A week somewhere else

Any time spent in Taranaki is time well spent in my book, even when it's a fair bit colder than here at home.  I didn't even complain about the wind.  Well, not much.  Spending time with my daughter and her family are added attractions, staying with her in her new home with a view of that marvellous mountain, Taranaki, make for the perfect getaway.

Taranaki is the home of Betty who hosts Welcome to my Corner of the World each week.  It might be just as well I don't live there all the time, I'd just post constant photos of that mountain.

I drove down there this time, didn't like the thought of wearing a mask for hours on two flights and while waiting in Auckland for the second flight.

I set my GPS for the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hamilton thinking that would be a good place for a little rest and walk around.  Should have looked it up before I left home, that would have saved me from driving out of my way only to be disappointed that it is closed for renovations (estimated to be completed in 2021).  The best I could do was a photo from the side of the road.

It wasn't very far out of my way, to be honest.  The same road gave me a very pleasant drive through to Pirongia where I had booked a Shed to stay the night.

 

A very creative couple had taken a half round farm shed and turned it into a funky and very comfortable one bedroom accommodation.  It had been raining lightly most of the way and continued to do so through the night, so I didn't get to enjoy the view of Mt Pirongia which is out there in that mist.  Despite the rain, I enjoyed what there was of the view.

It was still raining the next morning when I stopped for a cup of coffee at the Otorohanga playground.  The brightly coloured equipment looked as dismal as the weather with no children to be seen.

However, the weather cleared as I went further south and I could easily see the mountain as I drew nearer and started pulling off the road to take photos. 

My grandson, Aiden is soccer mad.  He's outside with his soccer ball for hours every day.  While I was there I got to attend his club prizegiving so could share the family pride when he won Most Valued Player for his team.

A great reward for the hours he puts in.  And a good lesson for a young bloke to learn - you have to  put in the time to reap the rewards.

This was very much a family visit, I didn't go off wandering.  Had a day shopping with my "shopper" daughter.  Three hours of it!  I was exhausted after that but have some nice new clothes that my daughter decreed as an improvement on my usual.  There are so many things one should think of when clothes shopping according to the fashionista.

Found this delightful spot one day in Pukekura Park.

Love your corner of the world, Betty.