Moving around the North Island plus more cello selfies (or Cellfies as they're now known!)

We've completed the first week of the tour and had a great time so far. Arriving into Auckland on St Patrick's Day really reinforced that feeling I always get on arriving down under. You travel half way across the world, as far as you can go, and emerge into a world which feels just like home! There were plenty of Irish pubs to choose from (though we were unlucky as the one we chose had run out of Guinness by 6pm!) Plenty of live music and "Craic" all over town. Also lovely to feel the warmth of the sun after a long European winter.
The first concert was in a lovely university concert hall in Hamilton, passing Hobbiton on the way though sadly no time to call in and see it for ourselves. This was the country's oldest music society and they were rightly proud of their great new auditorium, Gallagher Academy, which we heard all about with nibbles and drinks after the concert, audience and committee alike chatting like old friends.
Next day was Auckland, in the fabulous Town Hall, as part of the Auckland Festival. Had a great walk down to the bay with the committee then dined in the open under a spectacular sky, Jupiter and Venus vying for supremacy amongst millions of (unfamiliar) stars! And the next morning the Queen Mary sailed into port - what a sight!

Flying down to Napier, I was aware of its name from wine labels, entering as we were the famous Hawkes Bay region, but I didn't know about its Art Deco architecture, a silver lining on the cloud that was a terrible earthquake in the '30s. Re-building at the height of the style's popularity, the townsfolk decided to make their mark. It is truly wonderful - feels like walking through a Hollywood film set, old cars and quaint shops lining the streets. As it's one of my favourite periods of architecture I was delighted to wander the streets taking snap shots.

We had a short chat-show appearance on TV Hawkes Bay, which was great fun. Lovely audience for the concert later in the MTG Theatre and gorgeous after-show nibbles and chat again - well into the night with plenty of great wine!
We drove the next leg, across the North Island to New Plymouth. A seven and a half hour drive…. see next instalment!


More cello selfies - or "Cellfies" ;)

I must say, at my age (230) a transcontinental flight is somewhat challenging, but I made it. And look what was waiting to greet me on arrival at Auckland! I am a fan of Lord of the Rings so this is one of my most treasured cellfies yet! Drove past Hobbiton the next day too, but they wouldn't let me out of the car…meanies.

The view from my room (sea-view obvs) getting ready to hit the town on St Paddy's Day!