auckland to eat tea in a wonderful Mongolian restaurant.
Easter Monday we all went fishing – caught lots of small fish and had to throw them all back! Only one Snapper (caught by Blake, fisherwoman extraordinaire!) was large enough to bring home and Jonno smoked it and also ate it.
During the week while Blake was working and Jonno was sleeping (he works nights) we kept ourselves busy doing lots of tourist stuff - caught a ferry into downtown and saw the Viaduct area where the NZ’s America’s Cup boats are moored and shopped in the Victoria markets.
During the week while Blake was working and Jonno was sleeping (he works nights) we kept ourselves busy doing lots of tourist stuff - caught a ferry into downtown and saw the Viaduct area where the NZ’s America’s Cup boats are moored and shopped in the Victoria markets.
We also caught a ferry over to Rangitoto Island and climbed to the top of the volcano (which last erupted 600 years ago). We walked through the lava fields of black stones and saw several lava caves – quite amazing. The view from the top was worth every uphill footstep it took to get there (and there were lots!). Rangitoto Island can be seen from most parts of Auckland so is a real landmark.
On Thursday Jonno took John out sailing in his newly acquired trailer sailer, the “Orange & Tango” – I stayed home and did the washing!
On the weekend Blake & Jonno drove us to a little coastal town called Athenree where we stayed the night in a cabin next to a hot springs pool. The pool was extremely warm but apparently the high mineral content is very therapeutic and we all felt so much more invigorated after our dip – which was good because on the following day we went on very long and beautiful walk with Ann & Bernie and Ann’s work mates through the Karangahake Gorge. We set out at 9.30am and returned about 3.30pm. We walked up the side of a mountain – awesome views over the river, amazing flora (lots of silver fern) and saw relics of the gold mining boom. We walked into many old mines and through a very long tunnel – where we needed a torch to see as we were in pitch black. Bernie and Anne were very informative and their knowledge of the area, the history, the flora etc was very enlightening. Everyone gathered for a well deserved drink and sausage sizzle at the end of the walk. The Karangahake Gorge is quite magnificent and definitely well worth the uphill climbing…..
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