Up to the Hinterland

This morning the sun was shining again - have had a couple of wet days this week, but today was lovely. We picked up Col and Den and drove up to Mount Tamborine in the hinterland just north west of the Gold Coast - wandered around rather slowly, Frank and Den were extremely patient with Col and I - and our meandering, we just really enjoyed the whole area.

Chosen place of relaxation post wandering!!!

And last night we decided to test one of the "special deals" at the Southport Yacht Club. The great thing about the Gold Coast is the amount of competition - so many places to eat at, and so many offering great deals.. Anyway picked up Col and Den to try this one out. "2 courses for $20, or 3 for $25", we opted for the 2 courses, and it was wonderful, Col and Frank chose the grilled Barramundi with fresh Asparagus, preceeded by an excellent calamari salad, and so on - everyone was happy, service was excellent, as was the activity on the Broadwater in front of the club.

The Marina Mirage all "lit up"

Great deal - Great Evening!

Mikie's first Akubra

I received these photos of young Mikie today trying on his Mum's Akubra in Alice Springs - what a character this young man is - "a little bloke ready for his next trip out with his folks , touring and photographing this big and colourful country".

A very pleasant Monday

Yesterday, another very nice day on the Coast, we went to Tedder Avenue, Main Beach, to meet up with Sue and John from Adelaide, a couple we met in 2000 on our cruise through the Kimberley, (Broome to Darwin). We have kept in contact and met up with them on a few other occasions. Anyway they were in Main Beach for the week so we joined them for a light lunch at one of the many cafes in Tedder Avenue - loads of catch up talk, then we decided to take on a walk. First stop was the Southport Yacht Club, very pleasant and casual. The Australian -American Club which we are members of, meet here once a month for drinks and a catch up.

Next was a stroll along to the MARINA MIRAGE - we had not been actually inside before, had no idea that there were such lovely fashion shops inside - kept wallets closed, but thoroughly enjoyed our very slow meander around. Next door to the Mirage is THE PALAZZO VERSACE - so whilst in the area we decided to go in and inspect at least the Foyer - pretty impressive! The pool area was stunning, but as we were not paying residents, entry was forbidden! We are looking forward to this weekend, Col and Den flew in from Auckland last Saturday, we picked them up at the Gold Coast Airport and took them to the apartment they had booked for this week, then on Saturday they join us for 3 days, will be celebrating their Anniversary on 25th, and ours on 24th. A couple of nice things planned.

In 1967!!!!!!

Well, 43 years ago, I moved from Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand, and somehow or other moved into a house in Mount Eden, 3 streets from the magic Rugby ground - Eden Park - with a group of girls I had never met!!. We clicked, all from totally different lives and families, but it worked! Our abode below as it was 43 years ago!!!.

Col I, Sandy and I (note our false eyelashes)

Then came the 2nd Col (Eastwood) on the left with the other Col (Innes) on the right - with good old George, a gentleman who, with his wife Bubbles lived down the street, and used to organise birthday parties for us, as we were all away from family - and they generally just kept an eye on our well being.

Then there was Chappy, one of the Aussie guys who rented a house in the next street. He met young Jen below, married her, and has been in New Zealand now for 43 years. Somehow or other Jen just fitted in with us really well.

The House as she looks today!! This year 21 of us made it to the REUNION in NAPIER, NZ. All grouped at the oldest vineyard in New Zealand - THE MISSION

Glorious building and grounds

Jen, Col E., moi and Col I. -the Camp Mother and organiser of this Reunion!

Sandy and her husband Tom - (why she has a knife near his chest, I would not question???) - these are the creative "embroiderers"(they are now designing for both The Hobbit and Mad Max 4)

Out for lunch after our Hawkes Bay Vineyard tour

First dinner at the Motel - tables and chairs removed from each room, flower decorations of course, and our chief chefs, Den, Frank and Don barbequed as well as they did when we got together 2 years ago. Just amazing how well the guys get along - none of them were with any of us 43 years ago, except Chappy and Jen.

Last dinner at the Motel - it was raining, so we asked the owners if we could move all our tables, chairs, flower decorations and food to under the Reception Portico, and we invited the owners to join us. - They immediately changed their sign to NO VACANCIES, they joined us and we had a lovely evening - again!!!!

Below - 2nd and 3rd on left - owners of the Motel - Ngaire and Jim!

Next Reunion - 2012, in either Queenstown on the South Island of NZ, or the Blue Mountains in Oz.

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.

*****

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