Beach and New Car

On Sunday Ian and Sally took Zoe off to swimming lessons, followed by breakfast and special Early Learning Centre shopping. Mum and I used the buggy to take Emily down to the beach. She became very excited when she saw the playground; so much so it was difficult restraining her - and it would be one of those moments when traffic was heavy.

The beach was in full use. A large group of children were having their fourth surfboard lifesaving class.


After her time in the playground Emily spotted the beach. She was bit miffed when we would not let her simply jump off the high grassy bank on to the beach. However, as soon as she got on to the beach she spotted the sea. She made a bee-line for it with mum in hot pursuit. The sea edge is still lined with sea weed from the recent storm, but mum found a clearer space near the rocks.


The sea was really busy. Further down the bay a large group of people were in various stages of swimming to Rangitoto and back and there were many boats of various sizes in view.

We regrouped for a really nice lunch and after lunch it was time to get the new car.

We knew that this week was going to be difficult for Sally, but we had plans. On Friday Ian informed us that it was going to be difficult for him to help. The solution was that we had a car, leaving both of them free to come and go as they needed. Ian came up with the idea of using air-miles to hire one (if you remember the Subi is off the road at least until Wednesday at the earlist). So, Sally and I went off into town. We did not realise that the Saturday street jazz festival had been transferred to Sunday in Mission Bay, causing a slight delay.

The centre of Auckland City is strangely quiet on a Sunday and all the car hire places are in one area. The hire was speedily carried out and soon I was following Sally on detour of Mission Bay route in a rather nice red Mitsubishi Lancer.


Another good meal, prepared by Ian ended a pleasant, if half stormy weekend. The only trouble being that I went to bed itching madly due to insect bites we think we picked up from the pond side at Monterey Bay. They still itch even now.

Beaches

Saturday and Sunday were beach days.

On Saturday morning we went off to St Heliers Bay beach with Sally and the girls. Emily generally kept awat from the water, but Zoe could not get in far enough.

On Sunday Ian took us with Zoe to Piha.

St Heliers is on the east coast and Piha is on the west coast at the other side of the Waitakere Mountain Range. The sand is shelly at St Heliers and it is generally calm, whereas the west coast has black sand made from volvanic rock and the shore is constantly pounded by waves. A sea mist hangs near the ends of the bays and surfers find this to be paradise. many bachs hang off the mountain side.

Zoe was more careful about the sea at Piha and spent time digging into the black sand.

The Beach at Piha

After our morning we headed back. We stopped at a cafe / restaurant in the mountains. The food was plentiful. The starters were meals in themselves. The place was called 'Elevation' and the view across the forest and city was spectacular.

View From Elevation Restuarant

On Saturday afternoon Ian and I went off shopping. A huge box of Tomy trains which were supposed to be $300 were on sale last week for $200. On Saturday they were $100. That is £30.

We also bought two sets of curves to go up. We had a rough go at the weekend. Today I have rebuilt the track. I now want somebody to explain why; whichever direction you put the engine on the track it always finishes going the same way. That is; if you pick up the engine and replace it facing the way in which it came, when it comes back it is facing the way it arrived in the first place.

Tracks plans are going - at a price.