S is for Sailing in Mercury Bay: sea and just a little bit of sunshine and seasickness too

No one could resist the call of the sea and we went out on a catamaran for a sunset sail around Mercury Bay.

The easterly wind made for some lumpy seas but the cat was tacking as smoothly as it could. Smoked mussels and a drink, all sounds idyllic but my usual queasiness out to sea was a constant companion.

But we laughed. And the scenery is a joy.

R is for Rock Formations: Cathedral Cove, Coromandel, New Zealand

The must-see attraction on the Coromandel Peninsula is Cathedral Cove.

The approach is from a charming little town called Hahei along a 40 minute coastal trail. The rain held back, it was a moody morning but that did not stop us going to experience the huge arched cavern, nor did it stop a steady trail of visitors either.

The arch is remarkable and it joins two lovely, secluded coves, white sands and crystal clear waters. The view through the arch to the imposing rock is quite breathtaking. I will now need to hire the movie, 'The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' is it was filmed at Cathedral Cove.

Enjoying our time at Cathedral Cove

Beautiful Coromandel coastline along the walk

Meadow at the start of the coastal trail to Cathedral Cove, good spot for our coffee too

F is for Whitianga: pronunciations are an ongoing challenge for me

Bird life along the water's edge

The past two days have been wild and wet, driving us indoors.

Today's weather, however, cleared and warmed up too. Enough for Fred and Craig to get in a round of golf.

Fred and I ventured into the light drizzle early this morning to walk along Buffalo Beach, named after the ship, HMS Buffalo, that was shipwrecked in the harbour after dropping off prisoners in Australia and then came to collect wood from New Zealand.

We are located at a bach on the hill above Whitianga and have 180 degree views across Mercury Bay and it is a treat to watch the ever changing light on the water.

I am no closer to getting my tongue around the Maori place names, and Whiti seems to be Fiti...either way it is very beautiful place.

The evening light is just as special, the beers are out, the gas braai is going, corn and mushrooms prepped, life at the bach on a good evening.

Gorgeous skies from the bach.

Q is for Quilts: meeting the Coromandel Quilters

Quilt Show, Coromandel Quilters.

I dragged the gang to a Quilt Show in Coromandel Town this morning. The Coromandel Quilters group exhibits annually, has about 30 members and do a challenge each year.

I chatted to Sharleen, in her early 80's, a very productive quilter and she had a Kaffe Fasset quilt on show, a pattern I have done too. Hobbies are timeless and the women are a mirrow image of my group back home.

A post for Carousel Quilters ; friends for more than 20 years, a wonderful group of women that are special to me and we make quilts that family and friends appreciate.

W is for Weta: New Zealand creepy crawlies

"Wētā have been around long enough to see dinosaurs come and go and to evolve into more than 70 different species, all of them endemic to New Zealand."

A weta in our bach!

Stick insect, 15 cm!

Seems to be the season to find some of the New Zealand 'specials', the notable Weta, strange and just a little prehistoric. This one had snuck into our bach here on the Coromandel and gave Shawni rather a fright.

And a brown stick insect that is huge but anorexic looking, the largest insect in New Zealand, with forever long legs, which landed up on the outside neighbour wall in Ngaio.

T is for Top Ten: New Chum Beach rated as one of the best in the world

Secretive and remote New Chum Beach

So this is what one of the best in the world looks like.

The access to the remote and secluded New Chum Beach, an hour north of Whitianga, is along a rocky promenade before cutting across a headland, the vista then opens out and it is stunning.

It could be Fiji, Bali, Thailand; turquoise water, white, fine sand, huge Pohutukawa trees provide shade along the beach edge, cliff faces drop almost into the sea, and an offshore island for interest, nesting rare New Zealand Dotterel's, gannets overhead, sea temperature quite moderate....

But the story of the day is Fred. He saved a little 6 year old girl from sure drowning, she was getting dumped by the huge incoming waves and getting dragged out at the same time. He was the only person who noticed, so dived in and lifted her out the water, one shocked mother and traumatised little girl. Our homegrown hero.

Pizza's at an idyllic beach kitchen called Luke's, started our New Year countdown, and 2016 will have many reasons for celebrations and for gratitude for life's riches and treasures.

B is for Barefoot on a beach: Cooks Beach, Coromandel Peninsula

Cooks Beach and Lonely Bay from Lookout. Coromandel Peninsula

As I walked barefoot along the firm sand of Cooks Beach, kept company by the Red-billed Gulls, I watched the New Zealander’s at play on their summer holiday here in the Coromandel Peninsula: boating, sailing, fishing, tubing, kayaking, wind-surfing, swimming, snorkeling, flying kites, making sand castles, playing beach games, skim boarding, body boarding, paddle boarding, running, or just lying on the beach sun tanning with a book.

To get to Cooks Beach we took the Ferry across the Whitianga Harbour, the trip only a few minutes long but it saves hours of driving, then we walked the 3km to Cooks Beach, past Flaxmill Bay. A fine, hot afternoon and the family had no problem braving the cold sea while I walked the length of the beach.

