Out and about: Makara, Wairarapa and Otaki

It proved difficult for Dora to extract herself from her South Island electric car tour, so when she eventually made it back from Invercargill we relaxed into last weekend with a day of odd jobs. Come Sunday, however, we awoke reenergised and ready for the annual Xterra West Wind run.

Dora was sound teching for the event’s videographer, interviewing runners and taking photos (aka protecting her gammy foot) so I kept myself entertained on the 18km course. One rocky beach, three gut-wrenching hills and some pleasant wind-turbine- scattered scenery later I popped out at the end. I was a couple of seconds slower than last year, but content that I had given it my all.

Check out the resulting official video (spot Roger) here on Dora's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dora.coventry

We finished off the weekend by hosting Rich, Lucy, Matt and Laura over for Sunday roast. The highlight was some pork crackling was too perfect to be repeated.

Sunset in the big smoke from my Ibis Budget tiny loft room balcony

[Dora] During the week I attended a conference in Auckland with my electric-car co-driver Jaimee, all about content (basically stuff that a brand produces). We got to watch some very cool videos from the likes of GoPro and Nike, whilst trying to work out in our heads how we could make electricity similarly exciting. Luckily, we have an electric car!

Roger watched the All Whites play Fiji during the week

Wellington fog stranded half the country's working population in Auckland, so I had the opportunity to see Tom, Sophie and Sylvie briefly and babysit Sylvie (piece of cake - sleeping baby!), which was a silver lining. I weasled my way onto a flight the next day, home in time to take Friday off with Mum.

Under a blue sky we headed over the windy Rimutaka road to the plains and vineyards of the Wairarapa. In Martinborough we browsed little boutiquey shops and walked round the pretty, leafy town square to work up an appetite. It had to be Poppies for lunch, where we shared a glass of rose and a complementary platter, served by Shane himself (Poppy's husband). After ogling the vineyard wedding venue, we set off for the river. I'd found this spot with Sophie and Adam a few months earlier and it was just as perfect for swimming but much colder in April! We plunged and felt refreshed.

Back in Wellington we visited St Paul's Cathedral to see my namesake Dora's bell, and the chapel. We also lit a candle for family friends who recently lost their Mum to cancer. 

[Roger] Then last weekend we headed up to Otaki on the Kapiti coast, where Dora’s family have a bach. Aunt Trish and Uncle Andrew joined us there for lunch with Aunt Helen (other side of the family!), walks on the beach, tales from Margaret and Trish's childhood, a slow-cooked lamb dinner and plenty of lazing on deck chairs.

Moody Otaki Beach and Kapiti Island

On the way back we dabbled in the Tararua Mountain Range with an hour hike, but the weather soon closed in and chased us back to Windy Wellington.

This week Dora (again!) headed off for some electric car fun. In retaliation I flew up to Auckland to meet my Mum and her partner Duncan and welcome them to Middle Earth and their Easter adventure with us.