Day Out with SLG

Last week we enjoyed a day out with our Super Leisure Group friends, down at Paekakariki.  The translation of the Maori place name means “the perching place of the kakariki or green parrot”.  However, the hills don't seem to be alive with kakariki birds any more, sadly, perhaps because of European settlement, forests cut down  and introduced species taking their toll on these pretty little parrots.

On our trip down we stopped off at Shirley’s here in Levin.  Strawberry season has arrived and Shirley’s is the place to go.  Fresh strawberries are delicious and we often have our with our cereal for breakfast.  And as dessert too, of course.  Here the berries are drying out on trays before being packed in containers for sale.

Strawberry time at Shirley’s

Our purchases complete, we then drove down to Paekakariki, where we were lunching at Fisherman’s Table.  This restaurant is situated right on the sea front and gives a lovely view of Kapiti Island.  There was nothing for it, I just had to wrestle with the door onto the deck and take a photo or two.

Fisherman’s Table and Kapiti Island

We were the first to arrive, but the others weren't too far behind us.  Then came the difficult task of what to choose for lunch.  It was Ashley's turn to organise our day out and he chose this restaurant, as he was very fond of the “world famous in Kapiti” Salad Boat.  This is a  feature of this restaurant, with all sorts of interesting salads laid out in bowls inside a small boat.  But in these Covid times this was not available, and the salads were served in individual bowls with each order.  In keeping with the coastal surroundings, I chose salmon, and Robin had crumbed fish. 

Ashley had recently celebrated his BIG 80th Birthday, so we had a little presentation for him.  Happy Birthday Ashley, that is certainly something to celebrate.

Happy Birthday Ashley

We all enjoyed our meals, and as usual there was plenty of chatter, with us all putting the world to rights.  It was so nice to catch up with everyone again, and we are fortunate we can visit restaurants and cafes when other parts of the country are in restrictions and cannot. 

Robin, Jenny, Helen, Calvin, Yvonne, Ashley and Trish