We left the genteel environs the west end of Waiheke to visit the remote east end where multi-dwelling estates dazzled us with their vineyards, private docks, and horse pastures.

We went for a hike that took us past more vines and sheep fields.

There were sheep everywhere but they are very focused on the ground that sprouts their food.

S tried to whisper them closer with some greener grass from the other side of their fence, but unlike a horse, a sheep is not a very clever thing.

We took a million pictures of sheep, searching for the essence of rural New Zealand.

Their incessant grazing shapes the land and the people in it …

like John, the evangelical fence mender, with his trusty herd dog Flo.

Flo is all business unless John is busy with fences, then she naps and looks for rabbits.

On the way home Z and S stopped to get a kite out of a tree.

Back at the boat the girls flew the kite off the spinning rod,

while Z & K went for a chilly swim.