Extra Long Weekend On Waiheke

Made the most of the good weather by extending our Labour Weekend on the island by a day, going over Saturday returning Tuesday. We hadn't been over for several weeks. 

Sunday was an auspicious occasion of the birthday variety .  Started the day with Mass at St Peter's overlooking Little Oneroa and followed that by a visit to the Blackpool Car Boot Sale en route to Solar for our customary coffee and muffin. They have the most delicious muffins there, roast vegetable with a hint of cumin for the savoury ones this time and berry and white chocolate for the sweet, both super-fresh and moist. 

Back to the bach for lunch after buying some local Turkish bread from the Waiheke Fruit  and Vege Shop which we enjoyed with a tuna salad, a bit like salad Nicoise but my version of it.  

In the afternoon we had a long hot walk up to an art studio of one of my favourite Waiheke artists, Katie Trinkle Legge. She does lovely big paintings of fruit often with or in retro containers like enamel pitchers, old bottles etc.

In the evening  we went to Vino Vino in Oneroa for a celebratory dinner. Friend Shona from across the road came too and Frances was with us for the weekend so there was a bit of a party atmosphere.  The restaurant was full and had been recently renovated and looked lovely. 

Started with a glass of bubbles followed by a delicious meal of tender salt and pepper calamari with salad and a rice dish.

Spent Monday in Surfdale, going for a walk along the beach and having lunch at local French cafe, Frenchot.  Had a lovely baguette stuffed full of delicious rare roast beef.

It is where I practice my French - bonjour, merci etc.

Tuesday was warm and breezy and made the most of the morning by getting the bus to Oneroa to go to the Red Cross shop to drop off a few things, and  Upcycle to see what the enterprising creative craftswomen of Waiheke have been making. 

 There were some lovely little heart brooches made of small pieces of embroidered doyleys and some other brooches made of coiled zips, and some others with an old fashioned button inside a decorated bottle top.

Back to the bach for lunch and tidy-up time before the usual rush to the bus stop to get the bus to the wharf and ferry back home.