Waipu

Yesterday was fine and sunny (again) and we decided to go down to Waipu.  We had heard about a garden between Waipu and Waipu Cove called Roots and Shoots that also serves Devonshire Teas.  They have, apparently, worked out how to make their own clotted cream. (Not impressed with the teas although I have heard good reports perhaps it was just a bad day!!)

Just as we arrived at the  gardens the sky clouded over and there were a few drops of rain but we had our tea followed by a look around the gardens and the cage of what I am told were Eastern Water Dragons  - you can just see one behind the wire netting.

From there we went on to Waipu Cove where the water looked almost oily as it contained a  large amount of a type of sea weed.

We then headed back to Waipu (our main reason for the trip was to buy some of Malcolm Harker's Celtic and New Zealand Sea Salt with deep water sea kelp).  We then had a coffee and delicious gluten free orange cake followed by a walk around the park.

 Not sure what the above tree is - from a distance it looks like red berries but on closer inspection it was actually small red flowers.  Anyone know?

Then it was time to start heading back and we made a diversion to the Marina at Ruakaka to visit a friend who is, currently, living aboard his boat there.

We left just after taking Sophie for her walk and got back just before 6p.m. so it was a good day out.

My break away continued

 On Saturday I walked down from Whatuwhiwhi to Tokerau Beach.  I had two people to visit there.  First was the husband of the couple I boarded with in Auckland when I arrived in New Zealand in 1965.  I lost touch with them for over thirty years until he moved up here.  He lives on the beach but she finds it too isolated and lives in Auckland.  Next was the sister of a former neighbour.  The last photo is as Leona and I walked back together through some bush.

In the afternoon I went to the Whatuwhiwhi Peninsula to visit another friend.  As you can see it is a marvellous beach and nearly deserted.