February 14 to 16
Wellington and Paraparaumu
February 14
Wellington to Paraparaumu
Hot and sunny again. After a leisurely breakfast, I organised my belongings and stood at the bus stop in reasonable sunshine. A bus to me rapidly to the railway station, one of Wellington's grander buildings. I took lots of photos - difficult given the light and the scale of the place. I waited for my train and wrote my diary.
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It delivered me safely to Plimmerton, where Wayne collected me in the car and drove me up the hill. On the way back, we collected Harry, who had escaped a little earlier but who rushed up to the car and leapt aboard.
Valerie arrived and we had a splendid lunch on the deck, watching the birds and drinking fine wine. We caught another train in mid afternoon and arrived in Paraparaumu in time to host a family gathering in the evening.
February 15
Paraparaumu
Lots of cloud this morning but I'm sure it will burn off. We had a lazy start before venturing to the mall to do a little shopping. From there, we drove past the new motorway construction work to a few more shops and then home again.
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The main work of the day started when we set out along the beach in the direction of Raumati, nearly three kilometres away. It was warm but with enough breeze off the sea to make it pleasant enough.
When we reached Raumati we climbed the steps to the bar overlooking the beach for lunch and cold drinks. The food was OK but not brilliant. The cold drinks were much needed and excellent.
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We returned home the way we had come. The wind had risen slightly, making the walking hard work but we made it back without too much difficulty.
Lying on the beach were lots of what Valerie assured me were called bluebottles. Subsequent research reveals that they are jellyfish, which inhabit the beaches of the Antipodes and have a nasty sting. I’m glad I didn’t try to prod one! I collapsed in a chair, sent emails and wrote post cards.
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As the evening started to cool, we walked the short distance into the town, very quiet at this time of the evening, and ordered fish and chips. We took these home and ate them in the garden.
February 16
Paraparaumu to Wellington
A reasonable amount of rain fell overnight and continued until after breakfast. From then on, the cloud slowly lifted and the temperature rose. By mid afternoon, when I was waiting at the station, it was baking.
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We had a very leisurely morning, pottering round the house, then headed to the shops for some shopping and a coffee and for Valerie to pay a visit to the Council Offices. These aren't exciting but they do have a few interesting details.
We returned home to lunch in the garden. Very summery. I packed my bags and then, more by luck than judgment, sorted a problem with Valerie's computer. I just hope it remains OK until after I have left the country! She drove me up the road to the station and left me to my fate.
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Nothing untoward happened. The train arrived on time and rushed me into Wellington, from where a bus arrived and rushed me to Newtown. A quick and painless journey. Jane and Robert fed me another good vegetarian meal and more good wine.
I packed my bags again and generally organised myself for the next few days.