Saturday 22nd November 2025

Saturday 22^nd November

SHE SAID:

We had a busy touring day with Ang in the morning. She showed us around New Plymouth. Some of the spots were familiar to me, but it was all new for Geoff. We ended up getting pies at a prize-winning bakery & taking them back to the house. Tony finished work at midday & joined us.

In the afternoon we tackled the steep (for me anyhow) walk to the new suspension bridge to the Mt Taranaki ski fields. OMG, I was surprised at how uncomfortable I felt crossing on this bridge; that was a first for me, then of course I had to go back again! Anyhow, I made it!

From here we headed south & east to the “feral proof” area of Lake Rotokare. It is known for the bird life, of which we heard heaps, but didn’t see too many. It was a nice, though long, walk around the lake. The day was topped off with dinner at Snug Restaurant in town (funnily enough the same place as 7 years ago!). Again, it was excellent.

Whale Bridge

Kereru - Wood Pigeon

HE SAID:

Ang gave us a tour of her stamping grounds, and then we picked up pies for lunch, so all good. Our wanders around the lake seemed to drag on a bit it is a very nice place, and the feral-proofing is excellent, but 4km and two hours of the same views got a little tiresome to me. Dinner was a tasty one, with some local ales to wash it all down. The girls had cocktails, so they were happy, too.

Of course, Bazball ruined any chance England had of winning the first test against Australia in the Ashes, in Perth. They scored quickly, lost wickets quickly, and lost very quickly. It was all over in 2 days, with Travis Head taking a liking to the pommy bowlers and scoring a century in 69 balls, effectively demolishing any chance England had of winning.