Waitangi Day Weekend - Devonport & Waiheke

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Waitangi

.............and because Kiwis do so love their holidays this weekend was another long one in celebration of the Waitangi Treaty being signed. the Treaty marked a "peaceful" agreement between the Brits and the Maoris regarding land rights. Well that was the aim anyway. Apparently there is alot of confusion over the translated version and it would appear that both sides may have signed up to a different agreement and its still causing problems today - but hey lets celebrate anyway!

I celebrated by getting mucho sun burned walking up the North Head (an old volcano) in Devonport. I got some great views - especially of Rangitoto - another big volcano. there are alot of them in Auckland!!! Devonport is a very nice little seaside town 10 minutes from the city on a ferry. My walk ended up in the British pub in town. All in the name of Waitangi of course....I couldn't find a Maori pub.....



The next day I caught another ferry to Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf with Nathalie - we were off to the Waiheke Island Wine festival....bliss! The sun was out and we spent the day lazing on the grass trying numerous different labels, Mudbrick, Goldwater, Isola, Man O War...to name but a few. Go and buy some New Zealand wine - its luuuuurvely!!

We enjoyed some music including the native Feelers and House of Shem which is "Dub" which the kiwis love - a style of Reggae and was quite suited to the relaxed idyllic island setting....it all ended in dancing in front of the stage with a too much wine, too much sun type of glow.

A VERY nice way to spend the day - this is definitely the life. At the time of writing I am hearing reports of the worst snow in the UK in decades. Well weirdly I do miss the snow. Maybe I'll see some here in Winter but for now I'll keep the sun thank you very much!!!

Hope everyone is well 😊

LMx

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