With the Blakes

Monday, 19th February
We leave Sumner at 6.30 am, seeing 3 Purple buses within 5 minutes, and take the hired car back to Christchurch airport where we catch our domestic flight to Napier. It is cool when we leave Christchurch (which is waiting for Cyclone Gita) but very hot an hour later when we get to Napier. We are met by Neil who hasn't changed a bit in the last 5 years. Back at Clive Colonial Cottages Sandra is finishing up after a busy weekend of guests - it has been Art Deco weekend in Napier and, with fabulous weather, visitor numbers to the area exceeded all expectations. We all go out for lunch and a catch up. There is certainly no shortage of good places to eat in New Zealand. The boys, Zac 15 and Josh nearly 10, come home from school. They give us a great welcome and claim to remember us - photos maybe? With Josh, we take the dogs Paua and Chester down to the beach and watch the clouds building all around. Then we are introduced to Steve, Zara's bearded dragon. After a delicious venison supper we settle down in Bell Bird Cottage which has 2 bedrooms, a lounge and kitchenette. So comfortable and surrounded by plants, flowers and an orchard with many fruits - we picked lemons and

figs.

Tuesday, 20th February
We have a gentle day and don't go far apart from lunch at a local golf club with gift shop and restaurant. Again, delicious food. Jim and I take the dogs for a long walk - this time with Zac and, apart from enjoying a fine steak for supper, we just do a lot of catching up. Also, we are keeping up with the news about Gita which has affected some areas very badly with strong winds and heavy rains. Wellington suffered, Kaikoura had roads washed away and Christchurch was very wet and chilly. We were fine and had no rain at all. Lucky us, it got to 28 today.

Wednesday, 21st February
Today, all 4 of us play golf in Napier. Sandra has guests arriving so only does 9 holes and with the sun beating down we were a bit jealous but continued on regardless. Neil has only played twice in the past 5 years but got 11 pars and played like a 13 handicapper! Just a natural sportsman! We play quite well, both getting over 30 points (with hired clubs), but can't compete with Neil.
Later on, Jim and I go into Napier town on a mission. Josh is very fond of making jelly so we bought him a couple of jelly moulds and plenty of jelly to keep him busy for a good while. He is very happy.
Lots of family join us for a fish supper - members from both Neil and Sandra's side, all of whom we have met before. It was a very jolly, noisy gathering and we so enjoyed seeing them all again. We have promised the boys we will be back to see them soon.

Thursday, 22nd February
With the boys at school, the 4 of us go out for our final brunch together. Another quirky restaurant just a mile away where we sat out in the sunny garden. Back at the house Neil decanted us some honey produced by his own bees. We say goodbye and then it is off to the airport again for our flight to Auckland.