Books, wine, a movie, music, etc.
Driving home we saw a small wooden sign hanging in an angle from a tree, warning the alert drivers amongst us that there was a waterfall nearby. That always attracts us so we commandeered our EV up the mountain in our search for the falls. About 35 km further (far past the point where you say to yourself 'this is enough, we're going back') later we were at the falls. Nobody there. We scanned in (yes, really) and walked to the falls. pretty nice surprise.
As the holiday was not over yet we visited Foxton, world famous (!) for it's windmill and Dutch museum. It's only that geography is hardly taught anymore in Dutch schools that you have never heard of this place!
In the museum we saw this nice poster comparing the two countries. Just in case you are planning your 3 week trip to NZ (1 week) en Aussie (2 weeks), think again!
This was the real reason we came to Foxton. Located at the base of the mill is a little 'eatery' where they serve 'kroketten'.
Nienke had her 'kroketten' with a bottle of juice and I with a big glass of milk. Kiwi's still look a bit bewildered when you ask for a glass of milk. The last time I asked for one in Napier I got ice cubes in it. They probably thought it was necessary to 'upgrade' this ordinary refreshment.
A few friends down the road organised a concert by her own band. Lovely night and good music.
I am now playing tennis in three different competitions. Last Wednesday we reached the final again in our business house competition. I was asked by one of the nurses to play in her team in a Levin competition (not very competitive though, but fun). And Garth, a good friend, asked me to play for Pukerua Bay in his team which plays in the third national division. I had not played a single for years so I was a bit weary to play. But he convinced me by saying he had already written my name on the game sheets so it was a done deal. Mmm. Well, alright. Won my double with him and then beat a 15 year younger guy in the single. Suddenly I have a ranking again. Would tell you what it was if only I could find it. Am supposed to play again tomorrow, but the rain and howling wind made me send a text to him to say that my spectacles with windscreen wipers are at the repair shop.
Dick visited us from Taranaki. Came over to fish, with the boat that I bought from him. Dinner the night before. Note that everybody is still smiling!
And here again smiles were in order, especially when I brought the Black label outside.
And it was late.
The next day we were going out on the boat. Started the motor to test. It started, but no water from the 'tell tale'. I now know what I am talking about but I have to confess that at first I thought he was joking! Dropped the boat of at the repair man, but when the boat was ready for us the sea was too rough to go out. So we went to a 'great fishing spot' to do some surf casting. Unfortunately somebody forgot to tell the fish again. Nada. OK, that is not completely true, I caught half a camping tent.
Don't know what it is with selfies, but this one was sent to me by Dick, made at the Otaki river mouth where we were going to catch heaps of fish.....
The next day I was going to participate in a 'escape room' game to which I had reluctantly agreed to join. The practice had arranged a bus so everybody could have a drink. Off we went to the Hutt. The others must have misunderstood the message about the drinking (at least I thought that was for the return journey) as they had already started, but ay, that's what Kiwi's do on a company christmas do.
I have to confess that the 'Escape room' was actually quite funny. Nothing to do with the gay scene at all! Happily we sat down on the deck of a pub to look at the harbour and the always showing-off joggers. The ladies ordered one after the other cocktail with odd names. Oh my, I think I need to start wearing a hat more often!
My group actually managed to get out of the escape room before our hour was over. Dinner later that night was great fun. One of our more 'vol slank' ladies made everybody laugh out loud when a stag do was passing by the window where she was sitting and she yelled out to the groom-to-be 'Ay, don't do it, in 10 years she will look like me!'. Very funny.
And then it started. Rain, rain and more rain. It just kept going. Bucketing down. It was so bad that Nienke had to activate the Councils emergency centre. Parts of Kapiti were completely flooded. When Nienke, after working 15 hours, tried to get home she discovered that the road to home was unpassable for an EV. Water and electricity....... Me and my climate change unfriendly 1997 diesel Nissan Terrano braved the water and came to the rescue. The water was pretty high though and my Terrano was not happy at all, but it brought us home.
In the morning we got up to check the road or the lake, just what you fancy.
The water in the stream rushing to the ocean. Flooded paddocks in the rear.
The famous farm track that sometimes can be used when the water is high. You can see a lake is forming there as well.
This is me checking out the depth of the water, only to discover my left boot is not water tight anymore.
It was deep alright. Locals has already renamed the flooded area 'Lake Harakeke'. As we did not want to miss the party we were invited to in Hawkes Bay, to celebrate Louis his birthday, we decided to give it a go. My Terrano once again managed to plough through the water, audibly unhappy with this unwanted bath. We managed to reach Nienkes car that was parked on a safe dry place. Transferred al the luggage and discovered I had forgotten my flip flops. Going back for it was simply not an option.
In shorts, a T-shirt and big black gum boots I arrived at the luxury village Louis had rented right on the beach in Waimarama. Two cooks were preparing our meal when I entered and looked at me with an expression on their face as if I came to repair something.
Nienke laughing about the presents Louis his family had sent from the Netherlands. Amongst it Paradontax toothpaste.
View from the beautiful villa.
Louis and I (the small guy on the left) having a toast to Sphaerinda, the tennis club we both were a member of. We were both member of the committee hat organised the international Sphaerinda tennis tournament. We played hockey in the same team as well; Laren double 1.
What a lovely family he has.
Very nice dinner with more presents and speeches.
A beautiful spectator when I was taking my morning shower. Obviously it did not bite my head of.
Everybody present at breakfast after having the second swim in the ocean in as many days.
One last walk over the beach.
A quick lunch with the remains of the previous night.
Big thanks to Louis and a last farewell to Waimarama and we were of to home again. At least that's what we thought.
The floodings made the national news, see here an article in the Herald. Literally an overdose of rain. when we reached Otaki it was clear we could not get home, so we gate-crashed our friends house and spend a couple of hours (including a nice Indian meal) giving the river some time to drop a level. That did not happen, but wanted to go home. Got to my car again, transferred all the luggage again, including my new flip flops and managed once again to convince the old beast to brave the water.
We were not the only area affected by the way. See the drama's in the Hutt area here. Then again, some people are making the most of it and are having fun.
And the guy who makes our haybales became world famous for ferrying smaller cars from one side to the other. See here a video clip.
Too late of course, but Wellington regional council who is responsible for the water ways finally ordered some people to try to clear the stream from way to much green. Too little too late. Nice day today, but rain is coming, again, all days next week. Luckily I have a boat now!
And here again smiles were in order, especially when I brought the Black label outside.
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