Final Week in Auckland

The first main event of Monday was foot printing. Sally has a book charting Emily's first five years. A final item needed was a print of Emily's feet, a task which Grandma happily carried out.

In the evening we collected our new Kiwi friends, Debbie and Stefan Kitshoff and took them to the Mongolian Barbecue restaurant.


It is in a part of Auckland which is developing rapidly. The restaurant was called, appropriately, Genghis Khan. It is in a spacious modern building and although a little less than cosy was a great place to spend time in a relaxed way. The centre of the restaurant is the barbecue.


Being a time of Christian fellowship we started with communion using sparkling red grape juice and rolls from the soup counter.


Stefan and I had four courses. First there was a really creamy soup, second we had the fish course which was a few chips and a selection of seafood items. Then we joined the ladies for the main course. Each of us collected a bowl and put into it a selection of prepared meats and various sliced vegetables. To this we added sauces and oil to taste. For my first round I chose a recommended set of flavours, but was more experimental afterwards. The bowl was then taken to the barbecue and the contents moved around the circle until it was cooked and handed back. I found that taking small amounts that I could do this a few times, finally adding items from the salad bar.

The sweet consisted of a pancake and our friends told us to ask for a Mickey Mouse. The batter was put on a hot plate, cooked and then each pancake was decorated with ice-cream, marshmallows and sauces according to taste. 

The meal was concluded with roasted coffee.


I considered it a bargain at £15 each including all the drinks and as much as you can eat.


The very pleasant evening ended by taking our friends home and saying our good byes. My challenge will be to keep in touch. 


On Tuesday it was our final time to collect Emily from Kindy, to take her to her special lesson, for me to pick up Zoe from school, collect Emily and Grandma, drive to the dance classes at Kohimarama and collect our Tuesday snapper and chips. When I phone the chip order the assistant recognised my voice and I did not have to say who I was when I walked into the shop. Perhaps it is time to go home!


Wednesday was the day of Emily's birthday. We were summoned to come upstairs into the birthday room for the opening of the presents. It was a very exciting time and Emily was thrilled with every one of her presents, especially the big doll house for her Cindies.

I hung the second of the two paintings that I have done in New Zealand.

After the girls had been delivered to school Sally took the both of us off for quality time together. As last time we set off for Orewa. This is becoming something of a tradition and we are happy to go there. First we stopped for tea/coffee and cake. We all tasted the Banarama. This was soft cake with layers of whole banana. We did it a little walk on the beach but we faced a bitterly cold south wester.

We were taken further on to another very small seaside place called Waiwera near to where the Clarks had a farm stay holiday. Again there was a bitterly cold wind, but it had left a lot of strong ripple marks in the sand.

We stopped off at a lookout over Orewa beach before going on to the Whangaporoa peninsular. We reached Gulf Harbour which is a very smart new town area around the Wentworth golf course. Here we had lunch at the Carpe Diem restaurant. I was good and had a salad and no chips with my fish. We all had lemon, lime bitters to drink. 

On the way back to shop in Manly we called in to Matakatia Bay where there is a view of a rock which is reminiscent of a pyramid. And there are good views of Auckland from a distance.

At Manly Sally bought party food and other goodies. While Sally was shopping mum and I called in to Specsavers and the young man was very happy to replace mum's bridge piece. He started by charging $5 but then refused payment.


On the way back Sally called in to a Cheesecake shop. They look exactly like the ones in the UK.


In the evening the birthday happened. This was for family and a few special friends. The Clark's regular nanny is now back in business and was at the party with her eight year old and new born.


The cake looked fabulous.

Smashing the piñata was the highlight of the party.

The evening struck cold and I set the heater on for the first time and it was very necessary at the start of the day. The Kiwi winter is on its way.


Our bags are all but packed, I have e-checked in and we have a final meal out before our last sleep here for some time, before the shuttle collects in the morning. 


We could not have had more generous hosts nor had such a wonderful time.


The final blog of this series will be published when we return to the UK.