Earthshine

James and I checked out of our Airbnb and then collected Jamie from the airport at 10. After dropping him at home we had breakfast at the Island Bay Beach House (of course!) There were huge waves sweeping into the bay; banks of turquoise water swelling up and then sloping down, crashing against the rocks. Spectacular. We took an Uber with Jamie and Kerry from Burwah Street to the airport and caught the 13.35 plane to Fiji. When boarding was announced the Air Fiji asked us if we were ready to fly to paradise! We had amazing views of Island Bay as we climbed up into the air, we could see the waves clearly. It took about three hours to fly from Wellington to Fiji, and after going through arrivals and biological security we got to the hotel at about 5.30 p.m. The Hilton is a long hotel with lots of different white painted villas and buildings. Our rooms are next to each other and they are lovely; facing on to the long, sandy beach. We went for a stroll along to the adult pool where we all had a swim before dinner. We saw a mynah bird sitting on the grass near us, and another one on the roof of a building. The air and the water were so warm, it was idyllic, and the sky was blue and pink and orange as the sun set. Dinner was excellent and we had a good chat before retiring to bed somewhat exhausted after our journey. The moon was a thin crescent, lit at the bottom rather than the side with its “horns” pointing upward. I could see the rest of the moon as a pale glow; this is called Earthshine.

Wellingtonians

We had a lovely Wellington day today. It has worked well spending a fortnight in this friendly and vibrant city, getting to know the area quite well. James and I had breakfast in our favourite Island Bay Beach House Café, sitting outside looking at the sea and the snow capped mountains of the South Island. We had a pleasant day walking around Wellington harbour area and meeting Kerry, Kevin and Jenny for coffee at Beach Babylon. In the afternoon we did some packing; one suitcase for Fiji and one to be left at Jamie and Kerry’s house in Wellington. After a very tasty dinner at Burwah Street made by Kerry we headed back to the Airbnb for a cup of tea and I phoned Jennifer for a nice chat and then we watched an episode of Vikings. I was sorry to hear on the news that Janey Godley has died today back in Scotland at the age of only 63. She kept us all going during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 with her hilarious voiceovers of Nicola Sturgeon’s daily Covid updates. 

A Swim at Freyburg Pool

This morning Jamie and Kerry were at work and James felt full of the cold, so James had a walk to Lyall Bay and back and then a rest at the Airbnb. I drove into town and met Jenny and Kevin at the Freyburg swimming pool on the harbour front. Kevin went to the gym and Jenny and I went for a swim. It’s a long pool at 33 metres and very bright and airy, and I enjoyed my swim very much. Jenny and I then popped up to the hot tubs from where we had a great view over the sea, but they were so hot that I had to keep dipping in briefly and then sitting up on the edge! I had a coffee with Jenny and Kevin sitting outside at the wee café beside the beach, it was a lovely location. 
Then off I set on an errand. Jamie needed to leave work at lunch time and get his car to a Panel Beaters in Upper Hutt and then to Wellington Airport by 2 p.m. to catch a flight to Christchurch. So I drove about forty minutes to Upper Hutt and met Jamie there, he dropped off his car and we drove back to Wellington and to the airport. We got there ten minutes before check-in closed and Jamie got his plane! 
Later we had pizzas at Burwah Street with Kerry, Kevin, Jenny and the two dogs Luna and Whisky. Whisky is fascinated by Luna! Another lovely evening. 

Whitireia Park

Jamie and Kerry were back at work today and Whisky was going out with his dog walker for the second time, so James and I were footloose and fancy free. When we drove down to the seashore at Island Bay we could see the South Island very clearly after yesterday’s rain. We had a yummy breakfast at Maranui Café in Lyall Bay, the views over the sea were stunning. 
We then decided to go to for a walk to Whitireia Park near Porirua, about forty minutes north west of Wellington. We had such a lovely sunny and windy walk there. The sea was turquoise with long waves sweeping in. There were two wing surfers holding butterfly shaped sails, dashing across the water. Their surf boards were rising right out of the water with only the fins touching the sea. Even more impressive was a kitesurfer who was scudding across the waves and then when the wind caught his parachute he was lifting right up into the air, maybe about 20 metres high. He must be very skilled. Anyway, James and I walked along the coast to a beautiful beach and then made our way up quite a steep grassy track which took us along the edge of the cliffs, and eventually down to the Carved Maori Pou Statue which overlooks the bay. 
Later Kevin and Jenny arrived in Wellington and the six of us went for a celebratory engagement dinner to Kisa in the town centre. The menu was Middle-Eastern tapas and it was absolutely delicious. Jamie and Kerry were so happy and we had a great evening. 

