Wellington

Suzie arrived a day earlier to visit a friend, John Caz and I flew in on the Monday morning flight.  With Cyclone Gabrielle causing havoc and destruction in New Zealand Wellington was the only place you could fly into.  As a result all international passengers were boarding planes to Wellington, which made for a full flight and a little delay.  The flight over was non-eventful apart from the chatty American that was going to the loo in front of me in the queue and she decided to strike up a conversation with everyone on her way.  As per usual I had left going to the loo to the last minute.  I mean seriously do you have to chat to everyone and share where you are from, they just made eye contact out of politeness and they have to pause their movie to listen to their tales of diversions!  You will be pleased to know I made it without any accidents.

After going around the block, we found our apartment which was one of those that photogtraphed well.   BUT it was in a fab location at the top of Cuba street so we were within walking distance of the cool and trendy part of town.   Cyclone Gabrielle was also pushing high winds (gusting 120kmph) and lots of rain.  We decided to just "get awn with it" the saying for the holiday and put our golf wet weather gear on and went around Windy Wellington.  We did take brolleys with us, but they were mainly used as walking sticks.  Some photos below.

When you are "just getting awn with it" you find fun things to do in the rain.  Golf at Paraparaumu was cancelled as it is a coastal links course and we are not sure that Caz and Sue would stay earth bound with  120 Kmph winds.  So we decided to give it a miss.   Despite Caz'z repeated hints to go to the Fear Factory and the Escape Room - we went to play Pebble Beach on the Golf Simulator instead.  This was at a place called Birdies and Brews - trust me there were no birdies, but some good fun and Suzie decided that her swing didn't suit simulator golf!   Seriously, I couldnt hit a ball straight and we often chipped or putted over the green.  But very welcoming Kiwis and a lot of fun,  the 2 hours to play 9 holes went so quickly - we didnt even get to the scenic part of Pebble Beach!  If you go off Gross Scores, Shaz was the winner.  Off Nett Caz was the winner. We went to the Te Papa museum, John and I waited for Sue and Caz, as we had been to the museum not that long ago.   I ordered the lunch and got a coke, which I had to self serve, but I couldn't get the bloody fridge door open.  You know how fridges have a vacuum seal, I kept pulling the handle - even tried the fridge next door, no joy!  Until the lady at the check out counter yelled over - just stick you hand in.  Yes there was no door, it was an open front fridge.  ooops.

Back home via scooter for most.  We may have made an error - we introduced Caz to the world of electric scooting (Sorry John), if you do not know Caz there is no 20mph it is either 0 or 100, no in between and this applies to anything that moves, golf buggies included!  It was a lot of fun, even though it was raining and it felt like I had hail stones pelting our face as I was trying to keep up with Thommo (who has to be in front) and Caz (who has to go at the fastest speed possible) - there was no place for sensible Shaz to meander checking out the view.

Caz also discovered her bell, so she was ringing it whenever anyone was near and making the whole of the Wellington neighbourhood turn their heads.

We also had some sombre moments watching the news and seeing the devastation and casualties of the Cyclone.  Overnight a state of emergency was declared and Hawkes Bay (which is our next stop) was right in the middle of all the devastation.  The road was closed to Napier from Wellington, so even if we tried we couldnt get there.  Cape Kidnappers Golf Course was closed, so we couldnt plan.  It was time to "just get awn with it" and come up with a Plan B. 

We had one more day in Wellington and the weather forecast was grim.  BUT, next morning we woke up, after it had rained the entire night and called Royal Wellington - which is where we were due to play.  They said it wasn't raining, but no-one was playing - feel free to come whenever.  No carts of course.  So off we go on our little golfing adventure with real golf balls, real rain and where Suzie can do her bump and runs!  We had a FABULOUS time, no rain, I played really well so I was happy.  I think after cancellations and course closures you get to appreciate the time you have.  Royal Wellington was so welcoming, the course was fab and I won - life just doesn't get better.  But still a little black cloud hanging over me - wondering what we are going to do?  Then a man (we assume the Royal Wellington Mens Club Captain) came and asked us how we enjoyed our game.  We told him about our Napier leg and he suggested we go to New Plymouth.  

I tried to bring Taupo forward, hoping that we could still get to Napier but that wasn't possible.  So New Plymouth it is.