The following day Rowan and I are prepared to keep walking. We tell them about the river and Lisa offers to take us to Bulls. We are extremely tempted as the road walking is removing all of our motivation and spirit. We decide to take her up on her offer. Next thing we know one of the kids needs a babysitter and Lisa’s mum is feeling unwell and she takes her to the ER. We end up with little Leo (3) cute as a button and quite bilingual. I have fun playing with him and he takes to me easily and even comes for a cuddle when he gets hurt. Shane says he normally isn’t like that, I guess all those Aunty skills are coming out. From then on I am aunty Kate! The day disappears and we head into town for dinner and to hope that Lisa is done at the hospital. The restaurant we head to is closed so we end up at Kowhai Park and get Mexican takeaways from Shane’s brothers place. Rowan and I insist on paying. We add two more moko (grandkids) Aria and Wizey.

Kowhai Park is famous and I can see why! I get playing straight away. The place was built in the 60s by some locals who just wanted to make a playground. It is super cool and I am glad the local council keeps it well maintained. Wizey and Leo stay the night.

The following day we decide to head in to town for lunch at the place we missed out on for dinner. Lisa is back at the hospital and Shane gives us the keys to their van and says it hasn’t had a good drive in a while and for us to head in before him. Talk about trusting, it is a really nice fancy van. Bula Bure is open, yay. This is run by a Fijian and a kiwi. The day is hot and the music is authentic. We sit down and I feel like we really are at a restaurant in the Pacific Islands. We order food with Shane’s fish and chips but tell the kitchen not to cook them yet. The food is delicious and huge, we can’t eat it all.

Shane calls to say he is coming after all and we can wait for him or we can head back to their place. We happily wait and read our books. A bus load of people come in a full family of Fijians which add to the whole feel. One of the lovely ladies comes over and introduces herself, she gives me a big hug and says we must be the hikers staying with Lisa & Shane. Not long after Shane arrives and we get his food ordered. The owners come out and chat to us too. Before we know it we have become part of a big group and Lisa also arrives. There is 2 grandkids in tow today and there is a huge playground outside so we barely see them. Before we know it the time is 5pm. Owners Ashleigh and Robert come back with 4 of their kids for dinner. Rowan cooks up a huge curry and we end up with Aria and two of Robert & Ashlieghs kids.