Lots to do in Napier

We've moved on to Napier to spend several days just relaxing.  But….. needs must, and we desperately needed to go to the laundromat.  There was one close by, and at the NZMCA camp we are staying, there was a huge clothesline to hang it all out.  There’s nothing better than laundry drying in the warm sunshine, is there?  Holiday or not, there’s always plenty of washing to do.

Round and round it goes

Not too far from the camp is the Filter Room which makes cider and beer.  There is also a restaurant attached and we took ourselves out for a meal, we are on holiday after all, that seemed a good excuse.  I decided to try a glass of cider, but which flavour?  Peach, I decided, and Robin tried a lager.

At the Bar

Our meals were delicious, fish and chips for me, and Robin chose sticky pork ribs, a huge serving but he managed to eat it all.  We had only ever had take-away fish and chips from this establishment before, so it was nice to try a sit down meal for a change.

Delicious meals

One of the places we like to visit in Napier is Arataki Honey, where Robin can get his  honey jars refilled.  We got a jar of Manuka, Rewarewa and Blue Borage, that will keep him happy for a while. And we picked up some more comb honey, it’s not always easy to find, so we  buy it when we can.  I also found a couple of small gifts for future birthdays which I will tuck away somewhere safe till they are needed.

Arataki Honey

Next on our list of places to go was BIrdwoods to their old fashioned sweetshop, always a favourite.  We wanted to replenish our supply of blackballs and acid drops, which we like to keep in the car.  Maybe a little fudge jumped in too.

 

Birdwoods Sweet Shop

This establishment has a gallery, sculpture garden and café as well, but we headed straight to the ice-cream shop.  It was typically warm Hawkes Bay weather, so an ice-cream was declared necessary, and we enjoyed a mixed berry ice-cream, served in a tub.  Better on a hot day, it means it didn't melt and drip all over me as an ice-cream comb is apt to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another thing on my list was a visit to Skeinz Natural Yarn Store, a lovely shop indeed, packed full of beautiful wool and knitting accessories.  But the trouble I have going into these stores without a plan in mind is that I often get overwhelmed, so don’t buy anything.  I came out with a pattern book of baby knits, and a hank of cotton yarn and a pattern to knit a new dishcloth.

Just a couple of things in the bag

One of the things on our “must do” list was to catch up with our Hastings family again.  Niece Lisa had arranged to collect her Dad from the rest home and had booked a table for us all at The Duke of Gloucester pub in Taradale, a favourite of theirs.

Venue for lunch

It was so nice to see Dennis again, husband of my late sister Kathleen, and Lisa with her grown up family, Adam and Kate.  We pondered over the meal choices, and eventually decided.  The meals were huge and several doggy bags got taken home with the leftovers.

Robin, Kate, Jenny, Lisa, Dennis and Adam

We still have a couple more days here in Hastings, and one or two more places to visit.  And high on my “must purchase” list is some sweet summer cherries!  I love them, but so far have hardly had a taste at all, here’s hoping they are still available.