Fast flight to Auckland

It only took three hours to get here from Melbourne with a tail wind and soon we were checking into the Copthorne with a harbour-view room. The first thing you notice is hardy Kiwis in shorts and thongs while tourists huddle into their jackets against the wind. I'd looked up the weather before we left and noted temperatures in the low 20s and 80% chance of rain so we have raincoats with us. The wind dropped a bit in the evening and we were able to eat outside at one of the restaurants along the pier with a view of the water. We are partial to water views.

Sunday 11th March
All we had to do was drag our suitcases across the road and we were at the ferry terminal for Waiheke Island, then a short smooth trip across the sea to Matiata. A bus was waiting which we took to Oneroa for lunch and a reconsideration of transport options. It took about five minutes to decide we need a car. So back to Matiata on a bus. Buses are cheap and frequent but to see anything you need your own wheels. The car-hire man was a fund of information: the island is 23 kms long up hill and down dale, there are 8000 permanent inhabitants, 4000 weekenders and in January 20000 visitors - only about 4000 at the moment. I'm glad we chose March in spite of the drizzly weather. It's a favourite wedding venue and many of the visitors are here for that. Some permanents commute to Auckland for work.

I chose Bayview Cottage off the Internet for its name and yes - it has a wonderful view. It's halfway down a precipitous slope: you leave the car at the road then plunge with your luggage (thank goodness we've only got one case each) down a grassy glassy slope to the house. The sea is a "5 minute nature walk" for mountain goats on down the mountain to a dear little bay with a couple of yachts bobbing at anchor and a shingle beach.
David inspected the oysters growing there but having had bad experiences with oysters in the past there's no way he'll eat them.