Russell... Time To Leave...

 It was a wild day... I had lain awake the night before

listening to the wind and rain. I was booked on the bus

from Paihia to Auckland. When the weather is too rough

the  ferries between Russell and Paihia are cancelled.

If that happened I would be going nowhere!

 But despite the weather the brave little ferries made it across

this strip of churned up water and didn't sink

under the pelting rain.

The ferry skipper was marvellous... "Hop on Board I'll look after

your bag"... And hopped off as the ferry rocked violently

leaving a chasm between the deck and the wharf!

 I took these photos from Paihia after I had arrived there as the 

next ferry arrived. I dashed out in the rain and cick, click, clink...

It was so spectacular.

At the end of the wharf is the Pier Cafe. I dived in there

out of the wind and rain. I had 45 minutes to wait for my bus

so coffee and a late breakfast was the perfect thing...

Then on my way to Auckland...

Russell - Kororaeka ... A Walk Up Flagstaff Hill...

This road  goes over the hill to Tapeka Point. Half

way up there is a smaller steeper road that goes up

Flagstaff Hill to the sun dial and historic flagstaff.

Spring was in the air... Beautiful sun-tropical Hibiscus...

Tall straggly Red Hot Pokers...

Scented climbing Jasmine - considered a noxious weed!

Up the road to the Flagstaff Hill Reserve. It was a beautiful day 

and after the rain the bush has a magical smell.

The sun dial... I don't know how to tell the time...

The amazing ceramic base...

And there is Russell...

The view back down to the village and to Matauwhi Bay

The Russell main street and the front beach... Pompallier Mission

House the last house along the beach...

Looking over to the town of Paihia...

From the top of the hill I walked down another bush track...

To Titore Way... Along here to the end...

Past more flowers basking in the spring sun...

An early Camelia...

A Magnolia rambling happily...

And all the stunning new red growth on the Photinia hedge...

At the end of the road is yet another track through the bush

back to Russell...

A seat for resting on...

And enjoying the view...

And here, depending on the tide it branches left or right.

I took the low road...

Down to the beach. It's not far so if the tide was too high

I could have gone back...

But there was enough dry beach left to walk this way...

Over the rocks...

And back to Russell village. Russell is a labyrinth of well kept

walk ways, all maintained by DoC. I could walk a different way each

day and not get lost... It's too small!

 

A Week In Russell... Bay of Islands

I spent a week in Russell with friends.

I love being there, although the weather was cool

and still winter. It's a small place so long walks

filled up lots of my days. In these photos...

I walked over the small hill to Long Beach.

It's always so beautiful there regardless of the weather.

Walking down the hill and the first glimpse...

And the last as I leave!

It was a beautiful warm sunny day... The tide's out

so lots of sand to walk on.

Some kayaker's and lots of seaweed washed up by the

recent storms and wind.

Looking out to more of the 144 islands that make up this

Bay of Islands area.

I walked right round to the far end. Tradition has it

 that the rocks at the far end must be touched... 

Then you can say you have walked to the end of Long Beach!

All the rocks that are exposed at low tide. There are

mussels on some of them  but quite small still.

I left them there to grow bigger.

I'm at the end, touched the rock...

Then sat in the sun and read my book and had a nap...

Before walking back.

A Couple of Recipies... My Turn To Cook Dinner!

 It was my turn to cook dinner. Sweet & Sour Pork I decided.

The pork is marinating and the vegetables chopped.

 The end result... It was delicious, there was none left!

RECIPE

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari

1 egg white

Put all in a bowl add pork pieces and chill 1 hour

Prepare whatever vegetables you like, chopped into

similar size and shaped pieces

Heat a little oil in a pan and cook pork pieces till brown.

Lift out and put aside.

Add a little more oil and stir fry vegetables till tender.

Lift out and put aside.

Sauce - In the same pan put

1 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1 tablespoon soya sauce or tamari

Bring to boil, stir in pork and vegetables

Add 1 can pineapple pieces and juice

Return to boil. Thicken with 2 tablespoons

cornflour mixed with 1/4 cup water.

Serve over rice, couscous, pasta or quinoa.

Then I made dessert... I was given a bag of limes

some of them Key Limes so I made...

KEY LIME PIE

Biscuit base... 1 pkt Digestive biscuits, crushed

130gr melted butter

2 tab sugar

Mix together and press into a tin with a removable base.

Can cook 8 minutes at 160deg or just chill.

 

 All sorts of limes... Even the little orange ones are limes...

Sour as, when I tasted them!

Separate 3 large eggs. Only use yolks - beat till thick & pale

add 1 can condensed milk, beat thoroughly

Slowly add 1/2 - 3/4 cup lime juice, beat till very thick

Soak 10gr gelatine in 3 tablespoons cold water in a

small pan for 10 minutes then heat gently till dissolved.

When cool stir into pie mix, pour over biscuit base. Chill

Scatter grated zest of 3 limes over the top.

Serve with whipped cream.

 Mmmm... Closely resembles a cheesecake but with a lovely

tart flavour. To make gluten free make the

base from crushed nuts... Hazel nuts are delicious.

Bon Appetit...