We take the train into Wellington and what a glorious ride it is – right alongside the foreshore with sea to the left and hills to the right. Our plan was to look around some of the art galleries but, being Monday, most are closed and one has moved! Consolation was fantastic flat whites at Mojo Coffee https://mojo.coffee/ We decide to visit the Portrait Gallery. Now I understand that each person has a different reaction to art, any art, but my goodness I don’t think I’ve ever seen such miserable looking portraits. Not one with anything other than misery, sorrow & gloom. Not for me I’m afraid. Still, good to see that in the join in art space, they had two of the activities that I’ve done with children in school! A beer was needed and we managed to find a spot right on the waterfront with super soft cushions – https://dockside.co.nz/ After a very lazy beer, we meander over to the Old Government Buildings, known locally as the wooden buildings, they are reputedly the largest wooden buildings in the Southern Hemisphere. Don’s Dad worked here when he worked for the Education Department. It is a stunning building. It even has the original old two grill door lift! https://www.visitheritage.co.nz/visit/wellington/old-government-buildings We walk over to the Parliament Buildings where we aim to have a tour. Unfortunately we will have to return another day as they are all booked out.

Our next trip into Wellington started with a coffee and then a visit to Old St. Paul’s Cathedral. Even though we’d visited 10 years ago, I’m so pleased we went back. It is just a glorious building to be in. Such a beautiful wooden structure built from native New Zealand timber – Matai, Totara, Rimu and Kauri. After spending some time here, we walk around the corner to the new Cathedral – brutal some might say. It is described as Art Deco. Very different to the Old St. Paul’s.

Our next stop was the New Zealand Parliament Buildings tour. We see a short film about the buildings and why they are so very different – the architect produced a radical design for the new wing which is nicknamed the ‘Beehive’ – before our guide takes us to select spaces. We stop in the Briefing room – where all of the government press conferences are held (options for a selfie here – just not behind the podium!) Then on to one of the Select Committee rooms – the Women’s Room. Some lovely photos of former ministers and Prime Ministers. Then on to the Debating Chamber with strict instructions not to go outside the barrier or the inner circle! Finally on to what was the Upper House Chamber (equivalent to the Lords in the UK). State Opening of Parliament happens here. An interesting tour. We also stopped in at the National Library where we are able to see the Treaty of Waitangi, the Declaration of Independence and the original Suffragette Petition scroll that was signed by over 23,000 women for the right to vote. NZ was the first country to give women the vote in 1893. It has been digitised and you can look up your family name to see if any of the women in your family signed – so we did and there was Don’s Great Great Grandmother, M A Welch! Just amazing to see that yet again his family had an impact on New Zealand – if only in a small way.

A very big drive around the bays of Wellington on our final day of being tourists! WOW, the coastline around the harbour is so very different as you drive from bay to bay. We stop at Chocolate Fish for coffee and a date scone https://www.chocolatefishcafe.co.nz/ Calm waters around the city waterfront become crashing waves as you get further around to the south coast. Our final stop is Cuba Street – a quirky, slightly edgy alternative street. Even the crossing lights reflect this! We have a drink at Ascot https://concreteplayground.com/wellington/bars/the-ascot before a Malaysian at Rasa for dinner. Oh, and a stop by the Bucket Fountain!