Easter Fun at the Mount

We got an early start on Good Friday to head up to Mount Maunganui where we had "Book a Bach". We  guided Simon and Jackie to our spot, and Jackie had gasped at all the old Bach stuff which is quite sort after now such as the Mc Alpine Refrigerator Jug. I was more taken with the teapot with the tea cosy of knitted pansies! Their bedroom was a bit squashed with Theos bed in there too, but we managed to cope. Jackie and Simon headed off for a quiet lunch and left Duncan and I to adjust to the continual talking by Theo, including that hardy perennial "Why?"

 The weather was warm, but what we hadn't counted on was the fact that the water was also warm. I didn't put my togs on, but got plenty wet anyway.

 Theo showed great confidence and even the odd time he got bowled over by a wave he seemed to get up with only a minor look of surprise.

Bring on the surf!!

I love this picture of us both waiting for the wave!
That night it was my turn on cooking, so it was kebabs, rice and veges, with a less than succesful (but had potential) cake.
Next morning Simon and Jackie took the kayak out in the harbour while Theo, Duncan and I built sand castles. There was a cruise ship in so a continual stream of people walking up and down the boardwalks along the shore. It was quite cold, but by lunch-time it had warmed up quite a lot. We went to Tay Street Cafe, and had soon colonised enough tables for all of us - Carla and Rodney, Rachel and Paul, Me and Duncan, Simon and Jackie and Theo and Lyn. The food was pretty good, but Simon got very hot in the sun. So this afternoon I put my togs on to go to the beach. The water was still very warm.

 We played lots with  balloons which you blow up using a pump and then stay afloat for quite a while, but we had a few fly over the fence to the neighbours. Theo was philosophical about it.

 The agony of trying to tie your shoe laces

 He actually got the first bit right.

Hot cross buns with Grandad.
Simon and Jackie on cooking tonight - pasta with bacon and chicken.
Next morning Simon and Duncan went to play golf. Jackie and I checked out Spotlight, but it wasn't open - what a shame they didn't say so on their website, instead of "4 Day Sale" which sort of implied that they would be. We came back and wandered up town for morning tea , I bought a necklace, and then went to the park where Theo swung for a very long time. So we were quite late when it came time to go to the beach and the wind had got up so soon Theo was shivering. We went to the Hot Pools - Duncan uses his Gold Card for OAPs there. Unfortunately Theo didn't want to get out of here and there were a few tears as we exited!

 After a bit more balloon playing it was off to an Indian Restaurant for dinner - very good food, especially the Naan bread.

 Next morning it was time to pack up and give the bach a thorough clean so that we got our bond back. Didn't manage to catch up with Carla again - even though she was in apartments just over the road. Just time to take some family photos before we left.

 I had to go to Spotlight as there were things I wanted to get for Market Day. We don't have a Spotlight in Gisborne anymore which is a great shame when it comes to all those craft things.

 Simon and Jackie headed off for home, but I was allowed a half hour shop at K and K at Bayfair which I was able to use to pick out 2 tee shirts, a cardi, a vest for golf and a snood! Well, who can blame me with 30% off all new season stock.

Then we went out to Jill and John Thurston's bach at Papamoa (yes I know they only live at Te Puke). We had lunch with them and then a drive around Papamoa. The Papamoa road I used to know (11kms long) was just dotted with baches, but now it is full of flash houses and several streets deep. There is a huge population of mainly permanent occupiers, a couple of schools and several shopping areas. On the way home I started to feel a sore throat coming on. Its laid me low for a few days now. I just can't keep up with these grandchildren! But it was lovely.