8 - 11 March 2018
There and back again
We now feel really included in New Zealand. I forgot to mention in the last
entry that it was census day in NZ on 6 March and on arrival at the Waitangi
site, we were required to complete forms. Needless to say it was not too
onerous - answers to a few basic questions, skip the rest as non NZ residents
and sign. But nice to know we are in the numbers!
On the last day in Waitangi we spent several hours at the Treaty Ground
to hear lots of NZ history especially surrounding the signing of the treaty
between the British government and the Maori chiefs in 1840.
By then we were really coming to the end of the motorhome trip and
headed south again to Auckland. We
stayed at Takapuna Beach for the last night which, on paper, was reasonably
close to where we needed to return the motorhome. However, the satnav was
having one of its unhelpful days and we found ourselves driving through central
Auckland instead of bypassing it on the motorway.
Having returned the 'van (we travelled 2305 miles in total) we then
spent two nights in Auckland. While walking along The Quay, where all the old
wharves have been transformed into shops and eateries, we came to an area where
a local radio station was doing a live broadcast on some yacht racing out in
the harbour. Much to John's delight the Volvo Ocean (round the world) Race was
between legs and the boats were doing some match racing.
There was also a full-sized
cutaway model of the type of boat to clamber over. Apart from that, sorry
Auckland, but you did not inspire us. But going out to Devonport on the ferry,
walking to the top of Mt Victoria and North Head for splendid views over the
harbour and visiting the Naval Museum filled one of our days admirably.
On the second evening we met up with Hazel and Rick, friends from
Cambridgeshire, who coincidentally were in Auckland for a family wedding.
No comments:
Post a Comment