Ginger Wine and sunshine.

Hi there folks near and far. Yes as you can see from the photo I am in the grips of a nasty winter lurgy. I'm trying to do all the right things but I must say my favourite treatment has to be Stones Original Green Ginger Wine. By far the most effective and enjoyable cure all for the winter ills.

But let's get away from this scene and go back to a much better day on Saturday.

It dawned so lovely and sunny. A day for bringing out the veranda comforts, but not this time.

Oh no! It was just the ticket for getting Emmylou out of the barn and taking her for a run.

She does look huge next to the cottage doesn't she.

Well a big lady she is at 9.3 mtrs long she is longer than our cottage is wide and I think higher also than the eaves at the sides but the cottage does win, just.

Now with my gammy knees I just have to haul myself up the steep steps. Lucky there is the walls there for leverage.

We were soon on our way. It is so great to see the farmland so rich and green after the dry summer.

My acorn oaks are still green, but not these favourites of mine along the way towards Pukekohe.

There she is. Pukekohe hill. One of the Auckland regions many volcanoes tho this is really just a pimple isn't it. For out of region followers the soil in this area is rich volcanic loam and so good for growing the onions, spuds, brassicas etc that we are famous for. 

So many vegies to keep us healthy. I love these scenes. Unfortunately many of these fields are being taken for housing. Such a crime!

Heading towards Tuakau the scene is the same, with some dairying in between.

Aha! Now do you know where we're heading. This bridge is not wide enough for two Emmylou's but a car might get passed so let's go.

Rocky out crops and a tiny forgotten cottage.

Another volcanic pimple.

Now this is the hall where our #1 first went to play centre. Too many years ago.

You see, way back then, about 1969 we used to live in a tiny cottage up this hill where Kerry worked on the farm. Yes we were farmers. Shifting every 1st June to the next farm job. We were in our early twenties and #2 was on the way, born just before we shifted on. Those were the days.

Now here we are on our occasional pilgrimage down these roads again. Roads that lead...

To the Port, or to be exact, Port Waikato. Yes we crossed the mighty Waikato River via that humpty bridge and now were almost there. 

So many wonderful iconic kiwi baches. Any buyers?

And more baches.

There is the river wharf. There used to be a fab fish n chip shop here but alas not any more, so we have brought our own lunch today.

Tadah! The west coast beach. Quite calm on this beautiful day.

Looking northward along the coast past the Waikato heads and way in the distance our own beach. See where the stormy weather recently has gouged out part of the car park. 

Having paid homage to the coast we are heading back through the streets of baches

To this awesome peaceful spot at the river beach. The tide has just changed and on its way out. Following the Sandhills around and through the gap one comes to the surf beach again. Across the way is the forestry and somewhere in amongst it is where they take the iron sand to make steel at Glenbrook where Kerry worked for 25yrs.

Here we are enjoying peace, sun and simple fare.

Looking up River you can just see Pukekohe Hill, so we've travelled in a big loop to get here taking about an hour but such a lovely drive and such a special spot. Emmylou thought so too. She bounced along very happily. So glad to get out of the barn for the day.

Thankyou Emmylou for all the joy you give us.

I hope you enjoyed coming along with us. Love and blessings, Trills.xxx