Jours 31-32 – Pakiri

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On est arrivé mardi en fin d’après-midi à Pakiri. Quel endroit….très isolé avec une plage superbe, entourée de collines. Cette fois, notre villa a une vue directe sur la plage!
Gabriel a été malade pendant la nuit - probablement un empoisonnement alimentaire. Enfin, vers 10h30am, il a arrêté de vomir et s’est endormi. Il a choisi quand même un bel endroit pour être malade - de son lit, il avait une vue superbe de la mer et la plage! Mercredi, on a pris ça relaxe. Lorsque Gabriel s’est senti mieux en après-midi, on s’est rendu à Goat Island Beach - une réserve marine. Jean-Michel a fait un peu de plongée en apnée, où il a vu plusieurs raies géantes; alors qu’on s’est promené sur la plage et les rochers.
Le lendemain, mercredi, on est allé faire une randonnée pédestre dans le parc régional Tawharanui. On avait de belles vues de la mer, incluant la baie Anchor et on a marché parmi des moutons et vaches et un bout dans la forêt. C’était joli et agréable.
Ensuite, on s’est rendu à « Sheepworld », pour se renseigner au sujet de l’élevage des moutons en Nouvelle-Zélande. On a vu comment les chiens sont utilisés pour aider à rapatrier les moutons. Jean-Michel s’est essayé à la tâche de « drafting », qui est essentiellement le triage des moutons en différents groupes - pas facile, mais amusant à regarder! On a vu comment ils tondent les moutons. Enfin, Gabriel et Alizé ont nourri des agneaux. On a même vu des moutons dont la fourrure avait été teinte rose fluorescent!
Après ces activités, on a continué notre route vers le nord pour se rendre dans la région de « Bay of Islands ».

We arrived in Pakiri Tuesday afternoon. This is a beautiful isolated spot, with a gorgeous beach. Unfortunately, Gabriel was sick the first night we were there. At least he had a beautiful view of the ocean and beach from his bed, while he was recuperating!
Once Gabriel felt better on Wednesday afternoon, we headed to Goat Island Beach - a marine reserve. Jean-Michel went snorkelling, while we explored the beach and rocks.
The next day, Wednesday, we did a short hike in the Tawharanui Regional Park. There were splendid views of the ocean, including Anchor Bay, and we hiked amongst the sheep and cows, as well as a small section of the forest.
We then headed to Sheepworld, to learn more about raising sheep in New Zealand. We learned how the dogs are used to round up the sheep, Jean-Michel was chosen to help with “drafting” (basically sorting) the sheep, saw a demonstration of sheep shearing, and Gabriel and Alizé fed a lamb. We had a great time there!
Then we continued on our road north to the Bay of Islands region.

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Comments

[France Aubry]

Salut!
La photo 2 est vraiment à couper le souffle!! Merci de nous faire voyager avec vous! Ici, il ne fait pas froid... il fait FRETTE!!! F xx

[Susan and Herb Pearl]

Winter is Here
With every photo of you swimming, we become increasingly envious.......and each day that we shovel, we look online for rentals in the south. You have chosen a good few months to be away. Lots of snowstorms as I am sure you have heard. Your snow removal guy is excellent....good choice. He is by far the best on the street. He is here first and sometimes comes twice. We will use him if we go away. Also- I cleared off your balcony (3rd level)......There was a large accumulation of snow, so I was worried about it melting and possible flooding in the bedroom......so don't worry. The plants are surviving although the weeping fig (not sure of name) is shedding its leaves.........a little worried, but I think this is normal. We may open the blinds for a few days to see if getting some more light helps. We were in Toronto for the weekend. Gill and Mia left for Australia on Thursday night (a night early to avoid the storm on Friday)......It was a smart idea. Justin is already in Australia. Rich and Cyndy moved to their new home on Friday.......storm day.......lots of fun. We babysat......Sage came to my family Christmas party on Saturday. Lots of fun.......with my 6 brothers, sister, spouses, and 36 neices and nephews........Always great to see everyone. We drove home on Sunday.....good driving to Belleville then a storm hit us.......7.5 hour drive home.......Scary, not so much fun. There's no place like home......we were glad to arrive. We are enjoying your blogs. Looks like you are having a wonderful time. The pics are great. We are sure you are missing your parents/family as Christmas approaches.......but what a wonderful experience.......beats shovelling on Christmas morning....enjoy the Christmas swim.......I showed the blogs to Aisha one day. She was over making cupcakes with me. Bus strike here in Ottawa.....presenting all sorts of problems......2 weeks already. World Junior Hockey tournament begins on 26th...... Hope this finds you well and happy. Hugs to all of you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Joyeux Noel et Bon Annee??? my bilingualism is slipping because my teachers (G and A) are visiting down under.......... See you soon. Susan and Herb