We are in Auckland, the big city. From our air B&B we can see the Sky Tower. Well, Lynn can from her bedroom window. To the rest of us, it’s obscured by a very large oak tree. Lynn’s view of the Sky Tower today is, err, limited by the low cloud cover and unfortunately, the very persistent rain.
We are a hardy bunch and we are on a schedule so a bit of rain isn’t going to stop us.
We’re off – suitably attired for the weather conditions.
We are going to see the city and surrounding area on the hop-on, hop-off bus.
We are away. All got window seats for a good view…..Unfortunately not a great view for taking photos when your bus window is covered in rain. This is an example, not at art shot, tho I do like all the coloured shipping containers.
Suffice to say, photos were at a premium.
Having toured the city for 2 hours and given some fascinating facts by the automated tour guide, we hopped-off the bus as it was Tea and cake time. After which, we were back on the discovery trail. First stop, Parnell to see Windsor Castle!
The New Zealand one, not the one in Windsor. Bit of a let down in comparison but good beer.They don’t like to leave anyone guessing here. Holy Trinity Cathedral….With the old original cathedral next door. And the other side of the Cathedral, a new office block with the tree left intact! Would have been chopped down in the UK.The girls in discussion about one of the above 3 buildings. Not sure which one but Julie is in full flow and excited…The Domain winter gardens glass houses.Julie inside the glass house (to dry off). Auckland Sunday School – Now a great music shop.
Wet and a bit bedraggled, we went home. It’s a big night tonight as we were having dinner at the Sky Tower, where we caught up with my RYS media assistant Paul and his good lady wife Debbie.
Be prepared for lots of Sky Tower Pictures…
The gang reunited.The ‘Sugar Club Girls’On the observation deck.The view down from the glass panel in the floorAnd up a bit higher to the sky deckWhere it was a bit cloudy. So we went down to the dining floor to eat. It’s a revolving restaurant so the view is constantly on the move.Also, don’t put your handbag on the window sill or you will have to wait about 40 minutes till it comes back around again. The Vero building is where Zoe works.Paul getting his steps in by walking along with us while we are on the rotating bit. Didn’t take long before he was knackered….and in need of a rest.
The nice lady serving us asked if we were there for a special occasion. Paul was straight in with ‘I’ve retired’! She ignored him. Diane tried to explain that we were celebrating hers and Stuart’s daughters marriage, which was a bit lost in translation and ended up with a cake for Diane and Stuart…
Happy Couple – not newly weds but 40th anniversary later this year. Now I though they would save it for Zoe and Michael, but they had other ideas
After some excellent food (and a lot of wine) we left the Sky Tower to meet up with the real newly weds Zoe and Michael…
The Sky Tower by night….And they had bought the lovely Kate with them. Here we all are in a bar – no change there then!
Michael and Zoe had been to drop Michael’s family at the airport for their trip back to Ireland. We wish them a safe and speedy journey and thank them for the warmth, friendship and love they showed us, over the all to few days we spent together. Happy travels xx
Batham Life 
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