New Years Eve, Napier, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Absolutely fantastic summers day in Napier today for New Years Eve.

Visited a few touristy things like the new Museum (called the MTG) opened recently. Got there just in time for a tour of the 1931 Earthquake exhibition so that took most of our time up. Some very interesting facts we were told were something like:

- All the land behind the Bay View spur was a vast lagoon right up to the hills all around. It was only a few meters deep and good for fishing. When it rose (2.7 meters to be exactish) in the earthquake it emptied and left a big stink which the locals feared from disease. This is now where the airport is.

- A ship that sank off the coast in 1874 (I recall) floated to the surface and bobbed around the sea for several minutes before sinking again. This scarred the bajesus out of the sailors as they were superstitious fellows.

- There were several fires set ablaze due to chemist gas burners. Initially the fires were tended but after a few minutes the main pressure on the water was lost due to breaks. They attempted to divert a swimming pool water but it was too far away from the fires for the hoses. Finally they used sea water but there was so much debris in the water from thr quake these hoses blocked. This is why they had to stand and watch the town burn away, which caused most of the damage.

We also walked along the front. Had seen the Pania of the Reef Statue (1954) on many photos of Napier but had forgotten where it was so went and had a look at that. It represents a Maori legend that tells how the Pania Reef was formed. Pania (a goddess I think) left the sea people to marry a mortal chief Karitoki. When he went off to fight a war with another tribe, she was tempted back into the sea by the Lord of the Sea and she got dragged down and transformed into a rocky reef. The moral is that you have got to watch those rip tides you know.

Pania of the Reef Statue

Pizza, Christmas Jokes, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

We had Halley and Vic up from Welly for the night long drive but apparently went well with the spice girls sing along.

Did a make your own pizza evening which Halley had to be given the win for her Grape, 3 Cheese, Salad Selection Pizza. Make your own mind up (Steve very much thought fruit or salad was wrong on anything).

Then scummed to the Christmas Cracker jokes. Best one, wait for it, and we did as Steve could not read it without laughing of course:

"Santa went to the Doctors with a problem.

Doctor: What seems to be the problem?

Santa: I seem to have a mince pie stuck up my bottom!

Doctor: Well your in luck because I've got just the cream for that!"

Anyway, carrying on the music theme we went through the 70s, 80s and 90s back catalogue of music, singing was involved right through till the early hours (9.50pm).

Halley's winning Pizza

Christmas Day, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Quiet day spent outside on Christmas day.

Linda did all the lawns to try out her new Rover Rancher (19.5 HP, 46" cutting deck, 8.4 km/hr, beer can holder) ride on mower, which we are very happy with.

Linda mowing on Rover Rancher

Mike with garden ornament

Christmas Eve, Day Out, Taradale, Napier, New Zealand

Had enough of working from home for the morning so popped out for lunch. First off called at Moana Park Vineyard to stock up for Christmas. Next went to Church .... Restaurant and Bar.

Weta Great Eagle Sculptures, Wellington Airport, New Zealand

To support the release of the second Hobbit film The Desolation of Smaug, Weta Workshops put up several oversized character sculptures in Wellington Airport.

The Hobbit's Great Eagles

 

Great Eagle overhead

Gandalf

Friends Weekend, Napier, New Zealand

Boys and Girls from Wellington and Auckland motored to Napier for the weekend. Good solid entertaining weekend. Boys went out and bought us a ride on mower (with trailer), girls bought hand bags. 

Flat, Wellington, New Zealand

A lot of requests for a picture of where we actually stay in Wellington so here we go.

Nightscape, Wellington, New Zealand

Out for a night time walk. Stopped off at Bin 44 on the waterfront, which is ANOTHER boutique beer place, and had some food. Walked back at twilight and Wellington looking stunning and .... Warm and .... No Wind ???? (Global warming no doubt).

