New Zealand Part 1 2006/07

Auckland Harbour comes alive on ‘Auckland Day’

Fireworks off the Sky Tower for the start of the Auckland Festival

Keith enjoys the Party in the Park – despite the rain!

A wonderful embroidery exhibition included this ‘down under’ world map!

Carol & Trevor join us at a Festival Jazz concert.

Chinese Lantern Festival in Auckland’s Albert Park.

Our favourite advertisement so far – ‘Vegetarian Sweet & Sour Pork’

‘Freddy Mercury’ and Queen – still alive and well in New Zealand…

The Waitakere Ranges give a great view of Auckland City.

Piha Beach – renowned for its wild surf and black sand.

Pam & Shane take us to Tauranga via Mount Maunganui – a memorable place!

The beautiful Karangahake Gorge – starting point for some lovely walks.

Napier – one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world…

… and the wonderful detail still preserved.

The Spanish Mission style of architecture.

Napier – one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world…

Neighbouring Hastings also has some beautiful examples of Art Deco buildings and is a great town to wander around.

… and a lovely Tourist Information Centre.

The Urewera National Park is a vast unspoilt area…

The Waikato Valley – the setting for ‘Hobbiton’ was in this area.

A common sight in New Zealand!

Yet another stunning waterfall.

Anzac Day – 25th April, 2007

Anzac Day dawns – with a Maori tribute to the dead…

… and a wreath from the victorious enemy.

Anzac Day 25th April

auckland 020 embroidery exhibition

Jamie & Lucy Savoir Vivre help us celebrate Christine’s birthday in 2007

272 Ponsonby Road, where Christine spent her childhood – it’s now a posh cafe – with Leanne, a new NZ friend.

The All Blacks perform the ‘haka’ at the start of the game against France at Eden Park

The atmosphere was great!

Keith (wearing his Welsh Rugby shirt) tries a NZ hotdog at the game.

At the Auckland Maritime Museum…

Keith tests his fitness on the grinding machine!

The Winter Gardens are renowned for their beautiful hot house flowers.

Carol & Trevor and Pippa with us at Earthsong Lodge, Great Barrier Island.

The New Zealand Tui bird

Trevor and Keith design and build a better drainage system!

With Toni & Peter SY Tigger at the Minus 5 bar – all ice including glasses and sculptures.

The Auckland Fish Market was just down the road – superb – and Keith did a fish filleting course there.

There is a huge range of delicious smoked fish…

… and live Paua for sale – at NZ$125 per kilo!!! – mainly for the Japanese tourists.

A walk to Herne Bay to admire all the different architectural styles – particularly this early colonial piece.

Keith’s cost accounting project with Anton’s Seafood required some hands-on observations!

The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony marks the beginning of the Auckland Seafood Festival…

…and includes scattering rose petals over the water.

And the seamen competed in the Greasy Pole competition…

… with limited success – as you can see by the splash!

Keith tried ‘whitebait fritters’ – a local delicacy in season.

And there was this GIANT paella!

And, as always, there was some Maori culture.

Pippa gives birth to Xavier on 17th September, 2007, in Sydney – with proud father Dan in attendance!

xavier, carol & pippa

And super proud grandmother, Carol, also in attendance!

Christine’s brother Peter and his wife Anita went to France for the Rugby World Cup – so we had a chance to get to know their twin boys…

… Jordan and Zach insisted on crossing this stream – although the air temperature was really nippy.

… Jordan and Zach

Watching the start of the Auckland Marathon.

John & Annette Orchard provided many wonderful meals and great evenings – thanks a bunch!

Jeremy and Lizzie Orchard.

We visited Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World courtesy of Christine’s job…