Farewell to New Zealand!

 22nd to 27th March

Our last few days in New Zealand were spent in the excellent company of Jo and Bruce Blomfield around the Auckland area. 

In the last few days we went to the pretty seaside area of Devonport which has great views across to Auckland City.  

Some of the older buildings in Devonport

Views from Mount Victoria

A huge Moreton Bay Fig Tree

     

    Modern transport in Devonport

 Jo and Bruce (Blom) are justifiably proud of their new granddaughter, Elliott Kay. She and parents Ian and Tamara are all doing well. 

Elliott aged less than 7 days with proud grandparents, Jo and Blom

Elliott sizing up Jo!

 

Even after two months, there are still plenty of things that we hadn't seen. Our last couple of trips included a visit to the Auckland botanical gardens. Given the hot summer this was a good lesson in which plants do best in dry, arid conditions. These gardens cover a huge area of prime real estate yet are free and also provide great spot for a picnic. We were serenaded by some locals whose singing would be a credit to Cardiff Arms Park!

Did worry about Mike during this visit as he was rather taken by a lady with a  large beak!

Mike and his new woman!

Little worried about her legs!

Stompy woman!!

Also went to the Awhitu Peninsula. In the regional park Blom tried hard to lose us, deserting Jo, Mike and me on some flimsy pretext, leaving us to find our way across some ill defined paths! Fortunately we found our way and managed to meet up with Blom as well.

We've had a truly fabulous time in New Zealand. We've seen some amazing sights and met some fantastic people. We've learnt quite a lot about Mike's Culy relatives and received wonderful hospitality that we hope to repay soon. Farewell and thank you. We hope to be back!