Goodbye North Island
It's been a fun 4 weeks, but now I must leave you, as I've found someone even more stunning than you, i.e. South Island. Yes, I've now crossed the Cook strait (nice smooth crossing thankfully) am in Picton. Tomorrow I get some much needed exercise, by starting the Queen Charlotte Track, which will take me 4 days.
The last week or so has been very pleasant, and a nice change from dull motels.
From Whakane I headed south, down to Hawkes bay, when I stayed with Roy, 'my first cousin once removed' and Jan. Roy last saw me when I was a baby, I've grown up a bit since then (physically at any rate). Hawkes bay has some very nice vineyards - I was taken to a concert at one of them, which was rather good, dancing amongst the vines has a certain novelty. The main town in the area is Napier, which was destroyed by a terrible earthquake and subsequent fire 75 years ago, and subsequently rebuilt in Art Deco style. I went on a tour that explained all the features, it is an interesting coincidence that I've been to the 2 best Art Deco towns (Miami Beach and Napier) on this trip. Napier has some scenic hills too, with very expensive property on them - it's not just London that has a property bubble! Thanks Roy and Jan again.
Leaving behind family comforts for a couple of days, I headed down to Martinborough (another vineyard area) stopping off (in the rain) at the Mount Bruce bird sanctuary, for a spot of feathered education, the Kaka parrots being particularly entertaining, being inquisitive and intelligent creatures.
My final stop in the North Island was the capital Wellington, and attractive city, as it has endless hills and bays, and also a very windy city (you can see the clouds racing over you). Robin and Mary (Tim Nicole's parents, Tim is another of the Vantis Numerica Kiwis) were my kind hosts, and looked after me very well (the photo of an angelic looking young Tim over my bed was a bit disturbing though!) While in Wellington, I also caught up with Tom Rainbird (yet another one of these Numerica Kiwis, the HR man who helped recruit me in the first place, for which he was sent back home to New Zealand in disgrace). Wellington has a really good museum Te Papa a hideous 60s designed goverment building (British architect Basil Spence) and lots of nice open space. I could easily have stayed longer...but the lure of the South Island couldn't be held back any more!!!!
Mike
The last week or so has been very pleasant, and a nice change from dull motels.
From Whakane I headed south, down to Hawkes bay, when I stayed with Roy, 'my first cousin once removed' and Jan. Roy last saw me when I was a baby, I've grown up a bit since then (physically at any rate). Hawkes bay has some very nice vineyards - I was taken to a concert at one of them, which was rather good, dancing amongst the vines has a certain novelty. The main town in the area is Napier, which was destroyed by a terrible earthquake and subsequent fire 75 years ago, and subsequently rebuilt in Art Deco style. I went on a tour that explained all the features, it is an interesting coincidence that I've been to the 2 best Art Deco towns (Miami Beach and Napier) on this trip. Napier has some scenic hills too, with very expensive property on them - it's not just London that has a property bubble! Thanks Roy and Jan again.
Leaving behind family comforts for a couple of days, I headed down to Martinborough (another vineyard area) stopping off (in the rain) at the Mount Bruce bird sanctuary, for a spot of feathered education, the Kaka parrots being particularly entertaining, being inquisitive and intelligent creatures.
My final stop in the North Island was the capital Wellington, and attractive city, as it has endless hills and bays, and also a very windy city (you can see the clouds racing over you). Robin and Mary (Tim Nicole's parents, Tim is another of the Vantis Numerica Kiwis) were my kind hosts, and looked after me very well (the photo of an angelic looking young Tim over my bed was a bit disturbing though!) While in Wellington, I also caught up with Tom Rainbird (yet another one of these Numerica Kiwis, the HR man who helped recruit me in the first place, for which he was sent back home to New Zealand in disgrace). Wellington has a really good museum Te Papa a hideous 60s designed goverment building (British architect Basil Spence) and lots of nice open space. I could easily have stayed longer...but the lure of the South Island couldn't be held back any more!!!!
Mike
posted by Michael Conway at
5:37 am
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