Saturday, August 7, 2010

AOTNZ tour Kerikeri & Waiheke

Had a great day yesterday playing tourists. We visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds & House & soaked up a bit of history. Feeling culturally and historically enlightened we smugly returned to Kerikeri to set up at the fabulous new Centre complex. Chef Terry organised pork chops for dinner and we duly recited our now-semi-automatic repertoire to the assembled citizens who would have numbered about 50 I guess. Most enjoyable evening and back to the cocrete block motel for an early night.

Off at 7.30 after poached eggs on toast and drove through shocking weather to arrive in Auckland about 10.30 - pretty good going apparently. The GPS took us straight to the ferry terminal at Half Moon Bay to check in and there was time for coffee, soup & the Herald before embarking at 12.30. Safely tucked up at Briar Ross's Matiatia Estate with cups of tea & her own lovely olive oil. Looking forward to the gig at Morra Hall in Oneroa.

Andrew


Thursday, August 5, 2010

AOTNZ tour Coromandel & Whangaroa

Great night at the Coromandel Bowling Club and returned to the Jacaranda for an appointment with Mr Jameson. Wonderful breakfast from Robyn and we were on the road early for the long haul to Whangaroa. Six hours and almost constant rain. The river in Kaeo looked about ready to burst it's banks and we just had time to set up at the Gamefish Club, check into the Sunseeker, catch our breaths and get back down to the venue to have a meal and kick off again. The Whangaroa Marina was opened in 1997 by Hiwi Tauroa and another bloke with the splendid name of Tarzan Hori.

Great crowd and an early finish. I met up with some rellies and stayed out at their place while T & J retired back to the Digs. Met up again this afternoon at the Kerikeri Motel - the boys had spent some time with Ray Woolf and Billy Christian in Mangonui (SP?). We've had a terrific dinner at the Curry King and are all enjoying a night off before the final assault.

Andrew


Monday, August 2, 2010

AOTNZ tour Tauranga & Kauaeranga

Mills Reef fabulous. Treated like royalty by Jan & her team and there were
oysters once again. Derek had done a superb job in generating a crowd and we
also caught up with Graham Clark from Brilleaux. James drove us up to Thames
next morning and we managed to find Eric & Nancy Zwaan's house deep in the
Kauaeranga Valley, just past the old Hall. Eric built the house out of 'cob', a
mixture of mud, clay & straw I think - very cool. The Hall was filled with about
70 locals, all getting stuck into the mulled wine. Home by about 10.00 for an
early night....lovely not being in a concrete block motel. Nancy made us a
spectacular breakfast of omelettes & home-grown sausages and we lit out for
Coromandel.

Stopped just outside town at a roadside seafood place - had pots of mussel
chowder & T bought some oysters. Just arrived at the fabulous Jacaranda Lodge
and off to set up shortly. Sold out at about 70 tonight apparently.

Andrew