Weekender, Auckland, New Zealand

Plenty of action this weekend. Went to Auckland and partied. First off went to the zoo. There was a new bird centre that Linda wanted to see. After zoo Linda bought shoes. Avoided handbags. Phew. In celebration of the Auckland traditional dish (or that's what Aunty Marjorie tells me) I had macaroni cheese at Soul Bar restaraunt. We know how to kill it.

Spice Girl Text, Auckland, New Zealand

Met up with Sarah last night. She was running late ! Supposedly because of Lex and Phil. So Steve drank her wine.

Farmer Barley Mow, Napier, New Zealand

"Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike"

On a mission

"it's OK for you guys and gals"

"I am up to my knees in"

Fire at Napier Airport, New Zealand

Excitement of the day through a fire at Napier Airport. Having been loaded and ready to take off, we were evacuated from the plane due to a fire in the terminal building close to us. You can just see the structure melting. The fire engines turned up and gads it out pretty quickly considering it had been spreading throughout the ceiling for some minutes.

Windy Day, Wellington, New Zealand

It is blowing a hell of a wind today, so much so this building under repair on Willis Street just blew down.

City Flat, Wellington, New Zealand

This is now where we live during the week, well just at the back actually. It is a new build and we are just renting for once. Looks a bit of a concrete box but A. It ain't moving too far in a quake and B. It is new and C. there is nobody above us as the units are like town houses and D. It ain't moving in a quake !

Puketapu Arial Shot, Napier, New Zealand

As promised here is a shot of our village in Hawkes Bay. The lake is at the bottom of the village, pub just above on left. The river running to the left is the Tutaekuri River which has the cycle tracks to its left and right going down to the sea.

Jo's Garage, Wellington, New Zealand

Keeping up our restaurant theme, of course for you, we visited Jo's Garage. Does not draw you on from the street in our view but a reasonable effort inside and obvious good client turnover. I had the (can't remember the posh name) mince on chiabata which was good. The wine by the jug (from tap) was exceptional for its cost, a Wairapa Pinot Noir. Yum.

Home Sweet Outdoor Home, Napier, Nee Zealand

We now live in Hawkes Bay but until recently we have driven but so cool now we are flying, Below is a quick snap on the approach to Napier, you can see Bluff Hill next to Napier on the left. Our house is off to the very left out of shot (as we are country bumbkins). We will sit on the left next time and give you a shot.

Walk to work, Wellington, New Zealand

Having now sold our house in the suburbs we now have an apartment on Willis Street when we're here during the week.

Crab Shack, Wellington, New Zealand

Wedding anniversary (big number) so trotted out to a restaraunt we wanted to try called Crab Shack. Liked the beer handles, like the atmosphere. Food was trying to be clever but was a bit average and below pat (sorry Simon it also gave me wind). Staff very attentive though. Probably would go again for atmosphere.

Tim mate, Doughnuts, Lions, Wellington, New Zealand

Tim likes doughnuts. Yes he does. And yet he missed a Lions rugby game. Look at the queues. None. They rely on you Tim.

Weekend Napier, New Zealabd

After plenty of gardening, also trying to get out and about in our new city of Napier.

Little Beer Quarter, Bar, Wellington, New Zealand

Well, went out after work to Wellington. No idea what this rubbish on the bar is. Beer was though good. Like the bar. But bar staff (sorry young lady) yeah right, La La.

Living in town, Wellington, New Zealand

We have finally moved into the city and are now buying crap in the supermarket like proper city folk.

Tuatara APA is not crap so please excuse.

Toilet Tour, Queenstown, New Zealand

Special request from People for more photos of toilets around New Zealand as we have been slacking on this important information.

Firstly, here are the new toilets on the waterfront in Queenstown. Did not go myself but Linda reports they were good. Secondly a personal visit to Josh Emett's Rata toilet. At $18 a glass of wine you needed to see it, basic but did the job.

New Queenstown Public Toilet

Josh Emett's Rata Restaurant Toilet