How many for breakfast?

 March 3rd and 4th

Friday was a day of hanging around. We managed to move from right next to the road to nearer the waterline, it was in a good place for the solar blanket to do its job. Nearby was the swimming baths, and somewhere we could go to have a shower. Played more Quiddler and both of us finished our books. 6.30 pm on the dot my cousin Terri and Ray turned up to take us for a meal. The place was called St John's Eatery because it used to be the old ambulance station and a very popular place. Good job Terri had booked a table 'cos I very much doubt we would have got in otherwise. The meal was delicious. The fish all three had was Teriyaki with chips and as I'm not a fish lover, I had half a chicken with broccoli and chimichurri sauce. Lovely to see my cousin again, three years since we last met and it was almost as if we had never been apart. 

March 4th

We left Evans Bay early. An arrangement had been made with Marilyn and David to meet up in Paraparaumu for breakfast. We had to be there for 8.30 am so with roughly 60 km to do, go to the dump station first to empty the grey waste as well as take fresh water on board, and then find a garage to top up with diesel, it meant we were up and ready for the off just before 7 am.

 

Gosh there were a multitude of Marilyn and Davids friends, as well as Olek their grandson, and all to join us for a hearty breakfast. Introductions made, two we had met before, Bruce and Gary and as we were the guests, placed in strategic positions so we could converse with them all.

Thanks goes to David for taking this photo.

Ian is hiding behind Marilyn!

Breakfast was substantial, very tasty and reasonably priced. That would be enough to keep the hunger pains at bay for the rest of the day. We then departed back to Waikanae to see M&D's new property in a lovely retirement village. Most of the place had been decorated, carpets and kitchen all done and it was time to choose the fabric for the blinds in all rooms. This was where we came in, another two pair of eyes to help the decision. A while later, just as we were about to leave came a knock on the door. It was the man with the census forms. 2023 Census is on the 7th of March and according to that man, we are also to be included. But this is where it gets a wee bit complicated. As Freedom Campers we are obliged to say where we are on that day. Doesn't matter what nationality you are, everyone must take part. If we hadn't been with Marilyn, we would never have known, no billboards or advertising had been seen anywhere so it stands to reason that most foreign tourists will have no idea! Anyway after a discussion with the chap, we were told we could do it online stating where we are on the 7th. I just hope we are not in a Wi-Fi black spot!

Quiddler was played in the afternoon, Olek made a delicious homemade hummus which was served during the game. Slightly difficult in dealing cards over the food. David was just waiting for me to deal one into that hummus, I was extra careful not to! Anyway I won the game, David a very close second, third was Ian,  Forth Olek and Marilyn came last. I think she called me a bitch!😁

A last photo taken of us all just before we left, but it was not a goodbye because we will see them in the UK when they return for the first time in three years to take Waka Huia out of the marina. We plan to meet up somewhere.

It was a toss up as whether we head North or back South and then East to take the Upper Hut road. Ian fancied doing the Remutaki Hill again. 4 months ago, on the 3rd of November (gosh almost to the day) we did this heading to Featherston. Then the weather was sunny but very, very windy. Today no wind but wet and miserable. Looking back at that post I find nearly all the photos I took are the same ones as then. We even pulled in at Lake Domain Reserve near Featherston for our overnight stay. How bizarre was that!

 

 Hopefully the weather will improve. There is a lot of exploring to do tomorrow when we reach Mount Bruce and I really don't fancy walking miles in the rain!

And this made me smile. Ian trying to get rid of the Gull

 And wildlife