We ponder what to do for the day given the weather forecast looks pretty grim for the rest of the day too.
All that has to wait until we have had breakfast, which we meant to photograph yesterday, but in our enthusiasm we had tucked in before taking the picture. We requested a repeat this morning (not just because we needed to take the picture though).
This may explain why!
One came with bacon, the other was with added fruit.
So back to today's venture - we had been told by a number of people that Weta Cave was an essential stop on any Wellington itinerary. It is a film studio specialising in special effects and responsibile for an number of Sci-fi and adventure films including Avatar, Lord of the Rings, Godzilla and many more.
It has a lot of merchandising for the Lord of the Rings films and does tours of the studio explaining their work. Some essential items to buy, we are told, include Hobbit feet and ears - who can resist that eh! Especially at 54NZD for a pair of ears (that's about £25).
The studio is just a short walk away, there is a bijou problem in that the walk is over what seems like a mountain.
After finishing of the pancakes, and the fruit, and the toast, and the croissants, and several cups of tea we don the weatherproof gear and set out for the studios, having been provided with an idiot proof map by our host. (you guessed it- nothing is foolproof for a suitably qualified fool).
We have to start off by using one of the tsunami escape routes up the side of the hill/cliff/mountain.
Eric starts off on the zigzag path.
And keeps zigzagging
After innumerable zigs and an equal number of zags we reach this point - Eric thinks there won't be room for many people at the Tsunami Safe Location - it's at the junction of one of the zigzags
We get to the top of this pathway
and take what turns out to be a number of wrong turns by not following the map as well as we should, eventually having to ask a local builder, who confirms what we already know - we are lost.
Following his directions and retracing our steps we get back on track and easily spot our error. In our defence the public path clearly looks like it is down someone's driveway, which it is, only to subtly turn behind a hedge. So it will be obvious when we make the return trip.
On the way down the hill we spot this...
We hadn't booked a tour as we weren't too bothered given we are not great Sci-fi fans, but thought if there was space available we may well do it, we just wanted a peak at the Hobbit ears obviously.
The reticence was coupled with the fact that we knew that two cruise liners had docked in Wellington and, as they are only there a day, the passengers may well fill up such venues.
We have to start off by saying the tour was absolutely brilliant.
After a short film on the initial founding and aims of the firm we are guided around part of the workshop and given detail of how the props are made and some of the intricacies of the work that goes into creating the effects. There are many to see, though they are very tight on security with no pictures allowed, and where some items are being made, they ensure that only part of the process is seen. This means no one could "spill the beans " on any upcoming project.
We are able to take some pictures around the museum and shop.
Eric confers with Gollum as to where he thinks the Ring may be
Has a quick chat with one of the trolls
Lunchtime now and there is a handy cafe that we were recommended just a block away en-route back to the B&B.
We pass more Tsunami Safe Zone signage. Is one safe on one side of the line and not the other?
After the large breakfast we limit lunch to a healthy snack - tea plus crepes and fruit for one and a coconut and lemon cake for the other. We are on holiday not in a health spa, so that counts as healthy.
Consulting the map for the return leg we see the path we missed on the way and set off up the hill. Lucky we are not on an orienteering challenge as this time we take the wrong option on the way back, and after making our way down a suitable looking path that looked like it was signposted 'Pedestrian Access to Karaka Road' find ourselves in someone's back garden. Back we go (up lots of steps) and try again, this time successfully. You really have to see the way the houses are piled on top of each other along the hillside here to appreciate how easy these mistakes were to make.
The day is still best described by the blog title so we consider what the afternoon should be filled with. We haven't been to the cinema here this time round so make that the order of the day. Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore in "Miss You Already". The creative arts of Weta Studio not needed for this one, not a single battle scene. We are the only ones watching the film. Seats are comfy and film enjoyable, who can ask for more.
Visit art gallery shop on way back to car, and manage not to make any purchases, even though there are zillions of gorgeous things in the shop. Picnic on the waterfront and return to the B&B, or 'hosted accommodation' as it may be alternatively called.
Whilst sat in our lounge writing this entry we spy one of the cruise ships leaving Wellington for Akaroa on the South Island.
Packing, cups of tea, chat with host and bed.