Waiheke…

I was intending to get up at 630 and admire the sunrise over Auckland. Stirred at 755, but fortunately the girls had captured it on their camera.

Hayley had planned a full day of Auckland sights and lunch in Waihehe island. Drove into the CBD, girls in the front. I was in the back catching up with the big news from home with a copy of OK magazine.

First port of call was…the port. Seafood market to be precise. Inspected a tank full of eels and tucked into breakfast of toasted ciabatta and carrot juice. Next up was the sky tower. Hayley and I joined a party of cruise ship passengers in the lift. The glass panel in the floor was a nice touch. Stepped out on to the 600 ft high observation platform. Hayley took me on a 360 tour pointing out the key features of the city. Most of the old buildings had been replaced, leaving the town hall and museum as the 2 notable architectural relics. The observation platform had been designed with some 38mm thick glass panels set in the floor, offering a vertical view down to street level.Gulp!

Back in the car, we parked up under the PWC building and legged it to the ferry to Waihehe island. On the Island, Terry the taxi driver took us the scenic route to Mudbrick Vineyard - our lunch venue. Hayley quickly checked up on her staff doing a wedding shoot and then we headed off for a quick tasting. Surprise favourite was the Rose (powerful strawberry and cream aroma).

Lunch venue offered a view across the Harbour to Auckland. Lovely lunch of top notch grub. A-lo went for the scallops and snapper, Hayley the duck rillette and lamb to follow and I selected tuna and abalone and John Dory. Couldn't resist desert……

We shared the cab to the boat with another couple. The lad gingerly asked Hayley if she edited a magazine. Transpired his friend was an avid reader of New Idea, although usually it was her mother's copy….H chatted amiably with the shy fan, although her camp pal from Chester seemed more excited by meeting local celebrity.

Disembarked and spotted a couple of "interesting" ladies on the quay. Next stop on the tour was in the direction they were headed…..the Minus 5 ice bar. Posed with the snow bunnies, put on ugg boots and a parka and headed in. Supped cocktails from ice tumblers and admired the sculptures before heading for home. What a great day! Hayley had been a great host and it was great to be entertained for a change.