Day 13 (23 July) Devonport

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We got up and had a good breakfast and saw that it wasn't raining. So we decided to use our free ferry tickets to Devonport. We sauntered down to the ferry only to wave goodbye to the noon ferry. We only had to wait half an hour for the next one. We are getting very good at sitting around waiting. Now in my bag is always a crossword puzzle!

The ferry ride was just 12 minutes and they didn't waste time waiting for stragglers we set off promptly. The ferry ride was uneventful (thank goodness!).

We got off the ferry to a small town. I feel like I repeat myself at all places visited but the pace of life in New Zealand is slower and more laid back. The locals are incredibly friendly and when we say we come from Israel there is a look of wonder that crosses their faces. The most frequent comment we have heard is "umm there's a bit of a problem there at the moment, isn't there!" Two gents we spoke to on this trip admitted that they don't really know what is going on in the world and they were grateful to their forebears for leaving England many moons ago and coming to this beautiful part of the world. I wonder whether their great, great etc grandfathers came out of choice or at the invitation of HM's pleasure.

We walked along the main road to Mount Victoria which Don climbed whilst I sat on a bench doing my crossword puzzle. The views were quite stunning. The sun was shining and it was impressive looking back toward the cityscape of Auckland and the bay bridge etc. Don explored Fort Victoria at the top.

Walking back we found a vegan/veggie health food shop. I had black bean vegetable soup and Don had a Bliss Ball which was a concoction of nuts, dates and other fruits. He was happy but wouldn't say it was bliss, rather that it was unlikely to gain the broad appeal of chocolate orgasms.

Then we walked along the coast to the Navy Museum. This has free entry. It commemorates the work of the New Zealand navy from about the first World War to date. It also shows how the responsibilities for the navy have changed. It is ready for fighting action and was involved in the Gulf War, but is also a search and rescue force assisting the civilian population if in difficulty at sea. It has far ranging responsibility for patrolling the pacific islands.

Walking back the wind had picked up and although the sun was shining it was quite brisk. Our walk to the ferry passed two large second hand book shops. We took a quick peek and bought nothing and made the ferry by the skin of our teeth. In fact Don stood on the gang plank whilst I hobbled up behind, and as soon as I was on board they hauled up the gang plank and off we set,

We stayed in to do a daf yomi and to have an earlyish night.

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