The upper part of the North Island has really lived up to this epithet this week. We’ve had two months’ worth of rain in a few days, causing flooding, traffic woes and power cuts. There hasn’t even been a gleam of sunlight through the clouds. Aucklanders are hardy people and go about their business wearing raincoats and steering their umbrellas into the wind. But we’re all longing for some sunshine to warm us up and dry us out.
Today is Waitangi Day, New Zealand’s national day and Aucklanders celebrated in magnificent summer weather. The bays along the waterfront were packed with picnickers, swimmers, paddle-boarders and kayakers. I wandered along Tamaki drive enjoying the views of the sparkling water and people watching. It was lovely to meet up with friends. I even had an ice-cream cone! A perfect summer’s day.
… in magical Raglan. I am staying in our generous friends’ beautiful bach and sleeping in the upstairs bedroom with its breath-taking view. I haven’t been closing the curtains and awoke this morning to a stunning scene – grey-blue water rippling with the incoming tide, whirling sea birds and a pure white yacht circling the harbour. Today was the kind of calm, blue-sky, turquoise-sea day that made up all the summers of my childhood in my memory. I walked up from Manu Bay to the look-out point in Bryant reserve (you can see the edge of the platform in the pic above). I sat there so long and so quietly that the cicadas in the bush around me resumed their song. One even alighted on a blade of cutty grass right beside me. The sound of summer. It would have been perfect if I had walked back down to meet my beloved coming out of the water after an epic surf and we’d shared breakfast at the Shack in town. But I’m here without him alas. The Shack’s coffee didn’t disappoint though!
I am heading back to Ipoh in a few days and will miss everything about being in Auckland – my family and my friends, the coffee, food and wine, the walks and the birds, and the changeable spring weather. It will be hard to leave but wonderful to be reunited with my beloved. If only I could be in two places at once!
Auckland’s weather is famously changeable but never more so than in spring. I’ve just dashed out in pouring rain to grab the towels off the line when 10 minutes ago they were drying in bright sunshine. Yesterday I drove over the Bombays into the Waikato and marvelled at the spring green of the trees in the sunshine. Having arrived in Hamilton and sitting in a cafe drinking a coffee with friends (and very pleasant it was!) I looked out the window to see horizontal driving rain. But when I drove back the sun was shining again. I know “four seasons in one day” drives Aucklanders crazy especially when planning outdoor activities. I, however, am enjoying the weather – it is a welcome change from the relentless heat of the tropics.
When you live on an island, you are never far from a beach. I took a walk along Bucklands beach (south eastern Auckland) the other day. It was overcast, calm and warm. It reminded me of all the reasons I love the beach – waves (very small ones created by the passing ferries and boats), sand, sounds and sky. I walked to the end and gazed for a while at Rangitoto (the volcano in the pic above). It was a serene interlude in an otherwise busy, somewhat stressful day and I felt the better for it.
The clouds are low and the rain is dripping down in Auckland today. The weather matches our mood perfectly as we mourn the loss of our beloved uncle. He passed away peacefully yesterday and we are all very sad. However, he had a long, productive and happy life and we will be celebrating that this coming week. So grateful that we are in Auckland with our family and friends.
This is the Hauraki Gulf in the middle of summer. I know it doesn’t look like that now. It’s grey and cloudy and the low lying islands are obscured. Nevertheless, I miss it and can’t wait to be back in Auckland. I’m even looking forward to the cool weather and rain on my face! Till our next trip home, we’ve got six weeks of tropical heat and days lived mostly indoors.
We watched the sun rise over Ipoh from half-way up Kledang hill. Having tramped up hundreds of steps to get there and sweating profusely despite the early hour, it was relaxing to sit still and enjoy the view – the lights of the city, the blue hills of the Cameron Highlands in the distance and the streaky clouds getting brighter with the rising sun. Once the sun was up, we walked further up the hill into the jungle, which to me always feels like a reward after the rigours of getting there. By the time we got down to the bottom, the temperature was already in the early 30s and all we could think of was a cool shower.
Back to high temperatures, to one’s shirt sticking to one’s back, to being covered in a film of perspiration almost all the time. It’s uncomfortable. I went out for a walk at 6.30 a.m. It’s not so hot I thought. But by 7.30 when I got back to our flat, I was flicking the sweat off my forehead before it could run into my eyes. Did I mention it’s uncomfortable? I guess I’ll adjust given time but on balance, I’d rather be in Auckland!
Travels from New Zealand 