February 13

Wellington

Slept well again. Hooray. Lots more cloud today but warm and still. The cicadas were making lots of noise, something that makes a huge difference between the UK and New Zealand.

Last time I visited Newtown Market it was damp and uninviting. Today, it was hot and sunny. The place was packed, with dozens of stalls, mainly selling fruit and veg. I wandered around taking photos while Jane did the week's shopping. Prices were keen. Not like the farmers' markets in South Bucks.

Lots of people	Lots of stuff

We took the produce home and I then caught a bus into Courtenay Place. The sun was increasingly hot and I sought instant refuge in one of the city's specialist craft beer pubs. Most of the beer is fizzy, inevitable in New Zealand, but full of flavour. Given that it was a Saturday lunchtime, the pub was almost empty. Quite a surprise. The bacon sandwich, in pita, was disappointing.

I had spotted a sign at a bus stop announcing a street parade in Island Bay so I changed plans and took a bus out of town towards the coast.

Island Bay used to be a fishing village and is a laid back, pretty place. Only a few miles but several worlds away from the city centre.

	The musicians prepared
The Mayor joined in	The march began

I watched the performers warm up and then march up The Parade, lead by the Wellington Pipe Band and the Mayor. Lots of children's groups, another band and even a dog in a pram. It was different to the Hong Kong parade but, in bright sunshine, rather good fun.

Jane arrived on a bus and we set off to walk along the waterfront to Lyall Bay, between three and four miles away.

I stopped at intervals to photograph the beaches, the water and even the copy of an Easter Island statue, presented by the Chilean Government to commemorate the visit of the President.

	Easter Island in New Zealand
The South coast	The ferry passed by

We eventually reached Lyall Bay and then decided to walk the rest of the way home, another couple of miles, calling in at the supermarket en route.

I made it and collapsed in a chair until it was time to go out to eat. The local Mexican is just over five minutes away and, when we arrived, it was busy and very noisy.

The food was good and included some lethal home made chilli sauce. Only to be eaten in very small quantities. The waiter was great and the guy at the till would have made a superb Hollywood brigand. No one would have complained about the food to him - not that there was any need to.   Right: Interesting Mexican dinner