Knowing I’d be doing more than I’d have time to write up I was tempted by Dubber’s postcard strategy of posting a photo with a short letter under it, but that doesn’t seem to be working either. Or maybe the jetlag is still with me. I dunno.
Suffice to say the first week has rocketed by. It was weird leaving Brum on Monday morning and, allowing for my being fucked on arrival, not really doing anything until Thursday, but a lovely time was spent with mother in Raglan walking on the beach and even going into the sea (!!). I took photos.
I liked Raglan. It was a perfect introduction to New Zealand. I could see my mother settling there and running a yoga cafe place for hippy surfers.
The sand is black, which is odd, and dense, which means the sea is very clear as it doesn’t stay suspended in the surf.
After that we went to Bridal Veil Falls which is a lovely waterfall. Photos will follow soon (upload speeds here are very slow…)
Today we went to Auckland to look after Isobel and Spike while sister Lucy and bro-in-law Jeff bugger off for their wedding anniversary weekend break without the kids. I’m going to be staying here for the next week and I think investigating Auckland will be the initial plan of action before heading out into the wilds. Maybe. I’m still a bit shell shocked by it all to be honest.
But it’s fantastic. Wish you were here. (Well, some of you.)
Great post and pics, Pete.
Hope you enjoy Auckland. I certainly had a great time being back home there, but I had the distinct advantage of knowing people and places.
I recommend having a coffee at
Conch Records on Ponsonby Road. It’s sort of ‘Jibbering Records goes on holiday’… which should provide you with a weirdly satisfying alternate reality experience.
Bloody good coffee too.
There is a really fantastic, beautiful beach on west coast sort of the other side of Auckland where they filmed The Piano – can’t remember what it’s called – Dubber will know? black sand also and a bit kind of wilder than other Auckland beaches – breath taking views.
I also liked Devonport for a bit of slightly older architecture/bungelows.
I seem to remember some interesting streets near the art gallery in down town Auckland, lots of independent shops/galleries etc..
I can also vouch for the Ponsonby area for lots of cafes. Thanks for pointing out Andrew’s pics nice to have some vicarious travel.