Saturday and Sunday

Typical that Jon had his best night's sleep when we had to get up!!

We were up and ready for collection by 9.00 and David, owner of the cottages, came and picked us and another couple up.

We arrived at the airport and checked in in two minutes and then David drove us back into the town and we went and had a coffee and a chat in a bar, so different to other airports!!

He took us back to the airport at 10.00 just as our plane was landing. We boarded the plane and we were off early. We had a lovely take off and I could have got some lovely photos of the island but the air hostess told me I couldn't use my camera. I have never been told I can't use a camera, such a shame.

I managed to watch the rest of the film I started on the way out and we had a lunch of chicken casserole and a glass of fizzy.

I finished the film and pulled up my blind and we had just flown over Cape Reinga (northern most tip of NZ) and I missed it, so clear and I was so mad with myself. However the rest of the flight down into Auckland was good and we had clear views of 90 Mile Beach.

We landed and were out with our cases in no time and went to customs. I had collected some pumice stone from the beach and had checked the web page but could not find any restrictions on it but thought I had better declare it as I didn't want to be on Border Security. they said it was fine and we went through and were out and across to the car 30 minutes after touchdown!

The drive back was really busy as there was an event in one of the towns on the way and there were thousands of motor bikes/ I am not surprised they have to pay more road tax they ALL drove like hooligans and overtook on double yellow lines, I was glad once we were back.

We stopped into the supermarket to get some stuff for a bbq and then went to get Totty. She looked really well and did not have the awful rasping she usually has through too much barking so we have booked her in again for Easter but I haven't told her yet!!

We got home and the house was roasting and the temperature outside had touched 30 on the way down.

The plants were OK but some were dead. I just wonder if our neighbour worries about using too much water. The tomatoes are finally turning red.

We unpacked and put the cases away and I got one load of washing done and hung out.

We had dinner and then sat and watched TV. It is nice to be home..

I start my diet tomorrow as I have put on weight since Christmas and the holiday hasn't helped!!


WEATHER Sunday
Sunny and warm on Norfolk. Really hot in Tauranga 29 degrees

SATURDAY
Another lovely day on Norfolk Island - the locals actually say 'Nor -folk' like two words.

We had breakfast and I got some packing done and we went into the town to get a few things we needed and I finally managed to track down some guava jelly that I had been told was very good. There is not much to bring back from Nor'folk as they don't make much here so guava jelly is a good one. We also managed to buy a copy of the weekly newspaper which is not like a newspaper at all, it is stapled pages of A4 paper with all the weekly goings on of the island and the population and how many tourists are around. There have been around 500 during our week but we haven't seen them around, I have no idea where people go everyday as it never looks busy.

We went out to the Bumbora Reserve and down onto Crerswell Bay beach which was lovely. There is a lot of pumice coming onto the beaches at the moment and they don't know where it is coming from. I collected some pieces to bring back and after checking the website could not see anything that says I can't take them back to NZ. I will declare it though as I don't want any trouble.

We saw the only bit of vandalism today and that was the door of the emergency telephone down at the beach had been broken off. I suppose it could have been in a panic to call for help though?

We got back to the cottage and had lunch and spent a couple of hours reading and it was so relaxing and peaceful.

I decided to go off to the beach but Jon didn't want to so off I went again in the car and had a couple of hours down there. I had thought it might be busy as it was Saturday but it was much the same with just a handful of people. It did cloud over a little so I left after my last swim in that beautiful water.

We finished the packing and had a cup of tea and read a bit more. I am really enjoying the Fifty Shades books now.

We decided to go to the Servicemen's Club again, the place we went to on our first night. It is just over the road and the food is good.

I had Thai fish curry and it was very tasty but it also nearly blew my head off!! Jon had fish and chips and it was once again very good.

Back to the cottage for another early night and off home tomorrow. I have enjoyed it but a week is quite long enough and I don't know how people can come back year after year?

WEATHER Saturday.
Sunny morning and then light cloud in the afternoon.