For our last few weeks we decided to stay around Auckland to get things sorted for the return journey. There is a lot to do with selling the car, sorting ALL the stuff Shona has brought home from her favourite shop! and closing phone etc accounts. As well as sorting things out for our return trip in January 2017.
Here are a few shots of activities and people we have got to know.
Sailing:
As well as our sailing with John Duder on the classic cutter Spray, Malcolm has been crewing in the Wednesday regattas on a 50 foot yacht called Equilibrium. A very different type of sailing to what we have done before, but very exciting. Here is a link to Equilibrium sailing back from Fiji.
Equilibrium sailing
Shona has been having an awesome time sailing with the redoubtable Wednesday crew on the Ted Ashby. Not only has she learnt to hoist Peaks and Throats, tail sheets and stow jib main mizzen and stay sails, she has also had great fun chatting to all the visitors from around the world who come on as passengers. The highlight has definitely been meeting the rest of the motley crew who are full of sea yarns and other tall tales. Such a lovely place to volunteer.
Bed and Breakfast for friends:
Since moving up to Auckland we have had lots of lovely visitors who are all amazed at the wonderful view of the city and the fact that we can jump in the sea at the end of the garden!
Graham and Diane have been regulars as they zoom around New Zealand both on and off the water.
as has Janet from Te Puke. She and Sue stayed on their way to Adelaide.
We had a great weekend visiting the Pacifica Festival then the Auckland Festival Sculpture Trail
This is a school entry made of recycled drink cans!
Swimming in the Harbour:
This summer it has been a joy to jump in the sea after a long hot day of working or volunteering! I don't think we will ever live nearer the sea!
Rugby:
We are still Waikato Chiefs supporters from the BOP area but we have been to a couple of Super 15 matches up here in Auckland watching the Auckland Blues. Here they were beating the Highlanders from Dunedin.
Culture:
And of course being in the NZ's largest city we have been to quite a few concerts and theatre gigs. Some better than others!
The Burns Night at the Devonport Esplanade Hotel was not a cultural success! Bagpipes in a small room is actually quite painful! and sometimes enthusiasm for the poetry can be a bit much for the audience! The haggis was good but pureed peas are not the tradition!
The 'pop up' Globe theatre was much more successful, we saw both12th Night and Romeo and Juliette.
For R&J we were 'Groundlings' which meant standing for 3 hours which was actually quite tough. The building was made of corrugated tin and scaffolding - but great fun.
This is the famous balcony scene! - all played for laughs!
Welsh Culture in the form of Tom Jones also came to Auckland. It was a great concert and his voice is still rich and certainly awesome for a 75 year old! Strangely enough this was his first concert on his world tour and his last will be in ............. Tatton Park in Knutsford in July!
Walking:
Shona has been enjoying walking with new Auckland friends - the Thursday walkers include Am our landlady - who is from Thailand, Margaret from Singapore and Janette who is a real kiwi! from Devonport. We walk so that Shona can pick up a coffee on the way! Lovely friends.
she has also been walking with Hilary (Simon's sister) who lives on the other side of Auckland, again with superb views of the harbour. These lovely shots of Rangitoto were taken on a walk which included Ladies Beach, a nudist beach where there were only men!!
What a beautiful place to live!
