A trip to Napier

Eddie purchased a takacat inflatable boat last week. He has been looking for one for ages, but new ones are quite expensive, so it was put into the "later on basket".The kayaks were good, but we don't have room for them, now that we are changing tow vehicles. As luck would have it, someone in Napier was selling one, along with a motor, at less than half the price of a new one. We have an old neighbour living in Napier, so we caught up with her and picked up the takacat at the same time.

Eddie at the look out on the way to Napier.

We had a stop on the way at a look out that Eddie has wanted to stop at for a while.It looks over a cool water fall which I think are the Opoto Falls.

Old Cars in the CBD

Bluff Hill

 We went and had a look out over Bluff Hill. This is where gun emplacements were established during the second World War. It is rather nice now, with gardens and seating.

Bluff Hill Gardens

Mt Te Aroha

We are enjoying quite warm weather with 30 degree days. Yesterday we put a sunshade up that attaches to the awning and keeps out 80% of the UV rays. It was amazing how much cooler it was behind it. We forgot we had it, which is why it wasn't put up earlier. Doh!

I went for a tramp to Mt Te Aroha yesterday. Not the most successful tramping day out I have ever had. I got to the look out after about an hour and thought this is only going to get steeper. My fitness levels have definitely dropped off. We had  new lady with us, who also decided she didn't have the stamina to go any further either, so we went back down. 

To pass the time while we waited, we decided to walk around the wetlands near Te Aroha. We hadn't gone too far when the sole of Joy's sneaker came off, so it was just as well she didn't keep going up the mountain. 

I had taken the car keys of the car we traveled in, so we could put our packs away, so Joy and I came home about 3 30 and the driver stopped at our place to collect the keys on her way home. As they never got down from the mountain  until 6 pm, I was glad we hadn't hung around Te Aroha. They came down a different track, which isn't as steep, but quite a bit longer. I have decided I need to go up to the Wairere Falls a bit to get my fitness levels back up.

Browning came for the day and this is how he traveled. He seemed very comfy.

This is a view from part way up Mt Te Aroha.
You can just make out the race course.

Not Much to Report

There isn't a lot to tell you today, but I thought you might enjoy a little something I wrote a long time ago. We were out on our motor bike at the time and all the cows had their tails painted ready for the mating season. I wondered how the cows felt about that and this is what resulted.

THE LAMENT OF COW 174

Dear Farmer,

Today you painted the base of my tail blue. Next month, when my herd sisters have rubbed it off, you will paint it pink. Then, the biggest indignity of all, the man with "the bull in the bag" will come, with his arm covered up to his armpit in a rubber glove, and do unspeakable things. Well, I mean to say, would you like it? I think not.

I can remember my yearling year, when Boris and Ernest cavorted with me and my sister yearlings. Oh, but they are a couple of bulls! I see them in other paddocks with the new yearlings. I moo out to them, but they take no notice of me. I am either pregnant or they are too busy.

At the end of the mating season, those cows lucky enough not to have cycled regularly, get a visit. It's not fair!

So, my cow cocky friend, this is a warning. This year I'm not cycling at all. I shall shrug off all attempts to rub our my blue and pink stripes, because I want Ernest and I want him now!

Yours Sincerely,

Cow 174

PS Down with dogs. Cows rule OK.

Storms and Gardens

We survived the storm last week with no problems. We took down the awning, just in case, as it was quite windy here. We had a lot of rain, so the local farmers will be pleased.

Our little garden is going well. We have had a feed of beans and silver beet. Tonight we are going to have a salad, with the lettuce out of the garden. It is looking quite pretty with the marigolds on the outside. We are waiting for the tomatoes to ripen.

Happy New Year

Well here we are in 2018 already. I hope you all had a great new year.
We weren't going to go anywhere, until someone that Eddie works with rang and said are you coming to Phil's? We won't be late we decided. We weren't; we were early. I turned out the light at 1 26 am. That's the first time we have seen the new year in for quite a few years.

On the 30th, we went to catch up with a friend of Eddie's, who we haven't seen for ages. They have a bach at Matarangi near Whitianga. We took ages to get through Tairua because of the one way bridge just before the shops etc. Because it was so busy, there were stop go men directing the traffic. We decided to stop at Whitianga for lunch. Not a parking place to be found. We double parked to use the loos and went on to Kuaotuna. It was pretty busy there too, but there was parking and we were able to get a pie and an ice cream for lunch.

After a cuppa and a chat with Dwayne and Bev, we all went down to the water for a swim. Eddie and I took our new boogie boards, but Eddie didn't think the sea would be very good for boogie boarding. The water was quite warm and we spent ages jumping the waves and non stop talking too.
After dinner, we all went for  a walk along Matarangi beach.

evening at Matarangi Beach

a nice after dinner stroll

The next morning was just as sunny and warm, so after morning tea we went for another swim. This time the water was good for boogie boarding. I managed 3 good rides. Eddie did better, because he has still got his surfing instincts. Hopefully I will get more practice in over the rest of the summer.

On our way home, we stopped at Turua and bought an ice cream which we ate by the jetty at Turua, which we didn't even know was there. The river is the Waihou and is tidal at this point, which is why the river looks very full.

Waihou River Turua.