March 24 - 29
Lake Tekapo to Paraparaumu and Auckland
March 24
Lake Tekapo to Paraparaumu
Rain overnight and floods in various places to the North and the West. My cough and blocked head ensured that I didn't have much sleep. Not a good way to start the journey.
I left early and drove slowly through the gloom along wet roads. Luckily, there was little other traffic so I was able to go at a suitable speed.
I reached Geraldine at 9 am, where it was dull and murky but not raining too heavily. The chemist sold me some nasal spray to clear my sinuses, an essential if I am to survive this afternoon's flight. The café I used to frequent here seems to have vanished so I entered another one and ordered breakfast and a lethal coffee. The breakfast was good and unhealthy and the blues playing on the music system was excellent. It didn't, however, stop raining.
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I fought my way North along the main highway with the rain as company. It had eased by the time I reached Ashburton and, for the last few kilometres into Christchurch, it dried up and some sun appeared. I opened the car window thinking that this would cool the car. All that it did was to let in a blast of hot air. I reverted to the air conditioning.
I returned the car with a minimum of fuss and was soon delivered to the airport in the shuttle, about an hour earlier than I had planned. My attempt to catch an earlier flight was thwarted by the fact that I had a cheapskate's ticket which was non-transferrable. I ate a sandwich, played on the free wi fi and waited.
We took off on time and all went well for the first half hour. Then the driver told us that we would have to circle for 20 minutes as the weather at Wellington was too bad for us to land. After 20 minutes, we commenced our descent and the weather didn't seem too bad at all.The Airport Bus was excellent, as ever, and I reached the station about 15 minutes before the train was due to depart. I had intended to buy a ticket at the office but the queue was longer than I had ever seen it. I boarded the train, which filled up steadily until it was standing room only by departure time.At Paraparaumu a bus was waiting and I was soon safely installed at Valerie's. Terry, who was staying prior to an early morning flight from Kapiti Airport the following morning, took us to the local club for a cheap and reasonable dinner. It remained dull but warm.
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March 25
Paraparaumu
At 06.30, I escorted Terry to the airport. It was warm but breezy. I returned, we had a lazy morning and the sun began to shine brightly. I did my washing which was destined for a day drying on the line.A quick trip in the car revealed that everything was closed on Good Friday, so we returned home, washed the car and mowed the lawns. The sun was bright and, in this sheltered location, it was warm. |
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After lunch and a long snooze, we set off along the beach.
The sun was lovely but so was the wind. It whistled the sand along at a great rate. We ploughed manfully into it for about two and a half kilometres, joining a fair number of people and dogs out enjoying themselves.
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The return journey was easier and the people faded away. For a sunny afternoon on a public holiday, it was remarkably quiet.
In the evening, we took caught a bus up to Brian and Maria's, had some excellent roast lamb and returned home by taxi after a few glasses of wine.
March 26
Paraparaumu
Our first stop was the market on a pleasantly warm morning with no wind and lots of blue sky. I had a sausage in a bun while Valerie did her vegetable shopping.
The market was doing a roaring trade with people of all shapes and sizes and lots of dogs. As with the other markets in the area, there is a huge quantity of locally grown produce, including lots of South East Asian vegetables, herbs and spices. This is a good area in which to be a foodie.
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Valerie rushed off to man the Art Society gallery for the morning, leaving me to do a few domestic chores, organise my photos and look after a sleeping cat. She is on a strict diet as a result of being over fed by a neighbour, so has even less energy than usual.
At mid day I walked into the village, changed the booking at the Indian restaurant and looked for a café in which to have a coffee. My first two choices were both full so I ended up sitting outside a café on the sea front, which I have often used but which has variable service. This time, both coffee and service were good.On the next table was a large, hairy person who was very worried about everything and whimpered whenever he saw another dog. He eventually departed with his family. |
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The weather was glorious as I walked to the beach. There was a large group playing with a ball near to the main street. Other than that, there were just a few people and a few dogs in evidence. I played with a fluffy black dog which rushed up to me but then rushed off for a paddle. At that stage, it became wet rather than cuddly. It was the sort of weather which made life on the beach seem wonderful.
