Windy Wellington but at last sunshine

Well today we woke up to the sound of rain and while that is a lovely sound it was a bit disappointing as we have had enough rain on this holiday. But like all intrepid travellers we looked at the sky, packed our umbrellas and had both a plan a and b if we needed them.

After breakfast and a shower we finally got going at about 11am - the travellers in the motor homes were also on the road late with many not surfacing till after 10.30am - it is noisy enough to wake with rain in a luxurious apartment but very noisy in a tined roof mobile home - many of them would not have got much sleep that is for sure.

We drove into Wellington CBD and what a nightmare their parking is!!!! After several attempts we paid $10 for the day parking at the Quay - it was honestly the best we could do.... and very frustrating, crammed and expensive at that. Never mind with the car parked we got on our way.

First stop was the Art Gallery as it was still raining cats and dogs at this time. And here I have to say the building is most interesting. The architecture is classical in a sort of sandstone colour but someone, no joke, had painted spots all over it!!!!! As an art work - in the 1930s.I thought it was pretty strange - I certainly didn't think it added to the building or the experience at all....

We saw a great exhibition by an avant-guard Japanese painter which was great. I have also found it interesting that no other work was exhibited while her show was on - this happened in W(h)anganui as well.... must be a NZ thing..... or maybe a lack of physical space - not to worry it was different and really unusual with lots of soft sculpture, film, lights and paintings.


Next we decided to go on the cable car as the weather had fined up. So for $3 we took a ride up the top and got off at the Botanical Gdns. We went to the museum and then off to walk through the gardens, stopping at the observatory. On the way down we visited the rose gardens, which were just a little early for blooming, and then we found a really exciting discovery.

There was a wonderful cemetery of the pioneers of the region. When the motorway was built they sadly had to disturb the graves and three and a half thousand people were moved along with the headstones to another site. But walking through this piece of history was an unforgettable experience and I loved it.


We had a quick coffee to avoid rush hour and found an excellent shop who prepared foods to heat up and so we bought some vege friendly food and will be enjoying those tonight for dinner.
We will be glad to leave this windy spot for the beautiful south island tomorrow. life is good - and early morning tomorrow to catch the ferry ..... but luckily we looked at it today and know how to get there. Having lots of fun....that is for sure.