Due to our late arrival back to our accommodation last night and the appalling weather, and therefore limited photo opportunities, I thought it best to combine day 13 & 14.
We left Paihia and headed to Kerikeri another town that was settled very early in New Zealand’s history. The land the town now rests on was purchased by Samuel Marsden from the local people for 48 axes. These days the original Stone Store remains, which was built in 1836 and has lots of curious touristy stuff to buy.
There is a quaint church up the hill from the store that dates back to the original Anglican missions that were common in this part of New Zealand.
From there we found State Highway 1 and headed south towards Whangarei. We stopped for lunch at Waipu before getting to Mangawhai. By the early evening the windy rain had come in, so New Year’s Eve became a largely indoor event.
The New Year event was hosted by some old friends of Deb’s (Tjitska and Tony) and their extended family. There were 28 people in for dinner including Tjitska’s mother and father (aged 80 and 90 respectively), who made for very interesting company.
The weather had really set in today and reminded me, that while I love visiting New Zealand and love lots of things, when the weather turns bad … it really turns bad!
And at the beach….
Today was lots more sitting around with the extended family before we battled the traffic, particularly through Wellsford and are back in Kumeu for the the next couple of nights, before heading home. There is more rain forecast for tomorrow, so we may well be house bound.
Until tomorrow!
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