Today dawned cool and cloudy. We we sure it was going to rain, so we set off for for Muriwai with warm clothes. By the time we got there - about 40km northwest on the coast - the weather was gorgeous - warm, sunny, blue skies. That's Auckland for you! The purpose of going to Muriwai, which is a lovely place in and of itself, was to see the gannet colony. Very exciting...beautiful birds...there were still some lovely fluffy chicks being fed and stretching their wings. The colony started out on a little island off the coast, but grew and grew and then took over a steep cliff island barely off the coast and is now making its way up the mainland, displacing a colony of grey-backed terns. What a sight!
Muriwai is basically a tiny summering place with the famous black sand beaches northwest of Auckland. Rolling waves make it a haven for surfers. Once again, there is very little sign of human habitation....just miles of beach.
We had lunch at a local cafe and then head back to Auckland for coffee with Karen. Here is an overexposed photo of Ross and Karen (I flicked the camera onto the wrong setting - it looks more like a studio photo!!! - in fact, all the photos from today are washed out - silly me!!!) I don't have any other photos of people at this point - they are all on other peoples' cameras.
Now it's time to pack and get ready to leave tomorrow. Coffee with Wayne in the morning, then the airport for 11am. The week has flown...very sorry to leave, but at least this time, I can say: "See you in 3 months!!".
Dearest Elaine, love your photos. Glad you got to do the sailing!!! We visited the campus of Chatham University yesterday. It's so pretty. I was class of '62 and this is the first time back! Visited my old dorm room which was Andrew Mellon's master bedroom but now is the office of the president. Today went up the Duquesne Incline to get fabulous views of all of Pittsburgh. Having lots of fun with Jess and D. Neat restaurant last night...Piccolo Forno...Neopoitan Cucina. Tomorrow off to Falling Waters and then down through West Virginia and on to brother, Peter's home in North Carolina. Freek'n cold here. Looking forward to warmer weather. Jon says he had to put on his air conditioning yesterday...Oh boy, oh boy!!! Hope we don't run into black ice tomorrow...we'll be careful. Love and Ciao, Bill and Julie
ReplyDeleteHey, Love, Bill and I had to scrap our plans to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water Home in Mill Run on account of there is a killer winter storm hitting the mid-Atlantic States and, I guess the Northeast. So...we cancelled the tour and left Jessica and D's home at 6:30 am this morning and drove all day to my brother's home in North Carolina. We got here a little after 5 pm and imediately dove into the Kettle I. Oh, my god, what a day. There was a lot of traffic heading south. I think many people had the same idea: beat the storm. Anyway, we were welcomed warmly by Peter and Anne and now we can relax. So great to hear from you; thanks! Enjoy your relatives in South Africa. Miss you bunches. Love and Ciao, Bill and Julie
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