Enjoying local sights in Auckland

A Beauty - needs a little TLC

We have been in Auckland 7 weeks now and the time has gone fast while we wait to head down south to pick up our next motorhome.

Allan & Nicky with Bill on the
Te Ara Tahuna Estuary Cycleway

Cyclone Cook thankfully wasn't as bad as expected here in Auckland and we ended up with some lovely weather over the Easter Break. W&K left us for two weeks home alone, while they went down to brother G's in Waihi Beach, but we managed to survive ok without too much hardship.

Under pressure for lunch -
and an Easter treat-
it was off to KFC in Kate's sportscar

We caught up with my other brother Allan & partner Nicky for a local bike ride in their area of Wainui/Orewa, the Te Ara Tahuna Estuary cycle/walk way that follows around the Orewa Estuary. This 7.6km trail has plenty of information boards about the areas past and the significance the area had on food gathering for the local Maori with the river and sea. Being Easter there were a lot of families out walking / biking, which was great to see.

Love the different leaf textures/varieties
in the gardens on our local walks

The weather was perfect for the ride, as was the much needed drink at the end of the trail in one of the local Cafe's in the area. We then headed back the last 15 minutes of our cycle ride to A&N's place they are renting in Wainui, while their own place is being built. Not an enviable task up this way with so much construction being carried out, it would appear costs are always on the increase- not great for home owners.

Port Albert jetty out to the M.V. Kewpie Too

Reading the local papers, I came across the advert for cruises on the Kaipara Harbour, which is an hour north of where we are staying. Sounded very interesting and as the weather was predicted to be looking good, we headed on up there on the Thursday after Easter.

View from the top deck of the vessel - bit cool

The cruise was in the largest harbour  in the Southern Hemisphere with one of New Zealand's largest inland waterways, where the early pioneers to New Zealand were promised a wonderful new start to life. But they were mostly disappointed with the remoteness of the area and lack of any infrastructure. Many at that time (1862) arrived at Port Albert (Albertlanders), but soon returned to Auckland rather than struggle in such hardship. It didn't take the steamers and sailing ships long to get set up and service the river ways and mills that took advantage of the abundance of huge trees in the area, including the magnificent Kauri's, almost depleting the whole area.

One of the many cemetery's in the area

Today there are the remains of these Kauri Mills and Maori Pa sites, and of course plenty of cemetery's, among a few holiday towns mostly owned by Aucklander's.
It was a 4 and 1/2 hour cruise on the 17m "M.V. Kewpie Too" with 15 other passengers, and well worth the $35 fare. The Captain did a very informative commentary of the area's past, and although New Zealand is very young compared to Europe, it was very interesting and certainly scenic.

Steve helping us blow up ballons
for Alex's party (What more could
a two year old want in life!)

We have been able to enjoy a 2 & 6 year old's (two great nieces of mine) birthday party's, which were more of family catch up than hard out partying. Enjoyable all the same. Enjoyed our catch up with friends Julie & Steve in Kohimarama, thanks Steve for the help with the balloons! Nice to see the new build, but will be better still when we can catch up at your batch in Rangiputa sometime soon hopefully.

Auckland City from the ferry as we headed into town

A well  earned lunch after our
 City Walking Tour
Wayne & Bill in disguise

Staying in West Harbour, we are only ten minute walk to the ferry that heads into Auckland. What a pleasant way to visit the city, taking you right into the centre. Our plan for the day was to do a 3 hour Walking Tour of the city, then catch Wayne for lunch at one of the many cafes/bars along the waterfront. We had expected it to be really busy with it still being school holidays and the World Masters

Lovely Pohutakawa trees in
Albert Park needing a little support

Games being on, thankfully it wasn't. We joined 12 others with our guide Julie and off we went. A very pleasant stroll around the back streets of the city listening to Julie detailing the city's past through to the present. Even though we lived here 30 years ago for ten years, we learnt a lot. It was a perfect day for our walk and then our lunch down on the waterfront. Auckland has a very picturesque waterfront these days thanks mainly to the America's Cup sailing races in 2000 which invigorated the city.
After catching up with nephew Luke at his apartment in the heart of the city, we then caught our ferry back home, avoiding any congestion on the roads/motorways. Best way to travel here in this large city, and not too expensive. It was a wonderful day out.

Tough day on Waihi Beach

Thoughtful pose by Bill on our walk over to Orokawa Bay
Waihi Beach

On the 1st May (May Day) Bill & I returned to Tauranga, along with brothers W&K, G&C, and A&N, to spread Mum's ashes. We had a lovely lunch with a glass of bubbles in her memory at a Club she enjoyed a meal or two with my brothers in the past. Bit sad my first time there, was without Mum. That evening we returned to G&C's at Waihi Beach and had a nice warm bonfire on the beach under a beautiful clear starry sky.

Wayne, Bill, Nicky, Claire & Graeme, Allan, Kate & I
Having a drink for Pat

This coming week, we fly to Dunedin to pick up our new home, not long now. Just to clarify, the picture at the top of this blog is not our new home - next blog will reveal all. Watch this space!!