Holiday - part two
As I write this on a sunny Sunday afternoon, with a gentle breeze blowing in through the ranch sliders, the temperature in the room is a cosy 25C, in the roof space it's 41C. It is also the last day of our two week holiday. We are off to see the new James Bond film later, and then go out for a meal or get a take-away, depending on what we fancy.
We have been away this week - four nights at Katikati Naturist Park in the Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the north island, about 150km south of where we live. While packing food and necessaries on Monday morning, things did not look promising. It was raining, and the forecast for the rest of the week was showers, rain, rain and showers.
The rain density varied on our drive down. We stopped in Takanini to have a look at a Lockwood kit-set show house. We liked it, and many of their designs, very much. We hope to build something like it sometime, and Lockwood may get our business, but are only the first company we have looked at. We stopped in a couple of provincial towns for administrative purposes, and arrived at the Park about 4pm. We ferried our stuff from the car to the chalet in the rain and did most of the unpacking. About 5-ish I went for a wander (suitably clad in water-proof jacket) around the park, with instruction from she who must be obeyed (the younger) to investigate how much the pool table cost. When I discovered it was free, I hot-footed it back to the chalet to impart the good news. A quick couple of games promptly ensued, followed by all of us stripping off to use the wonderfully warm spa pools which though outside, were under the cover of a vine-clad pergola. We wallowed for a while, returned to out chalet, ate, played Mah Jong and went to bed, accompanied by one of the worst storms the area has seen in quite a few years (apparently).
Tuesday was an overcast morning when it started, but this didn't last as the sun started to work its way through. Shopping was done by those who must be obeyed while I sunbathed and swam and was busy doing very little. The day turned out to be warm and sunny, to be followed by gloriously warm and sunny days for the rest of the week, though we did have some more heavy rain during Thursday night. Wonderful things weather forecasts.
So, overall we had a lovely relaxing time. Much sun, sunbathing, swimming spa(ing?), sauna-ing, pool playing, mini golf and table tennis tournaments. We are all blessed with low levels of skill at these games which really adds to the amusement. The Park was also a great place to be. All the facilities are free, it is very peaceful and relaxed, has a river running along one edge and extensive planting of native trees and ferns. The chalet was a little basic and only had one bedroom, but we had everything we needed. On Tuesday evening, Nicky's brother Andrew came up from Tauranga and had dinner with us. It was good to see him again and he was looking well.
On Friday it was really hard to pack, put clothes back on (for me anyway) and leave, but we had had a very good time, and plan to return again in the future. It is about a 2.5 hour drive (non-stop) from home so is close enough for a weekend visit.
We are all back to work next week, Claire especially as she is working almost every day, including weekends, from now until Christmas.
Rick
We have been away this week - four nights at Katikati Naturist Park in the Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the north island, about 150km south of where we live. While packing food and necessaries on Monday morning, things did not look promising. It was raining, and the forecast for the rest of the week was showers, rain, rain and showers.
The rain density varied on our drive down. We stopped in Takanini to have a look at a Lockwood kit-set show house. We liked it, and many of their designs, very much. We hope to build something like it sometime, and Lockwood may get our business, but are only the first company we have looked at. We stopped in a couple of provincial towns for administrative purposes, and arrived at the Park about 4pm. We ferried our stuff from the car to the chalet in the rain and did most of the unpacking. About 5-ish I went for a wander (suitably clad in water-proof jacket) around the park, with instruction from she who must be obeyed (the younger) to investigate how much the pool table cost. When I discovered it was free, I hot-footed it back to the chalet to impart the good news. A quick couple of games promptly ensued, followed by all of us stripping off to use the wonderfully warm spa pools which though outside, were under the cover of a vine-clad pergola. We wallowed for a while, returned to out chalet, ate, played Mah Jong and went to bed, accompanied by one of the worst storms the area has seen in quite a few years (apparently).
Tuesday was an overcast morning when it started, but this didn't last as the sun started to work its way through. Shopping was done by those who must be obeyed while I sunbathed and swam and was busy doing very little. The day turned out to be warm and sunny, to be followed by gloriously warm and sunny days for the rest of the week, though we did have some more heavy rain during Thursday night. Wonderful things weather forecasts.
So, overall we had a lovely relaxing time. Much sun, sunbathing, swimming spa(ing?), sauna-ing, pool playing, mini golf and table tennis tournaments. We are all blessed with low levels of skill at these games which really adds to the amusement. The Park was also a great place to be. All the facilities are free, it is very peaceful and relaxed, has a river running along one edge and extensive planting of native trees and ferns. The chalet was a little basic and only had one bedroom, but we had everything we needed. On Tuesday evening, Nicky's brother Andrew came up from Tauranga and had dinner with us. It was good to see him again and he was looking well.
On Friday it was really hard to pack, put clothes back on (for me anyway) and leave, but we had had a very good time, and plan to return again in the future. It is about a 2.5 hour drive (non-stop) from home so is close enough for a weekend visit.
We are all back to work next week, Claire especially as she is working almost every day, including weekends, from now until Christmas.
Rick
Comments