Orewa to Otorohanga

                                                                       Redwood Lodge

So, off down south to a town called Otorohanga, south of Hamilton, in the Waikata area. Otorohanga is in what they call King Country, which is Kiwi heartland, sheep raising and farming country. We stayed in a B&B called Redwood Lodge, run by a delightful young couple called Julie and Donovan, who work so incredibly hard to make their dream come true.

From there we had days out to various places, coming home to a great home-cooked meal - Julie is a trained chef - and great conversations with the other guests. For four evenings we had the company of Sir Michael and Lady Mary  Hardie Boys. (yes, that is their true name!) he an ex Governor General of New Zealand. What a lovely couple and so unstuffy, and full of great stories; we put the world to rights and kept each other amused, along with some other really lovely guests, from France, America, Canada, The Netherlands and...Sheffield!

                    

                     Haka taking place at the Maori Festival, or Kai, at the fishing village of Kowhia. This is where the first canoe-loads of Maori's arrived when they first came to New Zealand. We were lucky to manage to visit on the one day a year this takes place. Singing, dancing, and eating are the main activities! It was a lovely sunny day and we enjoyed the very picturesque drive to get there.

                 The women with their 'poi', which they twirl and swing in rhythm with their song.

On the hottest day we decided to take the Cave Tours, at Waitomo, so we were in the lovely cool! We went into three cave systems, with incredible limestone formations and of course the stalagmites and stalactites. Unfortunately I was unable to photograph the very best views, either because it wasn't permitted, or no flash, and as it was pitch black I could never sort my flash on/off in time! But Jim has some good video footage.

                                                     It was dark in them thar hills!

Our final visit was to the Glow Worm caves, which were incredible, but again my camera could not capture their beauty. We finished with a boat-trip through an underground river. The boat was a very basic tin model which rocked alarmingly, and the tunnel was pitch black. Our guide stood on the prow of the boat and guided us through by pulling on a system of wires looping across the tunnel roof. Everyone was silent, and it was quite magical. There were very large eels in the water, and one plopped up at the side of the boat.....all in the silence. Was it my imagination, or did I hear someone muttering "my preciousssssssssssssssssss!"

                    Our Maori guide in the glowworm caves. Sadly, his name was Steven.

I have some more photos of our time in Otorohanga which I need to upload and write a post for, then I promise you I have some STITCHERY photos and news! We are now back at Kit and Krisssies, enjoying a last few days before our return to the UK. I read this morning that snow has returned especially to Scotland the east coast of England, that'll be us, then! Deep joy!