Touring About With Me

When we live in a area that has a lot of tourist sights we rarely get to see them ourselves. I took a ride up to Bluff Hill last weekend. Napier once again turned on the most amazing weather. It got to around 30c which is very hot, as we have what is called a burning heat here. Our humidity can get up there sometimes but more a burning sun. So what better place to be than on top of the world looking down on all the lovely sights. Don’t worry once I came down the next visit was the beach.

Just taking the drive up to Bluff Hill is beautiful in itself. The roads leading up can be a little narrow and lined with fabulous old trees and homes. It’s a shame some parts of it you can’t stop and get out and have a look. Well you probably could if there were no cars behind you. You would have to pull into someones driveway to do this, but the sights could be worth it. There are a few different roads you can take but last week I went up Coote Road which leads you past the Old Prison which I’ll go visit and do a story about at a later stage. Sorry if you clicked on that link and it made you jump, which it did me. Just follow the sign posts and it’s only a few twists and turns until you come to the Big Water Pump Station. There is some lovely Art Deco fences across the road from here. One called The Hill Top catches the eye, think it’s the style and age that enables you to envision a time of Class and Glamour. It has stood the test of time with a few big earthquakes thrown in.

I stopped just at the top of the Bluff Hill car park, probably wasn’t supposed to park so close to the end of car park, but there was a lot of sight seeing that day. Usually when we have a cruise ship in, The Nuatic was in that day, I’m told the hotelier’s inform the tourist. Good to see though. I started taking photo’s from all over the place. I’ll add link to my flickr set for you to see. It is so worth the time to take yourself, friends and family up there every now and then. Napier changes pretty fast these days. There are areas around the Port of Napier which seem to change daily. It is growing very fast and luckily for us it’s allowing bigger Cruise Ships to come here. They are a sight to make you want to jump on board and go touring about the open sea’s. The views of the coast lines from Cape Kidnappers to Mahia on a beautiful clear sunny day are breath taking. Some tourist have even left their mark on our foliage which I photographed, have added them for you to see too. So start touring about a bit and see some of our great sights it’s fun.

Next time I visit Bluff Hill I’m going to take a picnic, as with the amazing views what better spot to sit and enjoy it all at your own leisure. Can get a ice cream up there at times from Mr Whippy, needed it in the heat thats for sure.

Enjoy my photo’s and let me know what you think.

just one of the beautiful views to be seen from above

Dressups Anyone

Beginning of a great long hot day..Hastings

Hi everyone,

Well it’s now Saturday the 17th January and it’s the day of The Blues Brews and BBQs event. I’m really looking forward to it, as in all the years I have lived here in Hawke’s Bay I have never been.

“The festivals are a celebration of everything that is unique about the traditional kiwi summer lifestyle; our love of outdoor cooking, great music and enjoying an ale or two with good friends and family.” Quoted from the Blues Brews and BBQs site.

So it’s a day of to much good BBQ food and lots of local treats by some of the best chefs around. Lots of stalls with tempting delights I’m sure. I’m told the smells are divine. Just imagine the aroma of around 20 bbqs, all cooking at the same time. lamb, pork, veges, Indian, Middle Eastern, Ostrich, Westcoast Whitebait to sweets, any food you can think of that’s cooked on a bbq and more… It’s a shame computers don’t have a smell button lol. The mouth waters just thinking of it. Will put up some photo’s just to tempt you even more..

Now to the Ales..

Beer, Chider, schnapps and even some wines considering this is a Beer feast you can still enjoy a wine or 2.

Below is just some of the stalls where you can tempt your treat buds. Oh what a sad day it is when you can be in one place and have so much, sorry only joking, it’s far from a sad day when you have so much talent in one place. Not only  Food Cooked by the best, Ales from all over and Music by so many different amazing bands. Yes we get to listen to some of NZ’s top bands while filling ourselves silly. Bands like Devils Elbow, supported by Hamish Pinkham, Ian Morris and the Undefeated, Tropical Downbeat Orchestra, Pulse, Naked Gun and The Checks and lots lots more…

Well it’s time for me to go get ready. Have list of things to take and on the top today is Sun Block as the weather forecast has said it’ll get into the 30’s. Thats’ hot. It’s hot here already.

So Camera Sunblock, hat, book haha, money (wish I had some) bottles of cold water, something to sit on, (can’t take outdoor chairs to big) Jacket for cooling evening,(that’s if you’ll feel it by then) and don’t forget ya ticket. It’s $25 online but $35 at gate, a bit unfair really, not everyone has a computer. All set to go. So see you there, gates open at 2.30pm close 10pmish. Hawke’s Bay A&P  Showgrounds. A fun day to be had by all, oh and don’t forget to take your friends and family.

A big Welcome to you.

I hope to take you on a journey with me around and about my home town, once I  have set all this up looking great for you.

I know you’ll enjoy seeing where I live, what happens here and why you should come visit.One being it is such a beautiful place.

I will be visiting your home town in the not to distant future as it’s my desire to see the world and show it to you through my eyes. Which will hopefully inspire you too, to get out and see what is around you and hopefully the rest of the world.

Home is always a great place to start. It’s funny how you can live in a town, city or even in the country and not really know much about your own surroundings.

I have lived here in the Hawkes Bay of New Zealand since 1987 and have only just discovered I know very little of what and where the tourist usually go. How bads that.

Well that is about to change. I’ll set my theme up get my camera out and we’ll be off.

So please do call back in the next few days as hope to have all looking great, and start showing you something of the Hawkes Bay. Even if it is only a few photo’s that I like to take while out walking.

So see you again soon

Deb

Hi guys

Just wanted to give a quick update and as you can see I have finely picked my theme. Only taken me days to do it, as others I picked couldn’t use for one reason or another. I’m just waiting to find out if the photo in the header of this can be changed. Yes it’s sadly not of where I live, but I’m sure I’ll be able to find a photo of the Bay at night that looks just as inviting if not more so.

There are a fair few things on in the Bay this weekend so I’ll get some links up for you to take a look at. I myself am off to (for the first time) Blues Brews nd BBQs http://www.bluesbrews.co.nz/home  , at the Show Grounds in Hastings on Saturday 17th January. I’ll be at the gate when it opens at 2.30pm.  So looking forward to it and hope to take heaps of photos so you will be beating at the bit to go next year.

Ok said a quick update so that’s it for this post. Sorry will add links when all setup.

Thanks everyone