We left Ian and Marianne’s place about 1pm for the drive to Paihia, Bay of Islands. We went via Matakana and Warkworth so took the opportunity to photograph the public conveniences in Matakana…!

It took about 2.5hrs to get to Paihia. We stopped and had a coffee and a bite and then I sat reading by the water near the i-site while Noel kindly sorted out where to stay. There was an upright piano nearby which someone was playing.

When he came back we went for a wander north along the waterfront. We passed the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, which won’t mean anything to you but I ate there 10 years ago with a good friend Pete after a flying rally.

Paihia.

Noel and walked along the coast to a boat which was a café. Now called Shippey’s. Darn, I should have hidden the ketchup!

The sun was bright!

We walked back to our motel in Paihia and went out for dinner about 8pm. This is a new place, Alongside, which opened up late last year over the water and we had a post-dinner drink there.