Markets, Goats, Rain and Wind

Eating, Matthew style
see all photos »

Our last Saturday in New Zealand.  The weather has certainly turned for the worst.  It was intermittent showers all day, and strong winds.  Luckily we seemed to be outside in the sunny periods, and escaped the worst of the rain.  I dont mind the rain though, clears out the cobwebs!  We hear its 26 degrees in the UK - only 19 degrees here.  Oh well, such is life!

Today was my choice of activities, as I have been getting a bit fed up of chasing fish, so put my foot down.  Steve did go out fishing in the morning though, but no good, too many rocks or something!  So firstly we all went for a stroll along the beach for 30 mins or so.  Was a good walk, Matthew is much better at walking now, seems to go further before asking to be carried.  He enjoyed following our footsteps in the sand, and we enjoyed just the expanse of space and the fresh air.  It can get very cooped up in the motorhome, especially when it is raining.  I think when we return to the UK we will all go to separate parts of the house for a few weeks to get our own space!

my choice of activities

Goat Island
see all photos »

Then we left the site, and drove back to Warkworth.  We head to a farmers market, which turned out to be a bit rubbish really, the ones in UK are better.  I had visions of farmers selling legs of lamb and piles of vegetables from the back of wagons, but there were only a few stalls, and mainly jewellery and non-food stuff.  We had a stroll round the site though, as was a few farm animals, some kids rides, and an art gallery.  We head to the restaurant, sit down, then decide to leave after a few minutes! Well, Im fed up of eating rubbish food in rubbish places, and it just had a feel that it was going to be rubbish.

Out comes the winter gear!
see all photos »

We head down to Leigh (yes there is one in NZ), where I had read there was a good restaurant.  But it is shut for the afternoon, some private function!  So sandwiches it is, up near Goat Island.  This is an island, with a marine reserve around it.  There are tons of exotic fish in the sea around the island, excellent for snorkelling or scuba diving. We had a look from the shore and saw lots of gorgeous looking fish swimming around.  If we hadnt have had the kids I would have gone snorkelling or on the glass bottom boat, though maybe not in the weather conditions.  It is restrictive, having the kids, but if I were older then I wouldnt have even gone on the rocks like I did, so it isnt that restrictive.

I love this pic of Steve carrying LLoyd at Piha
see all photos »

After a couple of hours at Goat Island we head south to a place called Piha.  This is down a long windy road, up and down the hills, until you meet this awesome surf beach.  With the weather as it is the surf is massive, it is an amazing site as we arrive.  The campsite seems good too, it is practically empty with lots of space for Matthew to run around.  So we park up and go for a stroll along the beach before the sun sets.  Again we just miss the rain, must be our lucky day!

Taking a stroll
see all photos »

I've really enjoyed today, has been a lovely family day.  I must remind myself when Im back in the UK to just stroll along the beach, there is really nothing that beats it.  I'm so tired now I can hardly keep my eyes open.  I think we are making the most of our holiday, relaxing and seeing things aswell.  I am conscious that when we get to America we will be quite busy, so spending the last few days in New Zealand just taking it easy.  Me and Steve are both looking forwards now and will be pleased to leave here, 2 months is definitely long enough I would say. I doubt we will return to New Zealand in a hurry, maybe Steve will with the boys to go fishing, but I have no major inclination to come back.  Maybe for the vineyards though....