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Published: March 30th 2010
Friday, March 26th
We slept till just after 9am, had a shower, then Graeme showed us how Weetbix are supposed to be consumed; you mash a banana and add it to the Weetbix and milk mixture before covering the whole lot with condensed milk. It was absolutely amazing and will probably get us in trouble in future.
Lois was still attending to the birth so we three enjoyed a few cups of tea before taking little Midge (their rock loving little poochie) for a walk. After the walk it was time for us to get moving. We wanted to be in Auckland by Saturday afternoon, so we had some miles to go before calling it a day. Before we left Graeme gave us a 12v car battery so that the Boesman could have a separate power supply for running the fridge and inverter. It was the perfect gift for us and we were very grateful! Thanks a million Graeme! We'll put it to good use.
We had wanted to visit Napier on the east coast before heading inland to Lake Taupo for the night, but by the time we left Graeme's it was past 1:30pm and there just wasn't
enough time. We headed straight for Taupo, arriving at a free camping spot, Reed’s Farm, just after 5pm.
Talita cooked a yummy dinner, then we spent a while reading before calling it a night.
Today's highlights:
1. A breakfast fit for kings.
2. Walking little Midge.
3. 12v gift from Graeme.
4. Reaching Taupo.
Saturday, March 27th
Just after 2am some drunken numb-skulls came driving around the camp site screaming their heads off and blasting their hooter. So much for peace and quiet. When the sun came up the people in a car close to us stated playing their music at full volume. Again, so much for peace and quiet.
We left Taupo at 9:30 and headed north, through Hamilton and on to Auckland. We turned off the motorway and had lunch in the small town of Te Kauwhata before continuing on. Once in the Auckland we stopped by the ferry offices to pick up tickets for the trip to Waiheke Island tomorrow before heading on the Team Smit's house.
We were astounded by how much Keira had grown in the five months since last we saw her. She speaks so well that you can
Little Midge loves her stones
so much so that most of her front teeth are loose!actually have a conversation. When Ferdi showed her our "boat" she corrected him by saying it's a "canoe". She's cuter than ever and we we'd love to have a few girls of our own.
Nicol was out with the coastguard so we accompanied Mel and Keira for a walk to the beach. Afterwards we got a few groceries before heading home where Mel and Talita cooked dinner.
Today's highlights:
1. Making it back to Auckland.
2. Seeing the Smits again.
Sunday, March 28th
It's Talita's birthday today so we got up early in preparation for our trip to Waiheke Island. When we got to the kitchen we found that Nicol and Mel had prepared a yummy breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese and toast. It's been a while since we had a breakfast like that! Talita also got to wear her greenstone pendant for the first time.
We packed our picnic pack and Nicol helped Ferdi to store Birdsy in the garage before we drove into Auckland city. While we were looking for parking Graeme phoned to wish Talita a happy birthday. It was a rally nice surprise! We found parking that wouldn't bankrupt us and
went to sit on the roof of the ferry.
We left Auckland at 10am and arrived on Waiheke Island 45mins later. Here we got on a bus for a one and a half hour orientation tour of the island. We hadn't expected the island to be so populated. It wasn't much different from, say, the north shore of Auckland, only a bit more bushy and dotted with small vineyards. It has a very suburban feel and almost every hill is topped with a huge mansion or two.
The tour took us all over the populated part of the island before stopping for a break at a nice little cafe. Talita had a coffee, Ferdi had home-made ginger beer and we shared a big and delicious piece of cheesecake. Then the bus took us back to the town centre close to the harbour. We hopped off the bus and walked down to Oneroa beach where we set up our picnic on the grass in the shade of a tree overlooking the beach.
The rest of the afternoon was spent munching on cheese and crackers, hummus, olives, carrot sticks, cucumber slices and chips while we shared a bottle of
white wine that Lize and Clive had given us. We also had a nap and Talita had a tan and a quick dip in the ocean. It was a relaxing afternoon and we loved it. Even though it doesn't look much like an island there is definitely a relaxed vibe here.
At 4:30 we got the bus back to the harbor and at 5pm we left Waiheke Island. It was a great day and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Today's highlights:
1. Talita's birthday.
2. Picnic on Waiheke Island.
Thought for the day:
We want to thank everyone for their lovely birthday wishes. It's fantastic to know that we are loved by you all.
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mariana
non-member comment
Weetbix with condensed milk !?
Thats a special treat ONLY on your birthday !!! Not good for the hips !! We also have our weetbix with a banana, but there is enough sugar in already. Glad you enjoyed your birthday!! Lots of love, Mom xxx ooo