A fine looking morning

Looking from the house to the local school where we can hear the hand bell calling the children into school, what a setting.

We ventured out to look for a supermarket and a cafe serving breakfast, we came across the Library Cafe in the small town of Waihi a few miles from the house. I ordered food and John nipped across to the Kiwi bank for some cash but had a problem using the ATM. And the cafe didn't accept credit cards resulting in a strange few minutes, we have no cash. The lovely young woman in the cafe suggested trying another bank, this we did where again the staff proved helpful, although there wasn't a lot they could do. There was only one thing to do, try another ATM and risk locking the card or worse loosing it in the machine. Fortunately this time all went well and we relaxed with a handfull of notes to pay for breakfast. Back to cafe where the young woman serving us smiled with relief. A while later when in a book shop a woman approached to ask if we had sorted the cards out, apparently she was in the cafe when the problem of debit&credit cards and ATMs that didn't work was mulled over. Loudly I imagine.

When travelling in Europe we take a normal credit card and a euro loaded debit card using the latter where possible. On this journey we are using Halifax Clarity credit card and a global loaded card which will convert sterling to the local currency. It was quite a shock when the first ATM refused both of John's cards and the cafe didn't take CC's.

The 'extra photo' Is showing a view of one of the streets in Waihi.The fine morning has gone, now a wet afternoon.