It was a long drive from Stratford. 300km and a couple of stops meant we arrived just after 3.30pm to be directed to room 5 of 12 in a courtyard of car spaces (1 for each room). Each room named, ours being the CHB Press Suite (CHB = Central Hawkes Bay).
Again well furnished but slightly falling short of the previous accommodation but that was a tough act to follow.
We had plans for visiting Napier (about an hours drive) to see the capital of Art Deco for New Zealand, so after sorting ourselves out with food, we settled down to watch TV… (actually seeing New Zealand being well and truly beaten in the third day of the third test cricket).
We made our own breakfast and loaded the car and set off. The sun wqas shining with no sign of clouds, so it was time for shorts again.
We arrived in a central car park and ventured around the city and were absorbed with building after building that demonstrated the real ‘art deco’ themed design that has been so recognisable icons in the last century.
The camera was snapping skywards as the skyline attracted my attention every few steps. The sky-blue backdrop was ideal for the different colour schemes that paraded before me.
Whilst walking around part of the shopping precinct we heard, then observed, the results of an elderly ladies attempt to ram-raid a fashionable dress shop. We assumed she engaged reverse in her automatic instead of drive, and the result of her mistake had caused and one of the pillars was demolished.
Fire engines arrived to add drama to the event. We didn’t stop to observe, but turned a few corners and ended up talking to a resident of Palmeston North about life in New Zealand. His father was in Napier in the early 30’s repairing the buildings around us. His wife joined our conversation briefly and headed off to the next fashionable dress shop! and we bid our farewells.
We were due back to the car park (2 hours limit) and re-parked the car on the sea-front and had a picnic. Then we drove off to Hastings, about 12km inland, for more exposure to art deco buildings.
We drove back to our motor lodge and did the laundry, shopped and after a short rest had tea. Other residents at the motor-lodge started to congregate outside our door. There was a BBQ which was being fired up by the owner and there were some fisherman arriving, as well as a couple of others who were sat at the table, who after the meat had been cooked devouring their meal in the rain. I went outside to observe and admire their determination to eat in the rain (under a large parasol).
One guy turned out to have just returned from living near Sevenoaks in Kent for the last 10 years, working in the meat trade, alongside his colleague Jean Michael (from France) who were wheeling and dealing as we spoke. There was a container full of meat in north france waiting for transportation. But they took time out to share their experiences on NZ culture and history, sport and other related topical issues as well as their bread and special sheep cheese! Meanwhile I was being fed with some venison burgers that the owner had been hunting for. We stood and chatted as the rain ceased for around an hour. The India cricket team had beaten New Zealand in the meantime, but we didn’t make an issue of this. It was time to clear up and head back to our respective rooms.
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