Days Out

DAY ONE

MOUNT MAUNGANUI 

So, when Scott works the weekend, he then gets Monday and Tuesday off.  We decided to make the most of the beautiful summer weather and head out.

On Monday we ended up going to Mount Maunganui.  We haven't been there for ages and love going back for a visit.  It changes every time we head to the Mount, more businesses and shops and there are always loads of tourists, especially when the cruise ships are docked. We walked round the base of the Mount, which usually takes about 40 minutes, in total.  It's a great walk and you feel like you are in paradise.  We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.

After we had a walk round the base track, we headed off to the local ice cream shop,called the Chateaux. You can usually smell the place before you get to it.  They make their own Waffle Cones and they are amazing.  Ice cream in hand, we headed off to Pilot Bay. The quieter side of the Mount, the other side is the large beach, with BIG waves. 

Scott, took Callie for her first paddle in the sea.  She wasn't sure about it at first, and kept on lifting her feet up as high as she could.  But, with a little patience, on Scott's, behalf, she finally stood up properly.

 DAY TWO

KATIKATI BIRD GARDENS 



So, today, we headed out to Katikati Bird Gardens.  Callie is absolutely crazy about birds, if there is more that one at a time, she usually cant speak, because she is soooo excited!.

Katikati, is basically on our doorstep, only took about 15mins to get to the Bird Gardens.  We weren't sure about what to expect, because we hadn't been before, but, we had been told that we would see quite a few birds there.

When we arrived, there wasn't anyone else there, but there was, a big huge peacock,  who came out to meet us in the car park.  Callie was in total shock!

Once we got into the reception area, Callie was greeted by some type of LOUD parrot. When it squawked, it sounded like a telephone....Callie was not impressed! In fact she started crying, lots. After the initial scare, we paid our entrance fee, bought a bag of bird feed and set off.  Callie soon forgot her nasty beginning, when we were greeted by a flock of birds, from ducks, to doves, to peacocks to geese....she didn't know where to look, or what to say.

We went for a fabulous walk through some beautiful gardens, some of which had lovey ponds filled with fish.  The scenery was amazing and the array of birds was fantastic.  Callie had a fantastic time looking at all the birds, I have never seen her stuck for words, but for once she was speechless.

At the end of the walk, we ended up back at the beginning, with all our little feathered friends waiting for us (or was is it our food?).. Mr Peacock was in full display and making sure everyone heard him.  The birds took a fancy to Scott and Callie was, once again, left gobsmacked! A great day out and I am sure we will be back again..soon! xx