A Few Days Away - Part I

As regulars will know, I have had a week off work to take a short break with my wife. Originally, we were booked to return to the Air B&B in Havelock North, where we spent a few pleasant days back in early November, however, the recent destruction caused by Cyclone Gabrielle called for a change in plan, so instead of Hawkes Bay, we headed back to Taranaki and the small west coast city of New Plymouth,

We left around 830am on Monday and arrived at our destination in the early afternoon, with enough time to fit in a couple of short bush walks before booking into our motel.

Morning coffee/lunch break at Te Kuiti and this interesting Maori carving in the main street

The first walk, only a few kilometers inland from New Plymouth

The weather turned rather wet while we were on this walk and we were glad of the waterproof jackets, as well as the shelter provided by the tree canopy!

I think you can just about see the rain on the surface of the river above.

By the time we reached our second walk, only a few minutes later, the rain had ceased and the sun had emerged again.

I took this image as a reference for future horse painting exercises - note the fly proof head coverings the animals are wearing - I have never seen this type of covering before. 

Walk number three was basically along the bank of a small stream through the suburbs of New Plymouth

It emerged onto the west coast and a view of the Tasman Sea

After a visit to a supermarket to stock up on a few home comforts for the four day stay, and a quick shower and change of clothes back at the motel, we headed into town for dinner at an "Italian Inspired" restaurant on the main street, by the name of "Bella Vita". 

I had an excellent marinara dish chock full of prawns, calamari and mussels, washed down with a glass of chianti - molto bene!

After dinner, we had a stroll along the nearby seafront, where I spotted this plaque...

,,,,and took an obligatory shot of the sun setting in the west.

Thats Day One completed - next post will be somewhat longer, with significantly more images of the local scenery - you have been warned!