Jo, Bryan, Lee and I spent 4 glorious days at Jo's sister's bach in Tongaporutu! Tongaporutu is located on the west coast of the north island, just north of New Plymouth. Mary has a bach right on the Tongaporutu river, and talk about a little slice of heaven!! The weather was glorious, the river, which is tidal, flowed back and forth in front of us, we went for glorious walks, boat trips, and discovered that we LOVE kayaking!! Mary's dog, Kobi, was there as well, and he had as much fun as we did, except when he wasn't allowed to go with us, which wasn't often!
It was a wonderful time, and we can't thank Mary enough for inviting us all down! What fun!!
The Tongaporutu river - Mary's lawn runs right down to the river
Looking across the river
We took a walk to the mouth of the Tongaporutu river, and passed some lovely old bachs that had been there forever. One of them had a collection of various footwear on the wall - undoubtedly picked up on the beach, or found floating down the river!
This is the Cream Boat. I originally thought that the name of the boat had something to do with it's color, but soon learned that the Cream Boat, built in 1913, actually went up the Mokau river daily, picking up cream from the many dairy farms, and taking it back to the processing plant at the mouth of the Mokau river! We took a ride on this little boat, and sailed about 14kms up the Mokau to a lovely little picnic spot, We sat up top on the way up, and it was such a great trip!
Some of the scenery along the river. The Mokau is also tidal - we went up the river on a low tide and returned on the high tide.
Me, Jo and Lee, on the Cream boat
The Mokau banks are dotted with little fishing stands, where fisherman catch white bait - a very small dish that is supposedly delicious - they make white bait fritters!
This picture was taken at our picnic spot, and the fellow with the Mokaus t-shirt on is our captain.
Kayaking! Mary's bach has everything, from washer and dryer, dishwasher, microwave and even kayaks!! This was my first time on a kayak, and they are so easy to paddle! We went around the bend, and up another little river that joins up with the Tongaporutu. What fun!!
Mary getting ready to kayak, too, and Kobi, looking on. He did not think that Mary leaving was a good idea, and cried while we were gone!
Mary and I on the river
Bryan heading off for a paddle!
Bryan and Lee. Mary, Bryan and Lee headed off for a LONG paddle, and Jo and I kept Kobi company
This is a gorgeous black sand beach at the mouth of the Tongaporutu river.
The cliffs have been amazingly sculptured by the wind and sea
The Three Sisters - the third sister is on the right, just a bump, really. You can see that the tide is on it's way out
Bryan and Mary, along with Kobi, on the beach
Elephant rock!
Bryan at Elephant rock
The white cliffs
Mary and Bryan gathered mussels! Bryan loaded the pockets of his swim trunks, and Mary filled her shoes! Dinner!!
Lots of mussels exposed at low tide - Mary and Bryan picked their cousins from rocks that were still under water
Another beautiful beach shot!
Heading back to the bach - Kobi was co-pilot!
Lee and Bryan bar-b-qued lamb for dinner
And Mary steamed the freshly harvested mussels for an appetizer
While Kobi took a nap!
Mary and Kobi
Sisters Jo and Mary, with Kobi
Heading back to Hamilton - Lee, Bryan, Pat and Jo.
What a wonderful, relaxing time we had - thank you SO much, Mary!!
We got to be part of Bryan's family reunion! Bryan's sister, Morva came to visit from Gisborne, and her daughter and boyfriend arrived from Sydney, and her daughter came down from Auckland, and all met at Bryan and Peters on Tuesday.
Claire had been living in Sydney for awhile, and hadn't seen her family since July. She brought along a young man, Paul, with her - to meet the family! So, we decided that this must be serious!!
We had a great visit with all of them - Lee hadn't seen the girls for years, and I had never met them. It was great to be a part of the reunion - it was just like being at home and around all our kids and grand kids!
By the way, Paul got a "thumbs-up", from everyone!
Nina and Claire - Nina is 22 and Claire is 23
Nina, Claire and brave Paul
Nina and Claire
Lee, Zoe (Bryan's Mum)
Bryan and Nina
Paul, Morva (Bryan's sister), Claire and Nina
The Juliet balcony - Claire, Paul and Nina
Paul, Claire, Morva, Nina and Bryan
Us, Claire, Morva, Nina and Bryan
Morva and her girls
Paul and Claire
Claire and Nina
Zoe - proud grandma!!
Last year when we were visiting, Bryan, Peter, Dianne, Adrian, Lee and I had a Valentines Day picnic at the Italian garden, in Hamilton Gardens. We had such a great time that we decided to do it again this year, and everyone joined in!
The weather was gorgeous, and we got the same table on the Juliet balcony, under the grape arbor. Everyone brought food to share, and we had a great time together! What a wonderful way to celebrate Valentines Day - a day early!
The Italian garden from the Juliet balcony
Bryan and Peter, with the gardens behind them
Our friend Jo
The picnic setting
More garden
Chris, Jo, Geoff and Lee
Luanne and Richard
Peter, Luanne, Richard, Chris and Jo
Jo, Dianne and Adrian (well, his back, anyway)
Here's Adrian!
Peter and Bryan
Geoff, Chris and Jo
Geoff, Richard and Peter, taken from the garden below
The whole group of us! Happy Valentines Day!!
