Saturday dawned a cracker and we were out on bikes for the day as Dan gave us a tiki tour of New Plymouth comprising loops of various sizes. First up was some nice rooty track through suburban native forest before joining one of the many pathways that follow the lower reaches of various waterways flowing to the Tasman. Beside one of these were two large rope swings strung up in trees on the back of someone’s property.
Proper decent rope swings; it was not easy jumping off makeshift platforms onto the ropes – great fun but.
We wound our way downtown, pausing briefly to check out some murals and numerous eels slithering around another stream.
Down to the coastal pathway, near the infamous Wind Wand – this is about the only thing I remember about New Plymouth from my university holiday job in South Taranaki – it was the topic of much conversation in the smoko room.
Jacqui, Dan, Adele and James just before heading west on the pathway.
A lovely day, the pathway was chocka with people out walking, riding and running. Fantastic to see, it reminded me of home.
Passing the port, we rode up towards the base of Paritutu Rock.
A super steep climb up above the coast, bikes were left behind as we scrambled up. Staircases took us about halfway and then chains were strung down the face to aid climbing. Once again, plenty of people were out enjoying the sun.
Atop, we looked out over Sugar Loaf Islands and could just spot some offshore platforms.
East we looked along the coast, past the port and a disused power station.
Floating roof tanks! Oh, and the city. I rankled a little bit at the industry-is-ugly comments.
Hidden in the cloud was Mt Taranaki.
The walk down was tough in MTB shoes and torture on my legs – which were starting to ache after the previous day’s descent off the mountain.
A little further west we enjoyed a bit of beachside riding – my legs were at least still good for cycling and some nasty little grassy pinch climbs.
Looping back up beside another stream we came across a smattering of shops – definitely time for lunch. Dumplings were procured and we found a picnic table on the shore to eat, literally, scores of the tasty morsels.
Back towards Paritutu, note the sax player adding a touch of class to our seaside meal.
The slight detour back into town was unsuccessful in obtaining cronuts, alas; but this building is striking.
We continued west with ample distractions to look at – and still numerous people to avoid banging into.
This striking bridge is even more so when the mountain behind us is not shrouded in cloud.
Heading home we found a bakery for more treats and yet another pathway beside a river to get us most of the way back. An altogether lovely day out in a very pleasant little city; good weather, food and company sure helps too. It’s a pity New Plymouth is five and a half hours’ drive away.
Most of the public events centre around Marine Parade and the sound shell – opposite the wonderful Masonic, where many gathered.
Cars weren’t the only historic vehicles out and about.
Saturday afternoon’s vintage car parade was well attended by umbrellas. The Bentley club was in town from all over, impressive.
Beautiful cars, and many of them – those in open-topped ones looked decidedly damp.
There was plenty of opportunity to admire the vehicles afterwards.
This number plate caught my eye.
A few of the cars were originally from Napier.
Bikes even got a look in.
More Bentleys.
OK, there may have been more looking at cars.
I bumped into many people from work over the weekend – this time an American visitor, Jody, who I managed to get this photo (and the better ones in this post) from.
Yes, more cars – particularly struck by the body work on this one.
This was probably the oldest car around.
I did manage to get another photo of myself from an obliging passerby.
The Gatsby Picnic got moved off the soggy lawn it is always on, most picnicers went down the main street of town – this couple set up near Tom Parker Fountain and seemed to spend more time posing for photos than eating.
So many choices; I want to know if Colin’s cat is still in the same place.
Looking around the Bay from outside the motel work put me in for my first two weeks – very handy. That’s pretty much half of my commute around there – tough alright.
Looking over to Mahia Peninsula and the top of Hawke Bay.
Port Napier (from which our pulp is exported) and the only hill in Napier – this end is called Bluff Hill, the other (out of shot) – Hospital Hill.
Looking south from the hill over Napier and on to Cape Kidnappers – the southern most part of Hawke Bay.
Over Ahuriri Estuary at dusk – on the other side of the motel.
The public space along the Pacific waterfront is rather long – this a small part near the centre of the city.
In this part is also the much-photographed statue of 
Another view from Bluff Hill over Marine Parade.
A cathedral apparently – a bit different to those I’m more used to.
The Six Sisters – also on Marine Parade – remind me of being in San Francisco for some reason.