Cheese and Ale Day

On the 13th we woke up to a dramatic sky and watched a small liner sail into Napier harbour.

Having cleared up we made or way south leaving the family behind. We were to find out later that we really left them behind. Their flight home was cancelled. How do you cope with two infants in a small airport. At least they slept on the plane home.

Our first port of call was a cheese factory. It wasn't that brilliant and after morning coffee/tea we departed Napier in the Camry bound for and Wellington.

Next on the itinerary was the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka on H2. One Henry Wagstaff (1836-1911); an English rouge stopped at the spot where the brewery stands and made himself a cup of tea. It was the best cup of tea that he had ever tasted so he decided to settle their and brew beer.

The Tui adverts are amongst the funniest I have seen and the visit was fun from the beginning; starting with a glass of Tui bitter which mum enjoyed as the picture shows.

Even a visit to the toilet was fun. The fittings were converted barrels.

We were fortunate to turn up on the one day that they bottled the beer. Our guide grabbed more bottles off the belt. It is true that such beer tastes the best.


So, having grabbed our 'STOLEN FROM TUI BREWERY' beer glasses we set off down the SH2.

The road over the mountains was an adventure. We should have pulled in for coffee. It would have helped with the drive in Wellington.

Wellington is a very compact city with a complicated one way system.

Once more the SAT NAV failed us. We set it for 120 Lambton Quay; the address of Lambton Serviced Apartments. Even though the SAT NAV lady said 'Destination on left' there was nothing to be seen but a Bureau de Change. Having passed the destination the lady directed us to the right. First we went back north on SH2, then back around the one way system. At this point I decided to switch the lady off and turn left. A parking space presented itself and I watched as the meter moved to 6:00 and all $4 of parking. Ten yards from this spot was the reception for our stay. Having registered we were directed to the across street car parking.

This not the end of the story.

Here at last. The journey took 8 hours.