Back Northwards then, via a walk at Cape Kidnappers. We’d not checked it out, so didn’t know getting all the way to the gannet colony was dependent on tides. Mhairi ran most of the way to the end and did see the colony.. I had a good walk, but didn’t try to get all the way.. next time. There were tractors ferrying ppl up and down the beach.. and I’d hoped that one might have taken Mb to the end (as the tide was coming in).. but not that time. I think it was there to rescue another engine which had broken down.
After that, on to the Mahia Peninsula. We were really lucky, as driving along we passed a lovely wooden chalet with an ‘accommodation’ sign up. Luckily they had space, and for $20 pp we had a huge room to ourselves, looking right out over the Pacific. It really was a great place.
Then the next morning, mb discovered the crafts shop, and we got to talking with the owners. Bill is a total craftsman. He’d made the chalets himself. Almost all the fabulous furniture he’d made himself
They had a collection of spoons from all around the world (they’ve lapped it twice)… including one from a wreck sunk just off the peninsula.
This pic..
is of an octopus lure. I forget from which island it came from, but perhaps you can see it looks like a mouse? Well the legend does, that the mouse asked the octopus to ferry it across the water.. and the octopus (being an accommodating chap) said ‘OK’ (in the way that octopus’ can’t), with the idea of eating it midway. However, he got too close to the land, and the mouse jumped off early and ran away (with the octopus snatching at him). And ever since, he has wanted to get the mouse, hence the lure.
And a million other excellent memorabilia.
So after leaving there, time to make our way to Gisbourne, where we played more mini-golf (this time ending on a draw, which was perfect I think) And out for a fabulous meal at ‘The Marina’, a quick stop into Scottys Bar (Mhairis nickname, unfortunately the bar wasn’t quite as cool).
And then a bus back to Palmy at 9am the next day. So a really fun week all in all (ta mb)… wonder where to next!
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