Weather is dry but as yet not as sunny as yesterday. Warm enough to eat breakfast outside again though.
Pack our bags and leave Napier for Wellington. Mostly a travel day today so may not be much to blog about.
A quick trip to the aquarium shop on the way past, but no purchases made (if you can believe that).
Travelling on until it's time for coffee and a cake. We see that the Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre is open this time. It was before the official start of NZ summertime when passed last year and we were out of luck. The sun has come out so thought we'd sit on the cafe deck to scoff our cake, whilst at the same time looking at the wildlife. No one else was out there, great. There were Kaka flying around, Tui and NZ Pigeon as well as the chance of seeing the Takahe. Sitting down, it wasn't long before a Kaka appeared - if you thought sparrows were cheeky when in an area where people are consuming food - they don't have anything on a Kaka! In danger of losing both cake and a finger we decide to retreat inside. Eric was cowering in the bag as the Kaka had already had a go at the camera case. Too close for comfort! (but great to see the birds).
Finish cake and then go back out for some photos.
Three more of the Kaka.
The Takahe
Didn't quite manage to leave the centre without spending some dosh in the gift shop. Now thinking that may have to check luggage in the hold on way back!
Carry on through the rolling farmland, making good time. Spot a brown tourist sign - Stonehenge Aotearoa 11kms - sounds like something that needs further investigation. Check the route and find we can go there and make our way back to the main road via a scenic de-tour. Sounds too good to be true.
Arrive at Stonehenge Aotearoa and it's like driving into someone's garden. There's a small entry charge for a self-guided tour, with a seven minute video introduction to the site. It was set up by the Phoenix Astronomical Society with the support of the Royal Society of NZ, as a place of science and wonder. It tells a story both in terms of the stars, Maori legend and Druidism.
stonehenge-aotearoa.co.nz
It was very interesting, plus there were some spiffing photos of aurorae, Milky Way and meteor showers, mainly from the South Island. Although the aurora has been seen as far north as the Wairarapa (which is where this Stonehenge is).
The henge
Panoramas
Not sure what the roman statue has to do with it?
The lady on reception also told us about the acoustic effects to be experienced while standing in the circle. She said to clap or sing in various places and notice the difference. We clap. In the middle of the circle there is a resonating effect and in other places a delay in the sound coming back. We try switching iTunes on the phone with Tinarawen playing - it reverberates through the circle, even the woolly sheep outside seemed to join in with a bit of a quivering dance move (or maybe that was fear??).
The woolly sheep running away (this was after the music was finished and only when approached for a photo opp).
We reach our B&B in Wellington by four thirty. Great views across the water.
And a comfy communal lounge area
The place was previously owned by Peter Jackson, the film director. There are some axes on the wall that look like they might be from the film Lord of the Rings.
The area of Wellington we are in is called Miramar, or alternatively known as Wellywood. We had seen the sign for this on the hill last year but had not realised the significance. There is a big film industry right here in this part of town. Our hosts suggest a tour of the film studio - we might just do that - something different for us.
After tea, a chat and some Cordon Bleu cakes we head out for something to eat. A restaurant on the other side of the headland is suggested - in the sunshine and with views over towards the South Island. The road to it involves actually entering the airport, passing through it and out the other side - you have to take a ticket on the way in and use it to get out. You have to hope you don't get lost in there because you have 10 minutes when it is free, otherwise they think you've been parked at the airport and you could be charged accordingly.
The restaurant situation is wicked - although may not be to everyone's tastes. You have planes coming in to the side of you (great to watch) and in front there's the sea.
Today there was a good swell running, it was offshore and the waves were peeling off the harbour wall and breaking along the main beach. There were about forty surfers in the water, some getting really good rides.
We sat outside as the sun was still out. Service was a little on the slow side but plenty to watch so not too bothered. The waves were also crashing over the breakwater, but in addition to that there were spurts of water coming up between the 'jackstones' - the water jets must have been quite high because we were some distance away.
The food was good when it did come.
Yum.
After all that I need a walk
Returned along the scenic route thus avoiding going through the airport again.
Around the other side of the headland - Some more people surfing and some rocks.
You had to be there...the camera hasn't captured to colours
Tea back at the accommodation, plus a freshly made carrot cake appears - we share a slice before settling down for a relax and read.