Travelogue No 7. Bichael Marrymore
My brother in law Mick took me for an early morning ride up to a high point overlooking the bay to one side and the flat valley to the other. I forgot my camera. The sun glinted off the tiny specks of waves and the heat of the day slowly dispersed the pre-dawn chill. Back to base and we pulled ourselves together for a trip into Wellington to watch dragon boat racing with the family.
We watched a couple of the dragon boat races but the sun quickly became a problem so Lisa and I seperated from the others and headed for a drink and some lunch. Our first choice was a bit of a washout as its small menu was made even smaller by a complete lack of any salad. We hoiked our noses and took our business elsewhere. Our second choice was a wise one. We sipped on Sols on a sun drenched terrace as the sea lapped the dock piles beneath us and the world went on. The waiters busied around giving out free sun hats and sunscreen to anyone looking in distress. Here's Lisa looking chuffed with her free sun hat in New Zealand. (this pic was taken a bit later by my 5 year old niece, you can see her in the reflection of Lisa's glasses)
Lunch arrived and deserved a fanfare. I had Pan fried grooper on a greek salad with reduced balsamic. The balsamic was thick and almost chocolatey. A victory in every sense. I actually bade the chef my compliments.
I watched as a waitress conveyed another free sun hat to another needy balding man. But this was no ordinary balding man. Oh no. Oh no indeed. This balding man was none other than Michael Barrymore. Respecting his privacy I leant over to Lisa and quietly whispered 'that's Michael Barrymore over there, don't look too obviously'. 'NO IT ISN'T!!!!' she replied loudly followed by a shrill 'IT IS, IT IS HIM'. When I eventually ducked out from beneath the table he was still there enjoying his meal with friends. Due to Lisa's lack of respect for privacy here's Michael Barrymore having lunch two tables away from us in New Zealand. He's the one with his back to us.
And here's me looking towards Michael Barrymore in New Zealand. The beard is really coming on now.
We stretched ourselves with a pudding. Mine was Orange Cheesecake. Again superb. Bidding my new friend Michael au revoir we staggered, chock full of class A food and Sol back into the heat and melee of the harbour. Over the far side we bumped into my sister and family and watched a powerboat race. The noise was immense. The giant craft skipped and jumped over the waves. The spray causing a rainbow behind every boat. Here's some Powerboats off New Zealand.
A screw.
A starfish. Make up your own jokes.
One all I'd say. More wandering followed and then back to base. I dived head first into the paddling pool and after tea Lisa and I went for a trek into town along the river. Again we forgot the camera but watching the sun disappear behind a not too distant mountain was a romantic end to a super day. Everything is Great.
The reason I've posted this tonight and not tomorrow is that we're off to Lake Taupo in the morning for a couple of days with the family so I don't think I'll get on-line. The sky dive is all booked for my oldest niece Katie and I on Monday morning 11am local time, that's 10pm Sunday GMT. Please say a prayer/raise a glass/think of me as I dive head first out of a plane for no good reason.