Report almost written and so a quick bus trip

After spending the last two weeks devoted to my computer trying to get the first complete draft of our project report done, finally made it at 6pm on Friday - so a quick meal and we were off. The first night we stopped at the Gulf Harbour parking lot by the boat ramp. A grey morning, but very still and the fishermen were out in droves. After a leisurely start we drove up through Wenderholm for lunch, and on to a great little patchwork shop in Kaiwaka "The Apple Basket" where the applique and embroidery on this prizewinning quilt reminded me of the beautiful work Diane does.

Afternoon tea at Mangawhai with my brother and his wife and then Peter thought we might go up to Kerikeri and see his brother. So off we went, stopped in at the Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa - unreal having a toilet as a tourist stop - but they are quite unusual!! Tiles, glass, bottles in to the wall and even some stained glass!

After parking over night at Bill's place and admiring his almost totally self sufficient garden we headed back home via the scenic route. Through the BAy of Islands, Paihia foreshore beautiful in the sunshine this morning, then over on the Opua car ferry and in to Russell for the lunch stop.

Carried on driving round past lots of beautiful beaches, the one in the photo is Oakura, and through the hills to Whangarei.

After a pretty straight run down we made it home by about 6pm, a long day - possibly too much driving but Peter enjoyed catching up on all the family news ( although most of it seemed to be who had died!)

I am off to Australia tomorrow with Peter to join me in about 10 days. Be good to see the family again.

Gosh, not long till Christmas - just a bit more work and I will be a lady of leisure! Well almost.