Happy Anniversary!

Matt and I celebrated our 1-year wedding anniversary on September 17^th (Thank you for all your messages and E cards!) so to celebrate, on the 16^th we started the day in a very sunny Ohope beach where the campsite was right on the sand dunes at the edge of the beach.  

We then travelled along the East Cape of NZ stopping of at Opotiki, a comparatively larger town with lots of interesting new age shops. As if spending our anniversary in NZ wasn’t enough, Matt had booked us into two fantastic places to stay for the next two nights. The first being the gorgeous Tui Lodge. To say that the lodge is gorgeous is actually an understatement; this house is in some of the most picturesque surroundings I have ever seen.  Looking out from the lounge we had a fantastic view of not only the perfect garden but also White Island, New Zealand’s most active volcano, which was steaming away nicely.

Our hosts at Tui Lodge were the fantastic Joyce and Rex, two of the loveliest people we have met in New Zealand. We could have chatted with them all day and they made us feel so welcome, providing us with cups of tea and cake as we set foot through the door.

Other than Nelson the cat and the dogs we were the only people staying at the lodge that night, it was great to watch the rugby (All blacks v Japan) match in front of the roaring wood fire at the end of a fantastic day.

The next day began with a fantastic breakfast and then we were on the road, heading towards Gisbourne. On the way we stopped off at Tolga Bay, where we walked along the longest Warf in the Southern Hemisphere, and met a group of kids fishing for their tea (very successfully so, too!) at the end of it.

Actual one-legged seagull. 

A familiar face!

We then carried on to Gisborne and our accommodation for the evening- Te Kura B&B, a 1920’s riverside home.  As we approached the driveway we were sure we were in the wrong place, this house was too beautiful, with its stained glass windows and magnolia tree, the camper definitely looked out of place! We got to play lord of the manor with our very own corridor in the house including a claw-foot bath.  Our host Paul was again great and hospitable suggesting some restaurants in the town for our anniversary meal (it was their anniversary as well!). 

Lord of the Manor

Thai dinner

Before we left for the next part of our trip down to Napier there was just time for breakfast. As Paul was originally from Sheffield he knew how to make a proper cup of tea and a fantastic cooked breakfast.

A great way to celebrate our first year of Marriage. It was fun to think about the things we were doing this time last year, surrounded by all our friends and family. I wonder how Matt will top this next year??

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY also to Janet and John and Paul & Bronwyn!