Although the weather had cleared on Tuesday 26th Feb 2019, it was still cool and windy when we left Gisborne, and Wellington did not promise much better. Heather had stressed that Pat did not want a late night, so we dropped our bags at the Airport Motel and splashed out on an Uber which proved highly satisfactory, and we arrived at the Thai Restaurant before them. the meal was very enjoyable, and then we got the No 2 bus back - sooo cold waiting for it, but it stops just by the Motel.
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Hard to get a picture with them all looking good.
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On Wednesday morning we caught the No 2 bus back to Heather's and picked up Little Red Colt. It's in for a shock tomorrow - driving so far! That'll blow the cobwebs away - quite literally! The odometer reads 3639km - all completed within just on 10 years!!
We called at the Reserve Bank to cash in my old NZ coins. When I said I had One pound, 13shillings and 4 1/2 pence he laughed and said he could not exchange that immediately - they will lodge it in my bank account within 10 working days.
Off to Te Papa where we spent an hour at Te Papa looking st the Terracotta Army of the Qin dynasty of 221 - 206BC. The workmanship and scale of production is just phenomenal.
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| A Soldier with lavish armour |
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| Showing the back of the armour done in terrecotta |
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| The horses would have been yoked together with a wooden beam which has rotted out |
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| The officials - not soldiers |
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| This has been reconstructed to form a whole chariot and team of horses |
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| The weight of this armour was 18kg - definitely only for ceremonial display - made of small squares of limestone. |
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| A spirit to lead you to heaven..... |
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| .....and if you get hungry on the way you can have some nice pork! |
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| Notice the leather reins have rotted out |
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| This maiden is noteable because there is some coloured pigmentation on this terracotta form |
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| This army of men had articulated wooden arms and silk clothing, but are now exposed! |
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| The short Qin Dynasty was followed by the Han Dynasty. |
We turned up quite early to the ferry terminal - and Little Red was in illustrious company as she was surrounded by Vintage MG cars - a few veterans too I think.
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| After a poor lunch at the terminal we were off to go below on the boat. |
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| We had to be careful of the old cars - each side needed to be unlocked and the doors swing backward to open - with no support. |
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| All we can see ahead is the big trucks.... |
but soon we make our way out into the setting sun, and we pull the sun visors down with a cascade of cobwebs
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| An example - in the door hinges |
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| Outside motel at Camping ground in Picton. |
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| Tapas Meal |
We walked around the Marina to the restaurant to a Tapas Restaurant - served 3/5 wrong tapas to start with but we enjoyed it all the same.
On the Thursday the 28th we set off. Little Red took to the open road with great gusto, and Duncan was pleased with how easy it was to drive. We stopped at Havelock for breakfast and Duncan chose salmon sausages and mushrooms.
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| Little Red takes on "Big Chill" - an articulated truck, makes 120km/hr with ease. |
Heather has not been able to get the key yet, which is a bit frustrating, but we met her at the Suter Art Gallery. Then she and Duncan empty the potplants out of the back seat so all of us can go out to lunch at Fossil Ridge Winery. They grow their own Macadamia nuts there - but not very expertly, and many on Beaumont, which we just use for rootstock.
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| Is the roof alright? |
We do a little wine tasting at Richmond Plains Winery to fill in the time. After many texts and phone calls the key is finally deposited in the back shed and we go back in to look around.
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| This herb garden will need to be chopped back!! |
The garden is small but a bit overgrown, but with a heap of potential. Lots of good areas for outside seating or table and chairs
The inside looked a bit bare without furniture (arriving the next day) so I didn't take any photos. And there are probably a few inside projects that Heather will want to tackle in the coming years, but its a good solid start!
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| "Welcome to my new house"!!!! |
Duncan drives us to the Airport and we hand back the keys to Little Red - and Heather texts later to say that she has successfully navigated her way back to her motel. Mission Accomplished.
We fly back to Wellington and go to Oiko's for dinner. It has fabulous Greek food and the gentle strum of the mandolin and guitar makes it an interesting place to dine. I am watching one posh young Wellington couple enjoying the food - suddenly the woman lifts the serving plate and licks it clean!!
Next morning we fly home after this whirlwind tour - but looking forward to revisiting when all the furniture is in.