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Valerie arrived home shortly before I did and we departed on a shopping trip. The original plan was to head to Porirua, 30 kilometres nearer to Wellington. A quick look at the traffic on State Highway 1 put paid to that and we remained in Paraparaumu. It was a successful trip, however. I bought some very good wine and even had a free tasting of beer from the local brewery at the supermarket. Valerie met several friends, so a good time was had by all.
By mid afternoon, the temperature had risen considerably and naps seemed a good idea.
In the evening, we walked to the local Indian restaurant, met Brian and Maria for a reasonable meal and came home again.
March 27
Paraparaumu
A very quiet morning. Slightly cloudy outside and with hints of rain. Valerie went off to have her hair done and I stayed at home to accompany the sleeping cat. At lunchtime, Valerie returned and we drove up the road, met Brian and Maria, and made our way to the Nikau Pathway, a couple of kilometres away.
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This is a thick area of bush which climbs steeply upwards by both steps and slopes to a height of about 120 metres. It was donated by a former mayor of the area, the man who pushed the idea of Kapiti becoming a borough in its own right.
The Nikau palms create huge quantities of debris which lines the walkway. We fought our way upwards - Brian ran most of it - and we made it to the top. The views across the town, over the water towards the island, are very good. I certainly felt the effort of the climb. I'm well trained for walking on the flat but could benefit from some hill walking.
The return journey was also tiring so I reached the bottom a little the worse for wear. When I get home I must have a few trips up Winter Hill.
Later on, we drove over to Avalon for dinner with Sue and Steve. Lots of food and even greater lots of wine. We discussed their trip to stay with me in August and made all sorts of tentative plans. So much to do in so little time.
March 28
Papaparaumu
A late morning with a feeling of too much wine the night before. We eventually left and drove down almost empty roads towards the motorway. The view as it curves around the harbour would be excellent were it not for the overhead cables on the railway. These, and the trolley bus cables, make Wellington a bit of a nightmare for a photographer.Right: Nice view. Same about the cables |
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We stopped in Porirua for a successful shopping expedition, a game which hundreds of others were playing. Back at Paraparaumu we had ice creams, spent the afternoon pottering in the sunshine and entertaining a couple of friends for tea.
I managed to check in to my Hong Kong to Singapore flight on-line and now have a boarding pass on my phone. Just hope I can make it work when I need to board.
That was the excitement for the day. Dinner was at home, we watched TV and had a relaxing evening.
March 29
Paraparaumu to Auckland
Cloudy to start with but the forecast drizzle didn't materialise. After suitable consideration, we set off along the beach to Raumati. The clouds over the island were unusually menacing but there were plenty of blue patches in the sky.
We paid attention to the birds and the dogs, watched the waves and chatted to a few people we passed. After two and a half kilometres we stopped at the beach café for a coffee. There is no doubt that I miss the New Zealand seaside. The Thames is very pretty but it doesn't have waves and sand.
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We retraced our steps in ever improving weather. By the time we had returned to Valerie's it was glorious, not for the first time on this trip.
I completed my packing and Valerie delivered me safely to the station. The train arrived after five minutes and I hauled my bags aboard.
I was over half way into Wellington when Valerie managed to ring me. Her previous calls must have arrived when I was in the series of tunnels between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay. She told me that I had left behind the small bag in which I keep my plugs, chargers & cables. She would catch the next train and meet me at Wellington Station. Luckily, her seniors card gave her a free ticket all the way there. I waited at the station, eating a sandwich and feeling stupid. After an hour, she arrived, handed over the small bag and caught the next train home. I carried on, continuing to feel stupid.
The bus took me to Jane & Robert's, where I re-organised all of my belongings, weighed some of them and decided that I would be inside the baggage limits. We had tea and then waited outside for the taxi to collect me. It arrived a few minutes early and I was at the airport in no time at all.
Check-in revealed that I was three kilograms inside the 20 kilogram limit so I can do a little shopping in Singapore. I had a coffee and waited. The terminal was shutting down for the night and it was reasonably quiet.
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There is nothing to be said about the flight, which arrived in Auckland on time. I took my usual walk between the terminals - it was a warm and still evening - and located the gleaming lights of the International Terminal. This was still reasonably lively, an improvement on previous years, and I found a cold drink and a bagel. I should survive until take off. Right: Last meal in New Zealand |
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