New Zealand: November and December 2017
We began in Paeroa, necessary as this is where we store the campervan which is our home for the New Zealand summer. We also look forward to a great meal at Kumars, fabulous food created by the Indian family who present home-style cooking that is super yummy. Butter chicken and Kumar's Country chicken.
Walking it all off afterwards, here is the pretty church just around the corner and ....
... the chunk of greenstone parked on the high street, greatly revered by the Maori people.
Below, Te Aroha clock tower and the Pokéstop. Pokéstops are mostly art works or buildings of interest. Always something of note, not just for playing Pokémon Go!
We made a quick trip northwards to see our family on the North Shore (of Auckland) and spent a few days around Orewa to enjoy the lovely weather and easy walking.
Here we are again at Shakespear Park. This time, as well as tuis feeding on the flax, there are rosellas. These birds are very shy so good to see them up close for a change.
December
Met up with our friends Jan and Kev, who we travelled in France with this year. Their motorhome is identical to ours except that they have just had a respray, so they're showing us up. It's gleaming! Ours is the one on the left. This is Waitui Reserve
There were kingfishers on the breakwater, catching little fish to entertain us
We also passed through Katikati, a town that has a lot of lifesize murals, probably more than 20 and other artworks too.
The bronze 'Barry' has been suitably augmented for Christmas.
In a nearby town, dogs do not get left in cars, there is a cool facility just for them.
We had a good view of the super moon but my handheld pics were not very good except, maybe, this one.
There were certainly some very good waves the next day at
Papamoa Beach where we were entertained by the students from the Raglan Area School Surfing Academy.
Some of the very talented students ...
tomorrows professionals probably
Above; the same beach as before, great for a nice long walk.
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We chose to miss the centre of Taupo as the Ironman competition was on. Here's the sculpture depicting the elements.
Below; Hamilton Gardens must be among the very best in the world.
Below left, a glimpse of a new Concept Garden which is not open yet - the mind boggles! There is to be an augmented reality garden opening soon, one of 4 under development, I wonder if it is this one?
Below; an overnight near Raglan, we love these trees (Kunzea ericoides/kānuka)
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