February 23

Waiheke

After a late start, following a poor night's sleep. I breakfasted in the motel while trying to follow Shrewsbury v Manchester Utd on the WWW. Outside there was a fair amount of cloud but it would probably burn off.

I waited at the bus stop for the wine tour van to arrive, which it did and we drove down to the ferry to collect the other seven members of the party.

	... then waited at the harbour ...
I waited at the bus stop ...	... for the ferry to arrive

I wandered around, taking photos until the ferry arrived. Wayne, the driver, pointed out the metre wide rays floating lazily around the wharf. On a sunny and still morning it was very beautiful.

We started with a brief history of the island while sitting in the van on top of a cliff. I can’t, of course, remember much of the saga but it was interesting at the time. We then headed for Miro, one of the quirkiest vineyards I have ever visited. The restaurant, Casito Miro, is famous - Iberico hams hanging from the ceiling and the tasting area is a Gaudi copy. The wine was excellent, as were the nibbles which accompanied it. Obsidian, just down the hill from Miro, has a wall full of awards and its wines are affordable. They are pioneers with Montepulciano and Temperanillo, still unusual grapes in New Zealand. Te Motu, one of the best known vineyards on the island, offered amazingly aged Bordeaux blends, as well as a dry Riesling made in conjunction with Jane Hunter.   Right: We sat in the bus at the top of a cliff
	Anyone for ham?
Casita Miro Estate	A touch of Gaudi

We learned from Wayne about the trials and tribulations of complying with Auckland rules when living on a rural island. Cockerels are banned in the city because of the noise. Banning them on the Island makes no sense. however. The locals maintain a flock of them running wild and then take one home for a few days when their chickens require one.

The others, all here for the day, opted to lunch at the Casita Miro. I opted to return to Oneroa for something much smaller so that I could go for a walk afterwards.

I had spotted Cove yesterday and Wayne said that the beer was local and the food OK. The problem with the beer was that it was mainly 7%, far too strong for lunchtimes. Only the Pilsner was 5% and wasn't exciting. The Kofte was good and not too large.
Cove - the building was ...	... better than the beer

With the sun high in the sky and the temperature rising, I set off on a walk to Fisherman's Rock, as far as the eye could see along the beach. With the tide being in, I had to take the road for half a mile and then a cliff path as far as Little Oneroa. The views were amazing and the sun was hot.

Views from Little Oneroa	The start of a cliff top walk

The path dropped down to the beach, quite busy, with swimmers and sunbathers, before rising steeply up the cliffs on the other side.

It continued to go up and down both slopes and steps until I reached the end. I didn't actually reach the rock as that would have meant scrambling along the beach, a hazardous exercise. I sat by the foot of the steps for a while to relax and then climbed back to the top of the hill again. There were a few others around but it was very quiet.

	I sat on the rocks near Fisherman's Point
Lots of steps with a view	I ate an ice cream at Little Oneroa Beach

Rather than returning along the cliffs, I took the road, through lots of roadworks, until I reached Little Oneroa. There, I stopped at the Village Store for a much needed ice cream.

I continued along the road until I passed my starting point and walked back through the village to the studio. There, I collapsed on my bed for an hour. I was tired and very hot.

Once rested I knocked on the door of the main house and had a long chat with Tania and Robert. They know England well. He was born there, to New Zealand parents, and they both knew where Bourne End was. A lovely couple who asked about my photography, obviously convinced that I knew what I was doing. They even asked to see my holiday diary. They must be mad! Yesterday there had been a reasonable breeze in the evening, to make trousers a good idea. This evening it was still, so shorts were essential.

Vino Vino had reserved the best table for me on the edge of the deck, with uninterrupted views of the Coromandel. Oysters were off. Quantities were too low as they were spawning. I opted for scallops and steak. Both were perfectly OK but not inspiring. Chardonnay and Viognier from Passage Rock accompanied the food. The former was good. I've had it here before. The latter lacked varietal characteristics.

Average restaurant. Wonderful view

I walked home on a windless evening, taking a few photos as I went. It was still very hot so sleeping might be a problem.