Visiting Leigh’s parents

Today we visit Leigh’s parents about an hour and a half’s journey towards Auckland. It is Leigh’s Dad’s 87th birthday tomorrow and we are unable to be with him then because we shall be away in Napier.

More beautiful countryside to view all around on the way.

We stopped at the Dam at Mangakino where I photographed an old steamboat.

Although this was still rich farming country, the terrain became increasingly rugged and there were areas of huge rocky outcrops and some of these were actively used for rock climbing.

I was delighted to meet Leigh’s parents, a sprightly couple living in a small retirement development with beautiful panoramic views. Leigh’s dad had been rushed to hospital a few weeks earlier with a suspected stroke and a seizure but he was now safely home and had made a remarkable recovery. Although his short-term memory is a bit shaky, he has retained his wonderful sense of humour.

We spent a few hours chatting and looking around the gardens which I must say were beautifully cared for.

Then we returned by a different route so that Leigh could show me some more of the varied New Zealand countryside.

Benneydale really pulled out all the stops for the World Cup by creating representative players for every country taking part in the Rugby. These were bigger than life size and suspended high up at intervals right through the little town. Here are a few…

While on the subject of iconic statues, I saw quite a few more today. Otorohanga has the Kiwi but currently dressed appropriately for the World Cup! A large apple in front of a cafe in Waitomo, An enormous concrete sheep shearer in the sheep farming town of Te Kuiti, this has to be my favourite so far; oh and of course the huge fish at Taupo Lake.