Blue skies smilin’ at . . . all of us
Kiwi Debra Howell and her American husband, Cody, were feeling privileged to be basking under sunny clear blue skies in Taranaki yesterday.
The couple are on an extended sixmonth honeymoon after being married last month, days after finishing their time in managed isolation following their return to New Zealand.
They met while hiking the Appalachian Trail, in the eastern United States, in 2019, and after spending the next 142 days together knew they were meant to be.
‘‘Imagine spending 24 hours a day, seven days a week with your partner from the moment you met them,’’ Debra said.
She was living in Canada at the time, and as the Covid-19 pandemic continued to sweep the world she decided to apply for a partnership visa so she could return home with Cody.
He said he felt fortunate to be in New Zealand as case numbers in America topped 21 million with more than 360,000 deaths.
‘‘It was just based on our relationship that they let me in. It’s great to be away from the pandemic at the moment.’’
They arrived in New Plymouth on Monday and camped overnight in the picturesque setting of Lake Rotomanu.
‘‘The pohutukawas are stunning right now,’’ Debra, who hails from Auckland, said. ‘‘I love it down here.’’
Cody said the weather had been fantastic and hoped it would continue when they attempted to climb Mt Taranaki today. ‘‘I came to explore her home country.’’
Taranaki beaches, rivers and lakes were popular places to be yesterday as the spell of balmy summer weather continued, but Metservice meteorologist Thomas Adams warned rain was on the horizon. Adams said today would be fine with some high cloud, but then things would change.
‘‘The real burst of rain will come through Thursday to Friday.’’
He said there could be a few showers during the weekend but nothing like the downpours experienced last Saturday.
At Lake Rotomanu, Boyde Brown was enjoying a more sedate time sailing his radio-controlled yacht.
‘‘I just like to come out each fine day and sail it,’’ Brown said.
Nearby, 4-year-old McKenzie Parker was busy feeding ducks.