An Epicurean Odyssey

Well, we are with Peter and Alison, after all!

An overnight in Auckland gave us the opportunity to eat late and still get up for lunch and a vineyard visit on Waiheke the next morning. Hedonism, doesn't get much better, really. And (sorry Colleen & Craig), the sun just continues to shine on us. We must really be the righteous 😉

By combining food and the Sky Tower in one evening, we got the spectacular views, great food in The Sugar Club - and avoided the 32 dollar fee just to go up in the lift! What's not to like? And it seems we met Barry Manilow as well! 😂

Having had a brilliant night in the Soul Bar last week, we thought we couldn't do much better but The Sugar Club managed to be its equal for food and service - and I would have to admit pips it for views! I can easily see why Auckland regularly rates as one of the most liveable cities in the world. We are enjoying this place. Up the tower, great nosh and there is Auckland Harbour Bridge in the background.

We had bagged some cheapish rooms at the recently reopened Sofitel/Marsden Viaduct Hotel (still haven't worked out why two hotels appear to be sharing the same building), due to the fact that the lobby is still undergoing renovation after the recent floods. So no services, but lovely rooms for a fraction of usual price - just had to step over the cling film covering the lobby floor to get in!

In the Sofitel lobby - my next tattoo?

Once we had dropped our bags we set out for the excellent Maritime Museum, just round the harbour. An excellent and absorbing display of New Zealand maritime history and Maori and Kiwi innovation in sailing - including the great America's Cup winner.

They had to throw me out at closing time for me to find the others settled into Coops on the corner of the harbour having established it was time to chill. Just a warm up for the main course 53 floors up the Sky Tower later that evening.

A full on day, and a well earned sleep, was followed by a "healthy" breakfast at The Lawns and a morning ferry out to Waiheke, on yet another blue sky day. Bit of walking through the shops of Oneroa, a bus trip across the island and another short stroll up a drive and we found ourselves, as if by magic at Stonyridge Winery for their platter of charcuterie, cheese and bread - and a fine bottle of their Viognier. It would have been rude not to. There might have been a few shut eyes on the ferry back to Auckland CBD.

And so another chapter or verse in our Aotearoa adventure comes to a close. Today we said au revoir to Peter & Alison as they head south to Queenstown for a few days and then eventually they will be bothered to turn up to see the lovely Olivia in Queensland 😂 😉. Have a great time all of you. Say hi to the Daintree for us.

A quiet weekend awaits us. We might get no further than the village and the beach. Sounds like bliss!

So for now, I'll close with some pictures of the last few days, which have been fabulous! Bon Voyage Peter and Alison...

Fighting over dessert.

The other idiot in the lobby of the Sofitel

Farmer Cornwall, exploring the olive groves at Stonybridge

Pals in The Sugar Club

And two more. Anyone ready for the Skywalk?

That looks nice! Chillin' at Stonyridge.

And finally apologies to those who got the alert for the re-publication of "A day out with Jack", from some months back. User error, of course. Surprise, surprise.