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| Monday was Waitangi Day, a bank holiday and as it was the last weekend before the children go back to school, doing anything on the road was not an option. We settled for an easy day starting with a lovely morning walk. Later in the day we went for a gentle bike ride. It is always surprising what you discover when on a bike, rather than in a car. We found a strange place, which was a house museum. Buildings from all over New Zealand have been brought to this place and arranged as in a village, or small town. It even had a small church. There was a strange atmosphere, all the houses were open but there was not a soul about and it felt as if all the inhabitants had just got up and walked away! We parked our bikes and had a wander around. It seemed to us that this was a venture placed in the wrong spot. All the little shops had turned into various offices and were naturally closed. We left and felt aggrieved that we did not have a camera with us. | |
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Tuesday was the
day we were determined to make contact with the BBO. I had written an
email and left telephone messages but from the middle of December to now
there was no response from them. One of our camping neighbours gave us a
lift into Tauranga and as he had worked as a bus driver Bill knew this
town inside out. He kindly took us to the BBO and then waited for us.
I felt sick with nerves, wondering what would happen. The BBO NZ HQ is a very nice place, with 4 studios and a Ballet shop attached. We wandered into the office and were greeted by one of the young male dancers, which instantly made me think of my boys. He took as to see Mrs Gooch and as she was busy with something, he took us back to the office to wait for her. I was too nervous to see anything. Fergus noticed that all the certificates on the wall were hanging up crookedly. Mrs. Gooch arrived, apologizing for the wonky certificates on the wall, apparently the cleaners had upset them when dusting. |
| I had met Prue
Gooch before but it was many years ago in London. She was very
businesslike and did not recognize me. She suggested two things. One to
have a proper meeting on Monday morning at 9:30 am. Secondly she would
post any information I can put together on an A4 piece of paper to all her
teachers. We left and I felt a bit better. At least I will be given an
interview in which I can tell her about my work with feet and pointe
shoes. Secondly I could put information together for her to read. Thirdly
she would post information to all her teachers. The strongest impression I
got was that she has been working very much on educating her teachers but
in different sort of way. She is not really interested in lectures of any
kind, but discussion groups, an informal way of putting information across
without doing the teachers down. Hurray that would be fantastic. Prue has
moved to the 21st Century and I think I will get on with this
lady.
We went back with Bill and I could not think about anything else for a while. Fergus, as usual, was very patient with me. We had quite a lot to do between Tuesday and the coming Monday. |
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Heads down we
went, I put all the information for the teachers together and then Fergus
did the magic. We realized that it would be useful to have a small
web-site about me and my interest and what I would like to do in New
Zealand. Plus we had to find a way of packaging all the information so
Pure would want to read it. This took practically all of our time and we
got it all done and nicely presented. One of the things I did on my own,
was to go back to the BBO and watch Prue teach two classes. She was
pleased to see me and I felt that it would make the meeting on Monday much
easier. She is an excellent teacher and I feel that we have a lot in
common.
Whilst cycling around Tauranga we found a German butcher shop, the joy of dried beef and veal sausages etc. made in NZ by Germans, all very good and very cheap. Check them out at www.blackforestgourmet.co.nz |
| We stayed on at
the same Holiday Park, and enjoyed being able to sit outside for our
meals. We had a little hideaway, which looked out over the estuary. There
were some very lovely sunsets and we very much enjoyed staying there.
Monday morning came very quickly and we got to the BBO with ¾ of an hour to spare. We had a very good meeting and I think Prue might like what I have to offer. She has invited me to four BBO teaching seminars. For practical reasons we will only be able to make three, Wellington in June, Christchurch and Invercargill in July. I will be paid for my working time, but the BBO has no budget for travelling costs. I would like to get involved and we can alter our travelling to fit around these courses. Prue will work through all the information and when she has worked out how best to make use of me she will be back in touch. We left and I felt very high spirited. We were now finally free to go and do whatever we want. After a simple lunch and a bit of shopping we headed off towards the East Cape. We stopped at Ohope. Ohope is out on a sand spit and has the Pacific Ocean on the right side of the spit and an inland estuary on the left side. We were at the beginning of the spit and parked as close as we dared to the sea. I always love it when we get back to the open sea. We had a great walk along the enormously long beach. Happily we paddled along the waters edge for a while and then returned to have a swim in the pool. Yes I know, how can I have a swim in a pool with all that Ocean. The Pacific is very powerful and the waves can pull you out to sea. Fergus likes it very much and he is not phased by the big waves. He loves to body surf and I am scared of it. So I prefer to swim in the pool where it is safe. |
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We stayed at
Ohope until Thursday. We walked, cycled, swam and had some lovely meals.
We are still on the diet but Fergus is back on his normal tablets. Well
you have to try these things. I am definitely loosing a little bit of
weight and that makes me feel better. On Wednesday Fergus got his camera
back (It broke in early January and we had to send it to Auckland to be
repaired) and so it meant we could follow our plan and head off for the
East Cape
<------ Moutohora Island from Ohope Beach |
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| We started by going back to Whakatane to stock up with food and wine. The East Cape is a bit remote and so it was a good idea that we did the shopping in advance. Armed with a motorhome full of goodies we headed off. |
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| The coastline
is stunning and reminds me a bit of the Californian coastline. Stunning
scenery. We stopped where we liked and walked along the beach. On
Thursday night we stopped for one night at Te Kaha. It too had a lovely
coastline and Fergus headed off over the rocks to explore and take
photos.The campsite was nothing to write home about and so we moved on
instead of staying a day or two.
By Friday afternoon we got to Te Araroa. We found a lovely holiday park and we will stay here for a day or two. |
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