Au Revoir - all of us are leaving the Bay of Plenty

Cal had a couple of weeks here on his own - he went on another wee road trip out to the remote East Cape, where he went Cray pot fishing as well as walking and beachcombing.

Then farewell to Middle Earth for Rhian and 2 weeks later to Cal - no easier than last time :-(

And now we are off too - we are being relocated to Auckland. So our last weekend with Cal was spent madly searching for an apartment to live in up there!

We have found a lovely place but as the rents are eye-watering, it is a 1 bedroom, but at least it is furnished and has parking for both cars!!

We will be in Stanley Point Rd in Devonport, a wonderful location with a view across the sea back to the city.   We will be on the beach just below the X
                                                                                                                   X

We are VERY sad to be leaving all our lovely new friends and not to have another summer on Papamoa beach, but I'm sure Auckland will be interesting and Cal named Devonport 'Knutsford by the Sea'!! so we should be happy there.

Wonderful weekends of Rugby, mee goreng, snow, ice and volcanic mud

Zainon and her friends and nephew came to visit us and saw the sights of Tauranga, including a lovely walk up the Mount, where they enjoyed the beautiful views and took LOTS of photos!!

In the evening we introduced them to the subtleties of All Black Rugby - it was the return Bledesloe cup match here in NZ where the AB's thrashed the Aussies! A brilliant match and I think we now have 4 new Kiwi Rugby fans!

 However we did trade our rugby knowledge for a lesson in cooking whitebait fritters, mee goring and black pepper prawns, courtesy of our three excellent Singaporean chefs!

The following weekend was spectacular too. On Thursday Rhian, Callum and Shona headed down to Whakapapa ski fields to ski/snowboard on Mt Ruapehu an active volcano. The weather this time was stunning, unlike the last time Rhian skied in this area (never been so wet in my life!)

 See the 'other' volcano Taranaki in the distance?

 Best run - Gollum!

WONDERFUL DAY

Next day was just as spectacular but we couldn't see a thing! Malcolm joined us and we walked the Tongoriro Crossing in the snow and ice, using ice axes and crampons. Shona loved the crampons - she felt so safe and steady on the ice.

As we got into the first crater the cloud was still down so on with the crampons and into the mist.

 

Time to learn how to use an ice axe! - great fun

 

As we got to the highest point of the crossing the clouds parted a few times. Another couple of walkers tried to climb without the crampons and just couldn't manage, showing how wonderful they are.

Lunch at the top (Rhian and Cal were a bit suspicious of the beetroot humus and tomato sandwiches!!)

Then we headed back down for the ultimate treat.

Afternoon Tea at the Chateau

WOW

On the Sunday Rhian and Shona sampled the delights of a Rotorua sulphur mud and mineral water spa. Starting with a delicious comforting mud wrap, followed by the weirdest massage ever! - hot mineral water hosing down on you all during the massage!, then a relaxing mud facial and foot or head massage. We came out floating on air!

 

What a weekend - best ever!