Well, it took most of my life before I made it to Waiheke Island – and then only two years to get back there. Good time on the island for sure. We had a few days in Auckland and kicked it off with a stay in Waiheke – early flight to the big city and then straight into town and on a 9am crossing – by mid-morning we were up at the place and getting ready for the beach and basically it felt like we were in another country, certainly in another world.

I say this and recognise how lucky we are – globally but also just as people in New Zealand we are lucky. Very lucky. Particularly since it’s my brother’s beach-house.

The boat ride over is good – you get a coffee, read your book – get there. You wear a mask (which you’re allowed to relax on if eating or drinking). And then, for us, it was two days and nights of beaching, a bit of paddle-boarding, home-cooked meals and drinks on a balcony to watch the sun go down.

I’ve been lucky to have two nice trips to Waiheke. I couldn’t live there, wouldn’t want to – but I’m grateful for the opportunities to visit.
Stubs is an occasional feature here at Off The Tracks – looking back through the ticket-stub box and remembering how the show went down.