RECIPES

Wednesday 27 April 2022

A Super Long Weekend

 

Home again, after a wonderful relaxing long weekend at Whangamata.  It is so good to go away sometimes, even if it is only for a few days – and always good to come home again!

The weather was wonderful the whole time we were away, and we pottered around, laughed lots, and generally did very little.

It was lovely walking along the beach.  Around at the Estuary we sat and watched Variable Oystercatchers with their black plumage and bright orange beaks.

There were a lot of New Zealand Dotterels there as well, often difficult to see as they blended in so well with the sand.




We wandered around town, doing lots of browsing but not buying very much. 

Town was busy, and I was surprised to see how many people had dogs with them (thankfully all on leads, or they could have created chaos in the crowd).




Back at the house, we watched movies, sat out on the deck and talked, and worked on a jigsaw puzzle.




Breakfast was eaten at home, but our other meals were eaten out.  My favourite spot was the Smash Pipi, a Monteith’s Brewery bar and restaurant.

We visited here on Saturday night and the staff, the drinks, and the food, were all exceptional.  My Seafood Chowder was full of real fish, shrimps, king prawns and mussels.  Yum!




Mittens was thrilled to see me home again (as was Son!) – she then jumped into my suitcase as I was unpacking, as if to say “Next time you can take me as well.”

There really is no place quite like home 😊

Margaret.

 

12 comments:

  1. Your seafood chowder sounds so delicious. Our country has such amazing seafood.

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  2. Lauhging lots and doing little sounds just perfect!
    Smash Pipi???!!!! No idea if I would go there, it means "pee" in German and smashed... no ;-)
    Funny, too, you mention Mittens first! Awww...

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    1. Oh dear, translations! Here, "pipi" (said as pip-ee) is the Maori name for a common type of shellfish that can be foraged from the shore. Getting smashed is slang for getting drunk, so not so sure about the 'smash'!!!

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  3. The chowder looks delicious.

    That sounds like a relaxing escape but home is always the best.

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  4. It looks like you had a great trip. It is good to get away sometimes.

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  5. Sounds like a wonnnnnnnnnnderful little holiday!!!!! I am so *jealous*... :-)

    I'll bet son was as happy as kitty, to have you home. The homemaker is very important. :-)

    🚀🌟🌠🚀🌠🌟🚀

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  6. What a lovely time away you had. That looks like a difficult jigsaw puzzle. I can't figure out how the pieces don't jumble when that 'case' is closed though.

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    1. The case is quite intriguing. There are two other flat pieces that sit upon each side and then the two sides can be carefully closed together and zipped up. I've never seen one before and found it quite fascinating :)

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  7. Always nice to have a little getaway and see something new.The chowder looks fabulous!

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  8. Glad you had such a good break away.

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  9. Sounds like a wonderful time was had by all. And it is always so good to get back home.

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Thank-you for visiting my blog. I love it when you leave a comment so please feel free to have your say. Have a great day! Margaret xx