Darling Devonport

Walking around this pretty little 'village' I feel as if it comes straight from a Mapp and Lucia book!
I thought it would be fun to show you round some of the interesting places, splendid buildings and colourful gardens.

The houses here are all wooden villas, built mainly from the original Kauri trees which grew here. The main reason that Auckland became important after Captain Cooks visit was to collect Kauri trees which were used as tall straight masts for the naval vessels of the time.

 A typical street

 There are many beaches all round the thin peninsula. on the East side they are sand on the West it is mud and mangroves.

Devonport is on the end of a peninsula of land across from the CBD, it was originally called Flagstaff as this was where flag signals were put up to let Auckland know that a ship was coming into the harbour.

The area has 2 extinct volcano hills - Mt Victoria & North Head, Auckland itself is built on 50 volcanoes - the most recent addition is Rangitoto Island just off Devonport!

 This is North Head and Chelsea beach from the Officers Mess at Narrow Neck Beach

The main street is down a hill from the quirky cinema/theatre to the ferry terminal opposite the Esplanade Hotel where we have watched several very early World Cup Rugby matches in the packed bar over coffee.

 This is looking up the hill from the ferry terminal behind me towards the Cinema at the top.

 There are many bars, coffee shops and restaurants - very like Knutsford!

Some buildings are definitely in need of some tlc! this is a boat house near the marina where we went sailing last weekend.

 

The flowers and gardens are gorgeous at the moment and there is lots of wild jasmine in the hedgerows, which adds a wonderful scent to our local walks. Shona has started walking once a week with our landlady Am who is from Thailand and her friend Margaret from Singapore, the latest one included coffee and donuts at Little and Friday - the 'best' coffee shop and bakery ever!

 lavender and fushias

 This is a bottle brush tree!

We are so lucky to have landed here!

Heritage Sailing Race

We have jointed the Devonport Sailing club and were offered the chance to sail with a member John Duder. Little did we know that he sails a beautiful heritage cutter Spray, built in 1936 and the race was for other classic boats.

Shona felt she had stepped straight into one of the lovely sepia calendars from Cowes! (you know the ones with the beautiful 'J' class yachts)

Anyway we joined John and his 10 year old grandson Kauwai for a lovely days sailing on Spray. The races were handicapped and 2 sections. Here are the other boats during the 2 races - all are built in NZ and many are pre 1900 built of beautiful Kauri wood.

 Famous Harbour Bridge (not so famous bottom!)

 There were 3 'A' Class boats sailing A2, A6 and A7!

 John and Kauwai

 This is Spirit of Waitangi - she had 3 foresails up at one point!

 Rounding the mark

 216 was the other Cutter of about our size but she was much lighter - John said he usually comes last (as Spray is very heavy!) but it makes everyone feel good about the race!

 The Chelsea Sugar works is behind A2 here

 Auckland skyline as we sailed

 Pure brass winches - but hard work - so Malcolm said!

Superb day.

A privilege to be out with such an amazing group of yachts.

First camping trip of the year -North Coromandal

The plan was to sail on Candidas again with Barry on the Legends race again from Tauranga to Gt Mercury Island - but forecast bad weather, rain and worst of all predicted winds from the north (on nose so a hard beat up in the rain!) meant the skipper called it off, so we packed up the tent and went camping instead!

We were sorry on to have the sail but Barry was right as we had heavy rain and strong winds and tides on the Friday and Saturday. We also had to contend with typical bank holiday traffic leaving Auckland!

We stayed in a really quirky lovely backpackers in Coromandal town called the Lion's Den - a must for anyone visiting - there is an outdoor shower (see the stars whilst having a lovely hot shower) amidst the scented lemon blossom and wisteria walkway. We also had a superb breakfast in Umu our favourite restaurant there - where we had amazing smoked mussels and awesome pizzas with Rhian and Callum last year.

 

We decided to do the walk from one side of the top of the peninsula to the other as there is no road that links both sides at the top. We arrived in the lowering clouds and spits of rain. Malcolm said ' we will only go for a short walk......, it will be fine'........ 2 hours later I have only been wetter when I skied with the kids the first time at Tongoriro. We were so wet the water was coming out of our rain filled boots rather than going in!

I can say though that Tilly hats are great in both rain and shine - Thanks Mum!

We camped back in Jacksons Bay and luckily the rain paused a wee bit whilst we got the tent up and had tea. Next morning it was dry and we sat recovering from a night in which I thought the high spring tide and waves were going to come right into the tent!

 

A bit shell shocked!!

 Trying to dry our sopping wet walking gear on the sign post!

Looking back to the bay

Sunday and Monday were lovely and we and the tent dried out! We went to the other side of the tip of the peninsula to Stoney Bay and walked the other half of the walk along the Coromandel Coastal Walkway we did in the rain - what a difference a day makes!

 

Lovely lunch of crusty rolls, black olives and Puhoi cheese made all runny in the warmth - yum
Then back to a lovely campsite again right next to the sea!

 A happy Malcolm - reading the weekly Telegraph with a sea-cooled beer after a lovely walk!

View from the tent in the morning!

On Monday we went to a quirky pottery/narrow gauge railway place - the line took potter Barry Bricknell 30 years to complete by hand and is now run by enthusiasts. The ride takes an hour to the 'Eyefull' Tower and back!

Then back to Coromandel town for a lunch of smoked mussels on the beach before heading home (for a good nights sleep!!)