Another good nights sleep. Started the day off with yet another fruit, Tamarillo (although we had had it as a chutney previously) this time it was the real thing. Very tasty it was too. I think that makes it number twenty seven, although saying that we realised that we had forgotten that Avocado may be counted as a fruit. Add another one to the list. This of course then opens up the whole debate as to whether Tomatoes are counted as a fruit - if this counts for you then add yet another (if your keeping count along with us that is!)
This morning besides the fruit salad, yogurt and muesli we had corn fitters with avocado, asparagus and tomato - with the addition of salmon for some.
The journey to Hawke's Bay and Napier was not a very long one, so a bit of time for stopping along the way. Our first stop was at a scenic lookout - you'll never guess what for... Yes, another waterfall. Well, two actually- the twin falls at Waiarua.
The scenery along the road was changeable, from lots of blobby cone shaped hills, both with natural forest, planted forest and with fields of sheep, to rolling plains to snow capped peaks
New Zealand lamb anyone?
and then at last, the sea. An amazing turquoise colour.
The beach was rather pebbly and went down inside your shoes as you walked on it.
This Shag was also having trouble walking on it! You should just about be able to make out it's foot where it was having to lift it up and out of the pebbles as it moved down the beach.
The temperature change from yesterday was dramatic - from a foggy damp 5 degrees to a sunny, dry and sweltering 28 degrees.
Napier is the Art Deco capital of the World. The gardens on the front were very pretty, with masses of flowers.
Can you spot Eric in amongst the Mesembryanthemums?
Napier was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and the whole city rebuilt. The Veronica Sun Bay with this sun ball was erected in 1934 as a commemoration.
There are many Art Deco buildings in the town, including lots where the shop frontage is modern but the upstairs bit is from the 1930's. Some examples below.
There was also an Art Deco fountain (or two) along the front. It was such a hot day, Eric was contemplating joining the black Labrador in the fountain.
He also took a liking to Panea of the Reef.
The back of the beach was full of flowers in many places. Not sure if they are native or arrived accidentally.
A late picnic lunch on the seafront was followed by a shortish stroll along the 'promenade' - it was many miles long. Past the National Marine Aquarium to the Art Deco Spirt of Napier statue and fountain.
After booking into the latest bed and breakfast we headed for a wetland area we had seen earlier near the harbour.
Some of the birds we saw whilst on our walk.
New Zealand Shoveler.
The ubiquitous Black Swans and a Swallow.
We ended the evening by sitting at Perfume Point to watch the sunset before returning to our accommodation.
Sophie and Zara cooking in front of the wood burning stove, not a lot of room for Eric.
Our hosts sat and had a cup of tea with us, Brian has a very good friend who lives in Ynyshir and had a Tylorstown Tigers Rugby jersey he was proud to display. His father and grandfather were both All Blacks!