Week 14

Sunday 19th February. At home! I went into Four Square with Rob. Still humid. The cicadas are very vocal and some of them make a clicking noise. I love sitting out on the deck and hearing them. Monday 20th February. I've had a painful couple of spots close to my left armpit. They were quite inflamed so I decided to go into the medical centre and try to get an appointment with the nurse. Coast to Coast medical centre is the group I saw last trip, in Matakana, and they had me on their computer ! No need to make appointment, nurse saw me after a short wait. She was baffled and said should see the doc. Made appointment for me half an hour later! Good service Mathesons Bay Mathesons Bay . Saw doc, said bacterial infection and gave me prescription for antibiotics. Very efficient. By then it was going on for 1pm so I bought fish and chips to take home for lunch. Hot day. I went to bridge 6.30-8.30 at the club, pleasant evening. Tuesday 21st February. Day out day! Realised we have been here all this time and not been back to some of our old haunts. So we set off at 10.30 am. Stopped off at the library in Mangawhai first then drive to Matakana via Pakiri and Leigh. Road up from Pakiri to top of the hill is still gravel and and partly single track. An " interesting" drive! I remember the first time I drove it, quite a few years ago now, I was terrified! Had lunch at the Black Dog in Matakana. Matakana hasn't changed a lot, still very touristy and busy. We have stayed near there on our last two trips so must have spent about nine months there in all. Drove back to Mathesons Bay where we got the chairs out and sat in the shade reading and watching the waves from time to time Mathesons Bay Mathesons Bay Story! . I had taken swimming togs with me but it was far too rough for me to attempt to go in. Strange as it's usually a very calm place. I had to content myself with just a paddle today. I felt quite sad and nostalgic thinking of the many times we had been there with Danni and Jonny when they were younger. Memories of them playing in the little river that runs into the sea and is such a safe spot for little ones. Then on to Goat Island one,of my very favourite beaches. Not today though! The tide was in so not a lot of beach and far too many people! Last time we were here it was midwinter and we had the beach to ourselves apart from the cormorants and seagulls that is. We shall go back at the end of March when it will be quieter. Back down the gravel road and on through Pakiri and some beautiful countryside. Driving here there is always a stunning view around each corner. So much greener now after last weeks rain. Unfortunately I missed the turn off to Mangawhai and ended up in Wellsford! Oops. Had to go back down SH1 and turn off to Mangawhai a few kms later. A good day out and good weather, less humid thankfully. Wednesday 22nd February. Cards in the afternoon. It starts at 1pm so mornings always seem a bit of a rush! Had a very good afternoon, I was partnered with Margaret and we had a really good laugh! Thursday 23rd February Goat Island Goat Island . We were hoping to see Danni on Sunday but had a message this morning to say that she couldn't come. She has been selected for a 10 day voyage on the youth training ship "Spirit of New Zealand" and sails on Sunday. Disappointed we won't be seeing her but for the best of reasons. It will be a fascinating and challenging 10 days for her. We left at 11 am to go to Warkworth. Traffic lights and queue on the Dome due to reselling the road. Met Rob for lunch at Ginger. Then N and I went to the Riverside for coffee. Did shop at New World. Called at Warkworth Riding, stables where I have ridden and spent many hours over the times I have been here. A quiet afternoon for them so we were able to stay and chat with Roger and Heather for a good hour. They encouraged me to go for a ride and offered me one free of charge. How could I refuse!? I'll go when it cools down, too hot and humid for me to ride at the moment. It will be good to ride Zoe again and go for a gentle hack round the beautiful countryside. Got chip on windscreen driving back up the Dome. Lots of loose chippings. Later in the evening Rob came up to say that he will be picking Jonny up tomorrow evening and bringing him back for the weekend. As we were chatting we could here bangs and when we looked out we could see fireworks. We stood on the deck and watched a magnificent display, it seemed to be from a boat out at sea, which lasted a good five to ten minutes. Longer and more spectacular than the fireworks we saw at Pahia on NYE. Friday 24th February. Wen to the library after lunch, another jigsaw! Then to the beach. I had hoped to go in the water but there were a lot of waves, too many for me. I did sit at the waters edge though and let the waves wash over me. Rob and Jonny home about 7.30pm. Jonny and I played cards. Saturday 25th February. Rob to work. Jonny slept till 10am. Went down the beach. I walked and paddled. N read. Jonny bored! Bacon sandwich for lunch cheered him up! Played cards again. Rob home. Rob and Jonny went down the beach for Jonny to do some rock fishing. He had a few bites but no catch. I cooked roast pork and we sat out on the deck until dusk.