Pooling Around

Wednesday

Mark and his parents were up early to pick Cerine up from Tauranga airport. Just like N&C, she arrived on a twin-engine puddle jumper that she dubbed a "Fisher-Price" plane due to its 1-and-1 seating configuration. It was so small, she had to check her carry-on since it wouldn't fit in the overhead bin. Carver is still getting used to driving on the left and judging his distance to either side. Norma had to get out of the car to retrieve our parking stub from the machine, and again for us to exit.

Cerine was duly impressed with the view from N&C's digs, then came over to say Hi to Sherry and Ro. She mostly just took it easy this morning, venturing down Maunganui Road to do some window shopping. Like N&C, she was shocked at the price of everything. We've gotten used to it, but NZ is frickin' expensive, and not just because of the currency conversion. The same cheap crap from China that you can get at Wal-Mart in the States costs three times as much here.

Cerine can now measure her hair in Ronans

Sherry took Ro to school, and the rest of us gathered at N&C's place for a light brekkie. As we ate tea and toast, Carver fiddled with his laptop, searching the internet for local panel beaters and auto parts stores. Sherry has unwittingly given him the perfect gift: a car project - something he lives for back home. Intently focused on his computer screen, he said referring to Pilot Bay, "If a freighter goes by, let me know, 'cause I want to get a picture."

Sherry came back from Ro's school after helping the class with story-writing (which she does twice a week), and Norma cooked us omelets for brunch. The cloudy morning was becoming nice and sunny, so we ventured out to show Cerine the beach and the Mount. Carver didn't have his camera with him the first time we took that walk, but made sure to bring it today. We walked out to Moturiki Island, where Mark clambered down the cliff onto the jagged rocks off the tip of the island to the "blowhole," so named for the spray of water that shoots up there in rough seas. No one else was too interested in risking their neck on the treacherous rocks, other than a lone fisherman, but the location did afford a pretty cool view of Mauao.

The girls on Moturiki Island with Mauao in background

Looking back up at the gang on top of Moturiki Island

Mark at the blowhole

Enjoying the view

We took a somewhat blustery walk along the main beach to the Mount, where N&C wanted to take a closer look at the tide pools that Norma and Sherry had seen yesterday. We saw plenty of mussels and barnacles, a few tiny fish, a few crabs, and other assorted critters. It was getting late, so we headed back to The Anchorage. The girls walked ahead, while Mark strolled with Dad, catching up on all the news from home. Norma and Cerine stopped for postcards, and Sherry went on ahead to pick up Ro from school. Carver stopped at the One Tree Bakery to pick up some coffee and treats for afternoon tea.

Walking hand in hand

Ooooo, what is that?

I'm cold!

Sea anemones

Tide pool crabs

Look! I finally found a starfish!

At the base of Mauao

When Sherry got back with Ro, the first thing he wanted to do was watch the King Kong DVD that she had rented at the library, one of his favorite movies. After a few minutes, Mark talked him into going down to the pool to burn off some energy, and Norma joined us. Norma and Sherry's relaxing soak in the spa tub ended when Ro got in to warm up after swimming with Mark in the big pool. His splashing games were growing more...um, "enthusiastic," and the ladies decided it was probably time to go up and start dinner anyway. Craig and Barnaby came down a few minutes later, so Ro had a willing playmate to splash around with.

Soaking away the afternoon

Craig runs for cover from Ro's splash

Dinner was a hit with everyone, even Ro! The girls made fettuccine alfredo, with steamed veggies and sauteed shrimp (for the carnivores). Barnaby came over afterwards and he and Ro sat on the couch perfectly still, captivated by King Kong (Barnaby had never seen it before).

THAT'S gotta hurt!