Blonde on a Road Trip

Woke up this morning at about 7:45 to the sound of a whole new array of birdsong. A far cry from the squawks of the Australian cockatoos, crows and ravens.

Anneke’s place is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by hills, cows, pukeke and even a little river at the bottom of the drive. There is no traffic noise, definitely no Pacific Highway here, and it’s incredibly peaceful. We made a cup of coffee and went and drank it on the balcony outside Anneke’s room.

It’s pretty warm and the sun is poking out every now and then, and then it feels really warm!

After Anneke had taken a few work calls to wrap up on work before we went roadtripping, we headed back to Orewa for some breakfast with Vader in the back of the car. By this time we were both quite hungry, so I ordered the smashed avo on hash brown with bacon, and Anneke got the eggs Benedict with avo. Very yum!

Then we stopped off at Sarah’s, one of Anneke’s new contractors. Her house is just a stone’s throw from the beach! Anneke was dropping off some equipment with her but also took a look at one of Sarah’s chickens, which had been limping ever since her son took it for a walk on the beach… apparently he even sits and watches TV with his pet chicken. Cute 😂

Sarah very kindly lent us some camping chairs and a table. As a family they have a boat which they just spent 4 months living on while moored up in Fiji – what a life!

After we’d finished running errands, it was time for a toilet break for Vader, so we stopped at the beach and had a little run around while Anneke tried to book her in to doggy daycare for the next few days.

As it happens, Vader is named… not after the baddie in Star Wars… but after the girl in the film My Girl. Anneke’s ex named her, and Anneke finds this frustrating because she has to go into this longwinded explanation every time someone asks if she’s really into Star Wars.

Anyway, Vader likes to sit in the front seat, but that’s not possible while I’m in it, so she moves around in the back, often setting off the passenger seatbelt alarm as the car sensors lose their mind.

We needed to find me some sunglasses and flip flops so we headed to K-Mart of all places… and I lucked out! Both items purchased for £7.98. No boxers though…

Then we headed to New World to get some things for dinner. Much to my surprise there was an international aisle, which Anneke thought I might want to get some tea from as I’d mentioned it before, but what caught my eye were the Fray Bentos pies…

The international aisle is really just the worst showcase of British produce, but perhaps it’s the naff home comforts that people are drawn to… who knows…

Personally, I can’t say I’m missing Ambrosia custard or Club bars that much just yet…

While we were in the supermarket, Anneke’s sister Jess called and asked if we wanted to meet at Beer Spot, a place that just sells a whole load of different craft beers and often partners with a food truck outside. She also had some camping gear to lend us too!

We met her, her husband and their daughter Lucy (Anneke’s niece) and had some beers and pizza. Lucy is such a character. She’s 2 and a half and knows her mind! She likes to do things her way and doesn’t want people interfering… hmmm… is it in the name?

You can taste all the beers and they’re all numbered on the wall opposite the bar with their percentages and names. Then you just tell the bartender which number you’d like to drink or try. Pretty cool concept!

After we’d finished, we grabbed some things from Jess’ car and headed back to Warkworth via the beach to let Vader have a bit of a run before bed.

As we drove home, we were listening to a conversational Kiwi podcast/radio show and one of the presenters said dinner time in his house was called ‘Knees under’ – as in knees under the table – dinner time. So his granddad always knew to be home by knees under if he wanted a chance of something to eat. Anneke and the other radio show hosts hadn’t heard the expression, but we’re definitely banking it!

Anyway, we got back, let the neighbour’s dogs out and then checked the tent Anneke’s dad had lent us with White Lotus on in the background. Ready for bed at about 10:15pm. The Northlands road trip starts tomorrow!