Wash day! After a day with long car trips we today backspace one gear. In the morning I decide to start the washing machine. Unfortunately the machine is dependent from the water pressure as well as the shower – and there barely is pressure. I have to fill up the machine manually with countless loads from the kettle to get a notable water level. I never before watched a washing machine so intensively, I hardly dare to leave the room. Armed with the kettle full of water I wait for every chance to refill.

After one hour it’s done. But now – where to put the laundry? I find a rope inside a cupboard and ty it around three of the terrace posts. Pegs are deposited beside the washing machine. I am really proud of my talent for improvisation. Later on we leave for a walk and looking back to the house from the gateway I can see the rotary clothes dryer in the front garden.

The next village lies within walking distance so we decide to go there on foot. We like the little town of Mangonui. It has at least got what might be called a center with shops and restaurants. There is a market taking place in the “War Memorial Hall” today, but apart from one table with bags of tomatoes and rocket they only offer home-made handworks. I buy a pretty scarf as a present for my mum for Christmas. The lovely old lady at once identifies me as a foreigner, she thinks I am Australian. So my English can’t be that bad!

They built a heritage trail to attract tourists, bypassing all buildings that in the past may have been important. Mangonui started its career as a whaling harbour. You barely see really old buildings, rather hints where they once have stood. Nevertheless it is a very nice roundtrip we absolutely recommend.

On our way we are able to add two more birds to our list. We earnestly see a Kingfisher sitting on an electric wire, and some Pied Shags are standing on the rocks in the bay, their wings outstretched for drying. In Maori they are called “Karuhiruhi”. It is amazing: Here in New Zealand we are more aware of birds of all kinds. At home you barely pay attention and if you see one you often don’t even now what it’s called.

The rest of the day we spent reading. Gernot and I cuddle up with our books in the cosy lounge and giggle in turn because of the „100 year old who climbed through the window and disappeared“.