Our New Zealand Trip

Our first stop across the Tasman was windy Wellington, we arrived at midnight on the day that our cricketers were having a fierce fight with the gale force winds against the New Zealanders, (Oz won) many flights were cancelled, but fortunately by midnight the wind had paused allowing us to land. The following morning the sun shone, and we had a delightful walk around the harbour down to the Te Papa Museum, spent a great morning there, including perusing their Pompei Exhibition. We then walked and walked around the "flat" part of the city, checking out the different style of buildings, and a few retail outlets!!

We finished up our day at a delightful, loud, and popular Tex-Mex Cantina in Cuba Street, "The Flying Burrito Brothers" their Fajitas were fabulous.

The following morning the wind was back with gusto, we picked up our car and headed out of town to Napier in the Hawkes Bay. The scenery we drove through was delightful , even with the cloud cover. Napier prides itself on its "Art Deco" architecture - rebuilt after the deadly 1931 earthquake (NZ's worst natural disaster) in the popular styles of the time.

We spent the first evening walking along the waterfront, admiring the buildings, and thoroughly enjoying a pizza in an old Pub opposite the boardwalk on Marine Parade below.

Next - the Reunion - 21 of us!

but I will leave that till another day when I have sorted out the photos. Col and James had organised everything really well. Just great to see everyone again.

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In between "events" in our schedule we took time to do a couple of other things. After our great group vineyard tour Colleen, Dennis, Frank and I took off to the Te Mata Peak, the road to the 399 metre summit passes lonesome sheep trails, rickety fences and vertigo-inducing stone escarpments, and can resemble the Scottish highland atmosphere - but not for us, it was a beautiful clear day - just stunning at the top.

Overlooking Hawkes Bay

and the Craggy Range Vineyards

Back down to the Vineyard

After our few days of "reunion" festivities in Napier, we all travelled in different directions, Frank and I headed north and stopped in both Gisborne and Mount Manganui for a night each, before meeting up with Col and Den at their Bach (holiday cottage) at Whangamata, at the start of the Coromandel. I at first thought it was Whakatane, well at least they both start with a "Wha" The aim was to have a relaxing Easter break.

Mount Manganui

Catching up with Col and Den at their Bach

Over Easter we spent quite a bit of time walking around Whangamata, weather was great and the town was very active..

Leigh and Col relaxing

and the guys toasting something!

plus great sunsets

And more lovely morning walks!

What a lovely Easter break! at Whangamata

Mikie travels into the Simpson Desert

I have just received these photos from friends, Lisa and Daz who now live in Alice Springs. Last September their son, Mikie was born, and we got to spend time with this terrific little camper in December when they were back in Queensland. Anyway Lisa is a super photographer, and Daz now knows the area around the Alice very well. After the recent rains they headed out into the Simpson - firstly to Chambers Pillar (all 4WD) to check out what the rains had done.

Wonderful mulla mulla wildflowers

Chambers Pillar under a decorative sky

Daz and Mikie head to the Pillar -it's a lot bigger than it looks in this photo, that I know from our 2004 trip.

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Next they head out to Palm Valley in the Finke Gorge National Park, which is an east-west valley in the Krichauff Range, 123 klms southwest of the Alice. The area in and around Palm Valley is the only place in the world where Red Cabbage Palms survive!!!

Daz takes a break, with so much unusal green around him!

The Red Cabbage Palms

Permanent water allows this unique area and its flora to survive today, despite the surrounding desert.

Mikie takes time out for a break, and maybe a photo!

Below is this valley in the Krichauff Range

New little Kiwi!

We are back from New Zealand having had a great trip, more news and photos on our antics in the next couple of days.

However, while we were in the "Land of the Long White Cloud" a new little Kiwi Wroe was born - a little early, but all is very well, think he might be called Daniel Wroe. This is Frank's youngest son and his wife Sarah's third child. Below are some photos I took while we were there.

Daniel Wroe

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Ethan and Imogen with their new "petit" sibling!

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Step-Grandmama holds little Daniel!!

Grandpa and Ethan thrashing a ball around,

while I dodged their wild hits!

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Then he took a rest with Immy to watch "Iceman"

Off across the Tasman

Today we are flying from Brisbane to Wellington - New Zealand. Will spend a couple of nights there, want to go to a great Musuem they have. Won't be walking any of them there hills in Wellington though! Airport is practically in the Harbour below - nice! Wednesday we pick up a car and drive north to the Hawkes Bay area, specifically Napier, where a large group of us who shared a house or were friends back in Auckland in 1967 and 1968, are meeting up for a few days - should be super - 24 of us this time!!!

Hawkes Bay area has some wonderful coastline accompanied by some top vineyards, so loads of things to do.

Napier - where the reunion will take place!!!!

Coastline and vineyards of Hawkes Bay.

On 29th we will leave Napier and wander north slowly up to Whakatane at the beginning of the Coromandel Peninsula - plenty to see on the way. We will stay in Whakatane with Col and Den at their holiday house over Easter.

Do a bit of touring of the area

Then back to Col and Den's place at Mission Bay in Auckland for 3 nights.

Nice long walks along Mission Bay promenade

During the day we will go across to Ian and Sarah's place and spend time with the 2 grandkids, or maybe 3 by then. They are going to be pretty busy.

A beach tribute to a top young bloke.

This morning at Kurrawa Beach, thousands of Lifesavers and family and friends met to pay tribute to the young man who died during the Lifesaving Championships on Friday. It was an accident, he was hit in the head by a surf ski - but this volunteer organisation from all over Australia - are just so supportive and close. A lot of them start as little tots - Nippers , and many continue on till they are in their 70's (photos below show this). It is something rather special about Australia and its beaches - in my books!

Saxon Bird was a member of the Queenscliff Club in Sydney, red and blue are the club colours!.

Saxon's brother and best mate from the Queenscliff Club lay a wreath at Kurrawa in his memory. Below -The Flag carrier from the Queenscliff Club - he has probably been with them for 50 plus years!!.