Goodwin Avenue, Waiheke

A 40 minute ferry across the Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island is like the Isle of Wight transported to the tropics. Cow parsley on the grassy verges mixes with wild blue and white agapanthus; and rolling green hillsides echo to strange birdsong. It's all absolutely lovely. 

It's also quite sizeable, so we hired a car. Kevin and I have had many happy hours driving around places, sightseeing (one reason we knew we'd enjoy motorhoming); and this was no exception. After lunch in a pretty little hippy/ chi chi seaside town (a very attractive combo), we planned to drive to the nearest play park; but as Jemima fell asleep, instead Kevin and I drove across the island while she snoozed. Vineyards on the hillsides, jungly narrow tracks, and astonishing sea views around every corner. We even found the Pioneer Cemetery, with the graves of some intrepid early settlers (the earliest being 1886) and their horribly young offspring ("In loving memory of Colin Dudley, who died 20th Jan 1916, aged 10 months").

Then our delayed visit to the play park at a little beach just off Goodwin Avenue - it was meant to be. Jemima did her usual hugging approach to befriend other children, then she and Kevin built sand castles, before we all enjoyed some beach races. Then a stop at a Thai with a view for dinner before catching a late ferry home as the sun went down, Auckland's lights twinkling on the horizon before us.

At the play park we met a Norwegian family now resident on Waikeke, and I can see the appeal: it's stunningly beautiful, with good weather and a vibrant island community. If it wasn't the other the side of the world from friends and family, I could move there myself.

(Will add more photos tomorrow, it's been a long day and I'm knackered.)

 

The ferry out:

 

 

 

Lunch:

 

 

The ladies in the gelato hut were wearing t shirts that said, "without gelato there would be darkness and chaos":

 

 

Driving around:

 

 

 

 

 

The Pioneer Cemetary:

 

 

 

The beach at Goodwin Avenue:

 

 

 

 

Dinner with a view and more ants in your pants:

 

The ferry home: