Kerikeri Country Fair

Sunday 29th March 2009 and the Fair was in town!

The weekly fruit & veg market is held in the town every sunday morning but this week there was also the Country Fair to enjoy - sponsored by the local Lions group, the event is a big affair - streets were closed and stalls replaced cars in the roads - a funfair was set up on the domain for the younger children and the stall holders offered passers by sliced white bread sandwiches of sausage, bacon and eggs or cheese - there were arts and crafts and sculptures and photography on show and for sale, Kauri carvings, plaited floor mats, baskets and hats, carved wooden masks and pottery, all types of food and drink and jewellery and books, clothes, nuts, fruit, conserves the list goes on - suffice to say it was a colourful and varied fair offering all sorts for everyone.

We spent a very pleasant morning browsing the stalls and we also managed to buy a beautiful mounted photograph which shows Mount Paku, Tairua, at sunrise - we stayed there just a few weeks ago and could not resist purchasing what we think is a super capture and what is a great souvenir.

Kerikeri, Bay of Islands

During our time here in Kerikeri we have enjoyed some fabulous late summer sunshine. Perfect weather for exploring the local area.

The area is rich in history and has lots of attractive shops, delightful restaurants and cafes, (www.cafeblue.co.nz), high quality wineries, (www.marsdenestate.co.nz), and a collection of art and craft centres. We can see why it is one of NZ's top visitior destinations, and, of all the places we have been lucky enough to enjoy here in NZ, Kerikeri is where we would lay our hat(s), if the opportunity presented itself. Still plenty more of our world to see though so, maybe in a few years when we are ready to settle somewhere more permanent!

Since our arrival in Kerikeri we have spent a lot of time simply enjoying the fine weather and taking care of the lovely home, garden and pets here.

Our trips out have included visits to Kerikeri Basin and Kerikeri Mission House.
In the Kerikeri Basin, there is a network of walking tracks and we have walked several of them. After lunch at The Landing Restaurant we took one of these walks which took us downstream from the Stone Store to Kororipo Pa, dating back before 1775 and the European settlement of New Zealand, Kororipo was, at one stage, the home pa of Hongi Hika, the famous Ngapuhi fighting chief.

On another occasion we explored the Kerikeri Inlet and further up the Kerikeri river walked to the majestic Rainbow Falls - a spectacular 27 metre waterfall.

We also discovered Opito Bay, a safe and secluded beach on the Kerikeri Inlet. We took a walk from the beach through native bush to Ake Ake point where there are magnificent views over the Bay of Islands.

New Zealand wines.......

One of the great surprises here in New Zealand for us has been the tremendous quality and selection of NZ wines. We have always enjoyed New World wines, Australian reds being our favourites.

However, whilst the reds here are thin on the ground (although we did get to try a lovely Central Otago Pinot Noir), the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris that we have tried have been exceptional.

We were particularly enchanted with a Sav Blanc from "Thornbury" - those of you who live in our home town of Bristol will appreciate the reference to Thornbury (a thriving village on the outskirts of town). We will miss many things about New Zealand, their delightful wines will be one of them.