New Plymouth to Hamilton
Trip Start
Feb 25, 2008
1
16
18
Trip End
Mar 08, 2008
Hamilton,
New Zealand
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
We did just that, we were off just after 8:30. there isn't much to report on the journey that hasn't already been said, great scenery, a couple of fantastic gorges and some little towns that appeared from no-where !
the only thing to say is that we hit a string of road works in the valleys, so got stuck behind 3 trucks at one point, OMG what a disaster, it delayed our journey by a few minutes, not like the M62 would do !!
We came into the town from the south and I plotted a way to go past the cricket ground, just so I could see where it was ready for tomorrow ! and we found the motel easily, it was one of the Bella Vista Motel chains. A lovely place, all you need and nice and clean
Paddle boat on the river
.We went for a walk once we had unpacked our stuff. We called at the cricket ground, where the Test Match ws in play (Day 1), and collected our tickets for Thursday.
We then went across town towards the River that runs through the centre of Hamilton. We found a nice spot overlooking the river and ate our lunch (yep, cheese sandwiches for me !), watched by some ducks, who came very close indeed once we gave them a bit of bread.
Once finished we followed the river path for a couple of k's and then walked back through town towards our Motel. Again we had walked a long way, about 6k's we reckon.
We called at an estate agent on the way back and ended up speaking to the agebt for nearly an hour about the house buying process and mortgage situation. Some of it came very clear, some of it needs more investigation. Her Finance people will be in touch in the next few weeks to let us know what we can afford etc. Some good info gained. Houses are a lot cheaper in Hamilton than some of the other places we've been to.
We got back to the Motel and I did a bit of this internet stuff and checked the cricket score, we sat in the sun for a while before getting chnaged and heading back into town for a drink and some tea.
I spotted a pub full of England supporters so we headed there, it was the 'official' Barmy Army pub ! They were selling all the merchandise so I got myself the Barmy Army New Zealand tour polo shirt. We had a couple of drinks, some New Zeland version of Smirnoff Ice for me, Diet Coke for Claire !
We wandered through the main street and found a greek place that looked ok. Claire had a mushroom Fettucine dish, that she said looked disgusting, but then said it tasted superb ! I had a Lemon and Garlic Chicken, and very nice it was too ! We also bumped into Jummy form the Barmy Army on the way through town, he did look a little worse for wear. We should see him in full voice tomorrow at the game.
Claire is really looking forward to it !!
