Today was wonderful. We started off at 10:00am by taking a 15min ferry to Devonport a village renowned for its restaurants, art and craft boutiques the Royal NZ Navy base, 2 extinct volcanoes, beautifully restored kauri homes built in the 19th century and Pohutukawa trees. These trees produce a red flower and apparently at Christmas they are beautiful. There were a few flowers still left. They call them the NZ christmas tree. From the ferry we walked to North Head Historic Reserve built in 1885 with tunnels,gun emplacements as well as brilliant views over the gulf. We explored the tunnels from the beach level then further up where the hidden guns were kept. We hiked to the top which was very windy and chilly but the 360 degree view of the Haruki Gulf and outer islands made up for it. Then we hiked back down to Cheltenam beach and walked to the end which lead us back eventually to where we started. This took 3 1/2 hrs by now I needed lunch and time to explore the numerous little shops. We found another lovely cafe and had a 2nd great lunch -most unusual for me to enjoy two meals in a row! The NZ ice cream is to die for.... I would have needed a day to enjoy all the different little shops but managed to buy a few things. I was all set to go back on the ferry when Kevin reminded me we still had to climb to the top of Mt. Victoria the volcano I was not a happy camper going up by now it was hot and sticky. When we reached the top I was trilled the view was amazing. It was once again very windy so I went into the crater and lay down to feel the heat from the sun it was perfect only when I tried to get up my back hurt I had to crawl up not a pretty sight all I could do was laugh. This is a long wk-end called Auckland Day the kids return to school on Tuesday they have been on holidays since 1st week of December. Summer is not officially over until March 1st The weather has got much warmer with higher than normal temperatures forecasted for next 10 days which is great for us as we head south to Wellington tomorrow. Our stay in Auckland was short but lovely. Mary Rose
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