Wellington to Marton

We had a great crossing from Picton to Wellington on the ferry on Friday - sunny and calm and on schedule. We didn't linger in Wellington and just started heading north stopping to admire the views along the coast, looking out to Kapiti Island.

First Mate's arrival into Wellington

The Interislander (not ours)

In Paraparaumu it was really nice to make a surprise visit to Noelene and John who moved there only a week ago from Tauranga and are already very organised with Noelene even having lovely baking on hand. I was also pleased to be able to see Annette, very briefly, at work.
18 holes of golf at the 9 hole Kapiti Course was next - very friendly, welcoming members and they were happy for us to stay the night which we did as darkness was approaching by the time we finished playing their nice course which unfortunately for me had drains crossing several fairways! We had a great shower in the morning - voted by us as the best golf club shower in NZ so far - nice and strong.
Saturday morning we popped in to see my niece Penny, Matt, son Elliot and 7 week old baby daughter, Violet, right on Te Horo Beach where they have just moved to from Wellington. Such a fantastic spot and we can see that they love it there - great for a growing family. Yummy chicken & salad sandwiches there too - thanks P& M!
We had intended to drive on to Marton from there but got waylaid by the Foxton Golf Club which is on the main road and where we hadn't played before. So it was out with the clubs and another round on our 1st 18 hole course for a while, joining a few of the young local lads for a drink at the 19th before settling into the special grassed spot they have for overnight motorhomes.
It has been plethora of golf since arriving back in the North Island and as they all have showers we are especially clean! Yesterday we played at the Rangitikei Club out of Bulls, a course that Len especially likes to play on, and today we played at Marton, a course that I especially love, and where my mother used to play. My brother Rodger, and Margaret, joined us halfway round which made a nice change for us to have company.
We had stayed the night in the farm paddock at Margarets and she cooked us a lovely lamb roast with delicious veges which were several steps up from the Picton RSA veges!

It was a fun night with her, Rodger and Margaret's daughter, Briar, and grandson Leo. Or it was until I broke the crystal candelabra on the table when I stretched across for the water jug! Oh dear, it wasn't meant to be that much of a smashing time but luckily Margaret is very forgiveable!

It has also been excellent to catch up with my other brothers - Bob and Judy, and Peter while we have been in Marton - the time has all gone too quickly but we have to get a move on to reach Tauranga by Wednesday as planned.