End of Summer Time

 I've just had a weekend away with a difference, and it was such fun.  I joined a bus tour (door to door pick up) for a night out for dinner, on to Circa Theatre and staying in a rather posh hotel.  The hotel put the very tatty Hasting motel from my last trip to shame, but then as I said before, you get what you pay for.  As I would only be away for a little less than 24 hours, I was happy to leave Gemma at home.  Loaded up with plenty of food and water and a freshly cleaned litter box, I reasoned she would be fine.  After all, she does sleep most of the day away.

Before the trip I had to get the overnight travel bag down from the loft.  You may remember that our loft, with the pull down ladder, is always rather scarey for me.  I asked my friend Dot to come down while I climbed up the ladder, just to be there in case I slipped.  Dot insisted that she climb the ladder instead, and handed down two suitcases to me.  Thanks Dot, you were a god send.  My blue cases hadn't been used since our last rail trip through Australia, some years back now, and I found photocopies of our passports safely tucked away, just in case of loss.  

Packed and ready to go

The bus tour started from Hastings, and collected me outside the village.  I was soon onboard, and settled down.  We stopped at Coastlands Mall, Paraparaumu, for lunch, this was at our own cost.  People did their own thing, there were several cafe options at the mall, and I wandered through to Butlers Chocolate Cafe, always a favourite, and lunched with one of the passengers.

I love it here

I enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate and a ham and cheese toastie and chattered away to my table mate. Full disclosure, I may have purchased a few chocolates to take home.  My travel companion went off checking out some shops, and I decided to make my way back to the entrance where the bus was parked.  That didn't go well.  I walked this way and back, just couldn't find the correct exit.  Finally I spotted a lady in a Fire Service uniform and asked for help.  She walked me around yet another corner, and yes, that's where I needed to be!  Goodness knows what she thought of me, I've mentioned before that I'm often navigationally challenged.  

The rain was coming down again as we drove towards Wellington, finally arriving at the Copthorne Hotel, on Oriental Parade.  A helpful staff member came out to greet us, but the umbrellas she was carrying were soon blown inside out, we were in windy Wellington, after all.  We were given our door cards and went upstairs to find our rooms.  And what a lovely room it was, very nice and comfortable indeed.   After all those years of caravanning, it is always a treat to stay in a hotel room.  All to myself - it's just a shame Robin was not here to share it with me

My room

View from my tiny balcony, wet and misty

Later we were collected and drove to Dragons Restaurant for an early dinner.  Our party was split into two groups, and the tasty food kept arriving.  Mmm, it was certainly delicious, but I did pass up the wiggly squid.  There were dishes of  chicken, pork, fish,  dumplings and spring rolls, plenty for everyone.  Dessert was ice-cream with chocolate sauce.

Dinner at the Dragons Restaurant

Then it was a very short drive to Circa Theatre, on the waterfront.  Robin and I had been here many times in the past when we lived in Upper Hutt, and always enjoyed plays and live shows.  The building has been expanded since the last visit, and now consists of two studios, a bar and plenty of lounge seating.

Circa Theatre

The play was "End of Summertime" written by Roger Hall, always a favourite New Zealand playwright.  It continues the story of Dickie Hart, played by Gavin Rutherford, the sole performer, relating his thoughts in a stream of consciousness.  Previously a farmer, Dickie and his wife moved to a retirement village in the big smoke of Auckland, that was certainly a  big change in his life.  And then Covid hit, and Auckland went into Lockdown.  It certainly was a great night out.

The following morning the rain had stopped, and it looked like being a nice day.  It was  a leisurely morning, with our departure  time being 10.00am.  Plenty of time for a cuppa in bed while I caught up with the news, have a shower, pack my overnight case, then amble down to the restaurant for a buffet breakfast.  We then boarded the coach for our homeward journey.

Our coach and hotel

First stop was at Kapiti Chocolates in Paraparaumu.  I was on the lookout for peppermint marshmallow Easter eggs, impossible to find in the supermarkets this year.  Yes, I did find some, so that was lucky.  By all the bags coming onboard, it seems that most of the others made purchases too.

Kapiti Chocolates

Heading north, we soon arrived at Levin.  The driver drove through the village and parked right outside my home, that would have given the neighbours something to talk about.  Then the coach was off, heading back to Hastings.  It was a great trip and I would certainly consider another one in the future.  Gemma still had food in her bowl, so she wasn't starving.  She jumped up on my lap for a pat and a cuddle, we had a little talk together, then she decided enough is enough.  I think she was happy to see me.