The views from Lookout and Shakespeare Cliff on our walk back across Mercury Bay were dramatic, the beaches and the rugged cliff faces quite beautiful.

Ah, and salted caramel ice creams at Espy Cafe, people watching….

C is for Champayne Pool: thermal wonders at Wai-O-Tapu

After Yellowstone National Park last year I was curious to see how I would experience the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland near Rotorua.

Nature is so strange and remarkable that I was completely taken in by the colours and in awe yet again. 

Champayne Pool is extraordinary, the bright orange rim around the pool in such contrast to the grey of the sinter edge. The steam wafting off the pool changes colour too, picking up the pink and yellow hues surrounding the deep, gentle bubbling water - so like champayne bubbles.

It was hot, the sulphur odours quite oppressive as we did the 3.5km trail around the park, burping mud pools, hissing fumeroles, and mostly very peculiar coloured pools - lime and avocadogreen! 

Champayne Pool from the viewpoint at Wai-O-Tapu

T is for Tramping: the Northern Walkway, Wellington

From Wiki: 'Tramping, known elsewhere as backpacking, rambling, hill walking or bushwalking, is a popular activity in New Zealand. Tramping is defined as a recreational activity involving walking over rough country.'

Today we set out tramping along the Northern Walkway. Our walk started in Johnsonville and we set out traversing the hilly crests and gorges to eventually end up at the Lady Norwood Rose Garden in the Botanic Gardens, at Picnic Cafe, where we devoured Cajun Chicken Burgers which were yummy, a distance of 12km.

Tramping the Northern Walkway

Well I certainly discovered that tramping is tough going, steep ups and steep downs, endless sets of stairs and even on the short sections in the suburbs the roads have tortuous gradients!

The route took us through the green belts that shape and define this scenic small city with its big reputation, Lonely Planet has described Wellington as the 'coolest little capital in the world'.

And it is!

The glorious views of the bay and the CBD along the walkway kept us in awe, as did the deep blue sky, the deep pink of the flowering foxgloves, and the ferns with their huge fronds and curly koru's.

View of the Beehive, the executive wing of Parliament from the Town Belt section of our walk

B is for Boxing Day Sales: Lambton Quay shopping

A treat, Peter Alexander Boxing Day sale for pyjamas for all

We shopped until all four of us were exhausted!

And I loved it too, except Craig, nothing fitted or suited him. The rest of us handled the crowds along Lambton Quay in downtown Wellington and the stores were deeply discounted, which makes the effort worth the return.

Shawni and I headed straight to Peter Alexander, a brand and store that I first experienced in Auckland when we were here in New Zealand for the RWC in 2011. It has been on my to do list ever since. I came out with bags of sleeping attire, t-shirts, tank tops, pants and even Twinkle Toes slippers.

I think I could love this Boxing day tradition, especially when Fred surprised me with a belated Christmas gift, a Kindle Paperwhite! So thoughtful and so special. Thank you again.

W is for Wellington Cable Car: a ride to the Botanic Gardens

Wellington looking so fine

The Wellington weather has been perfect, warm sunny days, clear skies, no wind and the views have been breathtaking, so we headed downtown to take the Cable Car, which links the city with Kelburn, as the Cable Car lookout has stunning views over Wellington. And it did not disappoint!

The Cable Car is charming, the ride short and very steep, the tunnel was twinkling with Xmas lights and it was a reminder of four years ago on our first visit to New Zealand.

The stroll through the Botanic Gardens, which were established in 1868, with Shawni and Craig, along the Downhill Path back to the city was a treat, Fred delighting in capturing the gorgeous blowsy blooms, roses, irises, lilies and the seasonal displays.

The summer in full bloom indeed.

Summer blooms at the Botanical Gardens

W is for Walking: a brisk climb to Mt Kaukau for expansive views

Wellington from Mt Kaukau

We started the day with a short, but steep climb to a high point in Khandallah, Mt Kaukau, for remarkable vistas across Wellington, the CBD, Wellington Harbour, and across Cook Strait to South Island which was clearly visible, we could even see a snow capped peak in the distance.

A perfect summer day, light breeze, big blue skies, good way for Shawni and Craig to start their summer holiday.

T is for Tui: a New Zealand native

The Tui, is a New Zealand endemic that has flourished and survived and thrived despite urbanisation and all the issues the other endemics have experienced here.

They have entered the consciousness of everyone in New Zealand, more than any other bird and they are a brand all of their own!

Their droll snow-white feathers on the neck are called poies and give me a thrill each time a glimpse them. The hind neck is ornamented with filamentous plumes, the tui's chortle and chuckle and then break out into amazing song. They can look black but their colour is a shining metallic green with bluish purple reflections on the shoulders.

What a treat to have them in the garden, along our morning walk, I am back in New Zealand when I hear the Tui call.