A trip up to the Hastings hospital today. I have to have a driver as they put stuff in my eye to dilate the pupils so Jill is it. On the way back we had a little cruise around where we used to live in the 1980's when I was winemaker for Te Mata Estate and my, haven't things changed? Magnificent houses full of affluent people ,(well they'd have to be!) but probably with less people living in them than your average humble residential suburb. At the end of Te Mata Road is Te Mata Cheeses and their cafe. Just a "cafe sandwich" but it was magnificent! Beautiful crusty bread full of soft cheese, sliced corned beef, salad and guacamole. Before that , a trip to Aratiki Honey nearby where you can taste different honeys and follow their very well laid out journey from flower to honey and the bees life. We bought some bulk honey, poured into a container we had brought with us, as, although we had not visited since 1985 we knew the facility was available. In addition one can buy small pots of honey of a myriad flavours. Made a note that we would like to take some grandchildren to see their display- very educational. You can try a range of honeys and little spoons are provided in a self serve counter with pump pots supplying the honey. I met some Chinese visitors who asked if it was ok to try honey so we showed them how and got into a conversation with them. He was from China and she was from Hong Kong and that stimulated some conversation regarding our time in Hong Kong last year. Nice kids.
Then back home with me still squinting in the sun!