Eirever

bed count: 42

The water was pretty murky whilst we were at the marine reserve, which meant no glass-bottom boat trip or snorkelling. Still, on our last day there Alec took me out horse riding on a nearby beach, which was just beautiful. It was also a complete surprise as Alec has never been riding before and doesn't list horses amongst his favourite animals.

Still - we both enjoyed it and neither of us fell off. Also got to see race horses being trained by being tethered, three at a time, to the back of a pick-up and driven along the beach...

Anyhow - now at Eirever. And I have to say that bed 42 is probably the best of the bed count so far. Granted, 4 nights on a sleep mat in a tent and any real matress is welcome, but they sure treat their Wwoofers well here.

Dave and Jackie live on a 10 acre block which they run as a pets garden of rememberance, and it is a pretty stunning place. The garden has been lovingly developed over 25 years and there is artwork in every nook and cranny. Very, very beautiful and peaceful.

The plot is on a hill, so we're getting plenty of exercise. Yesterday morning we worked on a new flight of steps which will give you a really good view of one of the sculptures from the kitchen window. This morning we were demolishing a windbreak between the upper and middle ponds (which are filled with waterlillies, ducks and dragonflies).

Other than that we have been feeding the ducks and their many ducklings and exploring the garden a little and trying to choose a favourite piece of art (I will take photos at some point an you can choose your own favourite).

Also been up to a big beach not far from here (which I am not going to attempt to spell the name of without a map infront of me) which has a very large gannet colony and a huge stretch of black, volcanic sand. It's one of the beaches you fly over on your way into Auckland, so it was pretty cool to see it from ground level.

Had another kiwi experience last night. Dave and Jackie are certainly feeding us well and we had 'corned beef' for tea last night. No - not the stuff out of a tin, but beef soaked in brine and boiled like a ham. In fact, it tastes very much like ham.

Off for an exploration of the North Shore in a bit - apparently there is a British shop there where you can buy cheesy wotsits!