27th June,

Thought it was about time we did an update and put some photos on it.
Our bosses left for there 5 weeks holiday on the 17th June going to Bali. We have managed all ok which John and I are pleased with.
We open the office at 8.30 and close it at 6.00pm 7 days a week.
 The 6 chickens have decided to go off the lay. ( it must be too cold for them.).The fox terrier dog named Sookie is enjoying the company and sleeping on the couch with the heater going. She follows John around on his morning checks and then in the afternoon, It's my turn to go for a walk with her. A very playfull dog. Her favourite place to sleep seems to be the top of the couch where she can see what is happening around her. Especially in the cold evening which we seem to be having at the moment. But the days have been sunny.

Part of the walk way at the Top 10 hastings

Brian our friend decided to come for a visit last weekend. It was great to see him. We decided to have a couple of hours off and go up to Te Mata  Peak which is at Havelock North. The Maori legends call is the Sleeping Giant "Te Mata O Rongokako" or the face of the Rongokako. It covers 98 hectares of land and includes much of the peak skyline which is a special future of the Hawkes Bay landscrape. You can see as far as Napier on a fine day .
There are many walking tracks suitable for all walkers. Walking time approximatel 2 hours round trip.

Legend has it that Te Mata Peak is the body of a Waimarama chief , Te Mata, Although given to warfare, Te Mata waas swayed from the his plan to attack the peaceful Heretaunga people when he saw the beauty of the Heretaunga chief's daughter.  True to storeis from any cultures, the beautiful chieftainess set Te Mata a series of difficult task to prove his worthiness, He completed all but the last  - to eat his way through the hill. Looking towards Te Mata from Hastings, the gargantuan bite that choked the chief can be seen as can his body which forms the skyline.

The highes point rises 399 metres above seal level. From the look out the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharur ranges for the western horizon the coastal hills and Kahuranaki are visible to the south, The Tutaekuri and Ngaruroro fivers flow across the plains while the Tukiutuki rivert is below the Peak.

Te Mata Trust Park is part of lands purchased fro the Crown in 1862 by John Chambers, In 1927 his sons, John Bernard and Mason gifted 98 hectares of there land to the people of Hawkes Bay. Since 1927 , thousands of native and exotic trees and shrubs have been planted throughout the park which also features fossil rich limstone cliffs and stunning vistas across Hawkes Bay . Well worth a visit when you are in  The Hawkes Bay area.  There is a restaurant on the northern edge of the park that has lovely meals they are open from Wednesday to Sunday for dinner.


Te Mata Peak look out to the south



Looking towards Hasting city from the Look out at Te Mata peak



Looking down into the Tukituki river from Te Mata Peak



Looking over the hills surrounind  Hastings



Brian and John at Te Mata Peak lookout Napier in the distance

Cliffs at the Peak

After getting cold with the wind Brian decided that we should see where the road went that we looked down on from the Peak .Off we went and after a few right and left hand turns we ended up at Ocean Beach.

Then from here we went to Waimarama Beach where we decided after a drive around the small community to stop at Jarks Coffee Bar for lunch. A lovely place to stop with a good selection of meals at reasonable prices. The place was very busy with many sunday drivers going there for a coffee.

John and Brian looking for ????

It took 25 minutes to get back to Hastings from Waimarama.  Thanks Brian for your company it was great.