Week 11

Sunday 29th January. Another beautiful day. Clear blue skies but with a bit of wind. Rob suggested we go to the Mangawhai Tavern for lunch. We haven't been there yet so we're very pleased to go. Www.mangawhaitavern.co.nz It's situated at the waters edge and was established in 1865. Being a holiday weekend it was busy but we were able to get a table in the courtyard, in the shade. Lunch was good and the beer was good, we shall return! Very hot so back home to relax and keep cool. Evening chat, the three of us, on the deck until dusk. Once dusk starts to fall the biting insects make a beeline for me! Monday 30th January Mangawhai Tavern Mangawhai Tavern . Public holiday today. Rob was off, early, to go fishing with Greg out of Sandspit. A hot day. We stayed home. Rob back 4ish, no fish. He reckons the water is not yet warm enough. So I cooked beef. N and I went down to beach. Tuesday 31st January. We went up to Marsden point, south of Whangerei, to visit the visitor centre at the oil refinery there. The only oil refinery in New Zealand. Very interesting. Then drove back to Waipu. Not a lot there in the food line so we just had a pie from the bakery. Then went to visit the museum. Waipu was settled by Scots who had come, via Nova Scotia, after the Highland clearances. Still a very strong Scottish tradition there. They hold a Highland Games every New Year which is attended by people from all over the world. On the way back stopped at Waipu Cove. Beautiful beach. Had a relaxing hour there before returning home. Wednesday 1st February Spent a few minutes watching a covey of Californian Quail, through the kitchen window, foraging on the neighbours lawn at the rear of our house Waipu Cove. Waipu Cove. . They are small, plump birds and have a curly crest. Quite a few young amongst them. Afternoon at cards. Another pleasant afternoon and I think I'm improving a bit! Played with Len as partner against Sue and Tony. All three are deaf! Len plays well,but often forgot what suit trumps were. Thursday 2nd February. Didn't have a good night, was awake for a couple of hours, reading. Went back to sleep eventually and woke at 10am! Hot day. Went to Warkworth. Lunch at Riverside as usual. Browsed the charity shop and found a sweatshirt. Also a kilo of home grown tomatoes for $2. Hope they taste better than the supermarket or even market ones. Cashier gave me a club card and I got $10 knocked off the bill. Didn't know I could have one before. Cloudy evening, rain forecast for tomorrow so fingers crossed! Friday 3rd February. Very damp and some drizzle but no "proper" rain. Went to library in the afternoon. Down to beach after tea. Saturday 4th February. Sunny and warm again. Waitangi weekend so it will be busy again. Went into market in Mangawhai. Rob back 3ish. He left 4.30 to go to Auckland, meet up with Danni and go to see Guns'n Roses at Western Springs. He put some photos on FB, 50,000 people there ! Glad I wasn't there!