Fogg and I flew into Auckland yesterday and having adjusted our watches twice by 3 and then 2 hours forward felt totally zapped. Despite having flat bed seats on the plane we had only had time for a few hours sleep and had been constantly disturbed by turbulence and some fluid snoring from down the aisle! Our hotel had harbour views and we were delighted to be able to sit on our balcony on what was a balmy evening watching some serious yachts come into the marina. Auckland is the biggest city in NZ and amazingly is home to early a third of the population. We will certainly spend some time exploring the city, today just time to find the bank, somewhere to eat and enjoy watching the boats.
For the next four weeks we shall be based in Devonport, across the water from the city and easily reached by a 10 minute ride on the ferry. We are met by Wendy whose house we will be living in. She takes us on a brief tour of what is a delightful settlement, the feel of a village with the facilities of a town. Charming turn of the century clapperboard villas, a range of restaurants, cafes and shops, a beach just down the road. From just about every turn their are views of the sea and the surrounding hills and beaches. These are particularly good from the viewpoint of the 2 extinct volcanoes North Head and Mount Victoria. Our host and her partner Jim have made us so welcome. We will spend the next few days recovering and then explore Devonport before taking short sortees into the North of North Island. We shall of course have to sit guard over the swimming pool and check the temperature of the water occasionally whilst savouring the bouquet of a rather nice and pleasantly inexpensive New Zealand wine!!
Fogg is fast asleep on the reclining chair so he will post later.
With best wishes from Phileas
Hi. Actually not asleep. Merely resting eyes.
Fogg.
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