Pizzas at the Empire Cinema

Whisky and I were having a delightful morning cuddle on the couch when we were amazed by an extremely heavy downpour of rain. I mean really heavy; it was drumming on the roof of the house! James and I went to the Spruce Goose for breakfast and got five pink peonies for Kerry at a wee flower shop in Lyall Bay. By the time our newly engaged couple Jamie and Kerry arrived back at lunchtime the sun had come out and we were able to eat lunch in the garden. What a change in the weather! James and I walked to Island Bay later and it was like a summer’s day; I sat on the beach to read my book and James went for a walk along the coast. I was mesmerised by the beauty of the waves. 
Unfortunately James has caught my cold and was feeling a bit rough so he wasn’t hungry for dinner and decided to have an evening at the Airbnb. Jamie was working so that left Kerry and me to have a girls’ dinner together. It was extremely nice to spend some girl time with my son’s fiancée! We had pizzas at the Empire Cinema Café and they were delicious, and we had a lovely chat about the engagement and future wedding plans. At my request Kerry had brought the leftover sandwich from lunch time and I took it back to the ailing James with a couple of slices of my pizza. He was hungrier than he had thought so they were a welcome supper for him! 

Exciting news from Dunedin

This morning we took Whisky for a walk and then had our usual breakfast at the Beach House Café in Island Bay, where we are becoming regulars! We went into town to visit the Wellington War Memorial park which was very impressive, the older monument is currently covered in scaffolding but the new part is very impressive in chunky red stone with New Zealand designs on it. We also had a quick visit to the smart supermarket Moore Wilson’s and had coffee across the street at Café L’Affare. Then we headed back to Jamie and Kerry’s house to spend a very rainy afternoon with Whisky, cuddled up on the couch. We were just about to go out for another walk when the phone rang; it was Jamie and Kerry video calling us from a hot tub at their hotel in Dunedin. Kerry was wearing the most beautiful diamond ring - they are engaged! We did know in advance that Jamie had planned this lovely surprise for Kerry, hence our dog-sitting duties from Monday to Wednesday. Jamie proposed to Kerry on their favourite beach where they went on their first date. How romantic! He even arranged for a friend to slip down to the beach to take photos! They were both so happy, and we are absolutely delighted for them. After our walk with Whisky we went to the Tuesday night pub quiz at the Sprig and Fern where we came second last; we named ourselves “The Bairns” because the bar man we were chatting to comes from Falkirk, he heard the name being called out by the quizmaster and was very pleased! Back at the house we spent lots of time playing with Whisky until we were all tired out! 

Wrights Hill Fortress

Jamie and Kerry set off early on Monday morning to Dunedin for a couple of nights. This was for a very special reason of which more tomorrow. James and I were therefore left in charge of Grand-dog Whisky. Jasmine had stayed overnight at the house so she took care of Whisky until we arrived at about 10 a.m. and took him for an outing by car. James had discovered that Wrights Hill Fortress happened to be open on Monday (Labour Day) - one of only four days a year that it is open. So it seemed like an ideal opportunity to visit. These underground tunnels were built during the Second World War as a defence in case New Zealand was invaded. The tunnels link war shelters, gun emplacements and an engine room. The fort never saw action, fell into disrepair and was restored in the 1980s. The pleasant volunteer who sold us our tickets mentioned that dogs are welcome but that they put rat poison in the tunnels so we shouldn’t let him sniff anything. I immediately decided that it would be an excellent idea not to take Whisky down there at all! James happily went by himself and Whisky and I socialised above ground with legions of dog lovers of all ages. I took Whisky up to the Lookout Point, which had amazing views all over Wellington, and James joined us there. In the evening we ate pizzas, took Whisky for another short walk, and relaxed watching television.