Anyway, Wednesday last week was WET but the forecast was for an improvement so we headed off reasonably early on Thursday morning leaving Doug's lab, Sophie at the kennels on the way. (She didn't even give him a backward glance as she bounded in).
We had some showers and then it cleared with low cloud in the valleys. Going over the Mangamuka's we were up in the clouds and as we went down Victoria Valley into Kaitaia the sun shone and we had a wonderful couple of days.
We did the visiting that I wanted in Kaitaia. When we arrived at the home of the 94 year old lady there was the smell of freshly baked bread. It was nearly ready to come out of the breadmaker. I quickly pointed out that I was gluten free before she had the chance to offer it to me and she then told us that the last person she offered a loaf to took it and she had to bake herself another one.
We had a delicious lunch at the Beachcomber Restaurant before heading to Waitangi as I had booked a night at the Copthorne Hotel. It was very comfortable and the meals delicious with an excellent breakfast consisting of lots of fruit both fresh and stewed with gluten free bread, cheese and ham. A cooked breakfast was also available.
We then headed back to Kerikeri where I browsed the "Op Shops" and visited another friend for a cuppa after having lunch at the gluten free cafe.
Home just in time to pick Sophie up from the Kennels.
It was only two days but I felt refreshed for the break.
Clouds in the valleys as we headed north
Boats moored near the hotel at Waitangi
A hang glider in the distance
and closer up
Haruru Falls
where there were some very friendly ducks
Smaller falls near my friends' house in Kerikeri
