Kia Ora

Monday 10th November

Still struggling with lying in we were up early again,although today it didn't matter as we had busineed to take care of so no nice sight seeing day today.

Again we took the 20 minute walk to the ferry terminal and boarded the morning sailing to the City.It was our first time across since arriving and we were looking forward to having a look around later in the day.The ferry is just a short 10 minute ride into the terminal building at the bottom of Queen Street,this proved to work out well as our bank was on Queen Street so we just had to walk in a straight line till we found it.I will say it was a good job we had the number for the building as there are 4 of our bank on this street but luckily ours was the third one that we encountered.

Had a great meeting with our bank liason officer who set up our account and issued us cards and codes for internet banking.It was nice to go in a bank where the counter staff were not hiding behind glass 2 inches thick and where they counted money withina few inches grasp so if you were that way inclined it would have been easy to snatch and grab.

We had already had some early success that morning getting cell phone numbers sorted so we were riding high and thought we better stop for coffee and bask in our glory for half an hour!!!

The real reason for stopping was that we knew it was quite a long walk to the hire car place and it was up a steep hill but eventually after a steady walk in the sun we made it to our destination.Due to a bit of research the day before we had managed to bag ourselves a newish car with 4 wheels and a steering wheel for the princely sum of 10 quid a day,which in the world of hire cars is pretty damn cheap.We crossed the T and dotted the I's then arranged to return on Wednesday to pick up the beast!!!

The walk back into town sent Mel spinning into a state of ecstasy,we had taken a tip from the bank guy and called in for a quick look around Foodtown (a supermarket) now Mel has always been a New World woman but soon turned her back on them when she saw the bargains that could be had in Foodtown,this put a spring in her step for the rest of the day!!!

Feeling like we had achieved a lot today we decided that we would treat ourselves to a pint of cold beer in The Patriot,our local high street bar here in Devonport.We were really good and only stayed for a couple of drinks before retiring back to the house for the evening.

Tueasday 11th November

With a triumphant day out of the way we decided that today we would slow things down a touch.So after breakfast (Aahh I knew there was something to mention about breakfast,I am in a rice bubble (krispie) phase that has been thrust upon me through fate and the groceries that were left when we arrived.I am much more a weetabix person and now I know why,rice bubbles seem to only fill you up for about 12 seconds before you are hearing your stomach making strange noises which make it sound like there is something living inside you and wanting to escape)

Anyway,i digress.It was another boat today but in the opposite direction to the city,this was to take us to Waiheke Island for the day.The seacat did a good job and got us there in 40 minutes flat across the turquoise Hauraki Gulf.The sun was high and there was no cloud around but we learnt from our mistakes on Saturday and did the slip,slop,slap thing to combat the sun.

Now Waiheke Island is home to around 8000 people but is such a gorgeous island with around 30 wineries (and we didn't visit one!!!) What we did visit though were several of the beaches that make up over 90 kms of coastline on this island.They were pretty stunning and we more or less had them to ourselves all day.Before we knew it our time was up and we took the ferry back to Devenport,but one final treat was still to be had.

As we passed Rangitoto there was a pod of orcas rounding up stingray to feed on and it was amazing to watch,they are such majestic creatures and move effortlessly through the water,and their black and white marking stood out well against the blue of the sea.

Just had time for a quick haircut which didn't go too well,but enough of that what do you expect for $15 before heading home to get ready for the Patriot Pub Quiz tonight.

Lots of love

M & M

xx