Weekend adventures

It's the long weekend and a chance to escape the Naki. After a week of fine sunny weather woke on Friday morning to rain which got heavier during the morning. School was a busy day with the mentor programme interviews and I was fortunate to have mine over with by lunchtime.  A wet drive to Auckland arriving at Stephanie's in time for tea. Fish and chips on the foreshore brought back our childhood memories of this treat.

Saturday after attending Aqua Zumba at Cameron Pool, we went to St Luke's for one thing and ended up with several others as only we can do. After a muffin and coffee we drove to Hamilton for our tour and high tea at Zealong.

Tea ceremony.

Arrived at Zealong about 2pm and waited for our tour to start. Very nice sitting in car, as sun is shining. Tour started and it was just us two. Sophie our guide was very informative and keen about the tea estate. Interesting how the tea is growing in the Waikato region and the actual Zealong estate has only been in operation for six years now, they produce 20 tonnes of tea per year with 60% going overseas. Our tea ceremony was fun but the first tea tasted like grass the young man who joined us commented but it did get better on the second infusion. High tea was fabulous with a wonderful array of savoury and sweet dishes with the venison meatball, chicken wrap and white chocolate with tea infusion my favourites. A walk back down to the car, phone call to Stephanie's brother and we were on our way into Hamilton when the heavens opened and the wipers were going full steam ahead.

Calling into Neville and Barbara-Lee's we ended up staying for a bbq tea. Very nice and tried to sort out the commission for the tattoo referrals for Thomas. 

A drive home with some rain once we got into auckland. A very successful day with shopping, exercise, socialising and being tourists all covered.