New Plymouth

 HI there

Well ...   Last week I decided I'd drive to the Porirua Mall which is probably about half an hour from Miramar, or maybe an hour if you get caught up in morning traffic along Cobham Drive.  

I almost got as far as Porirua when I suddenly thought, "Hey, why don't I go to Palmerston North for the day?"  Yeah, great idea...

I got as far as Sanson, my last turn-off before Palmerston North and over an hour's  drive from the Terrace Tunnel, at the edge of Wellington city.    "Um." I pondered ...  "Isn't New Plymouth up the road...?"

It was a good four hours away.

"Maybe I could spend a few days in New Plymouth...?"

...but I didn't have a change of of clothes, did I? . Except for what I was wearing.

Who cared?  I decided that I was off to New Plymouth for three days.

And revelation! - I did have an amazing stash in the boot of my car, in the form of my emergency swimming bag,_ 

In the bag, I had -

my swimming shorts, swimming tank top, a lycra t-shirt that I sometimes swam in during our cold winter months, three-quarter length trousers, a sarong, a pair of knickers, two Weight-Watchers food bars, sunblock, sunhat, and a cardigan.  Also in the car's boot were two umbrellas, another cardy, and one heavy rain-jacket.

And now that I think about it, I always used to worry that I never had a packed bag in case of a big earthquake.  Looking back now, I realise that my emergency swimming bag can definitely serve two purposes.

The only things I think I missed out on during my New Plymouth holiday were an extra bra, my nightly eyedrops, and my phone charger.  I had to buy toothpaste and a toothbrush.  And I did feel a bit uncomfortable when I had to wear my pink and black camo t-shirt to dinner at the Devon Hotel.  But I think I did carry off that fashion choice with elegance and aplomb.

above: me, at Belt Road, in my pink camo swimming t-shirt...  (My goodness, I do, indeed, possess some pink clothing.  See b!og of a few weeks back).

I walked sections of the Coastal Walkway which I always love doing. 

above: New Plymouth Coastal Walkway.  In front of Kawaroa Park children's playground.  There's the rock containing carved penguins.

above:  penguin claw-prints lead from the steps out of the children's playground down to this rock where there is a carving of a mother and baby penguin.  Penguins come in to New Plymouth.

My sore heel wouldn't allow me to walk the length of the walkway like I usually do.   I shopped Devon Street, and swam at my favourite beach in the Port area. 

Luckily the weather was fine and extremely warm.  I managed to book a cabin with bathroom, kitchenette, and housekeeping at The Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park, a favourite place, which is right on the edge of the Coastal Walkway with a terrific view of the ocean.