We woke early and set off from Thames across the mountains to the East Coast. We hiked up a mountain at Tairua - the views were fanatastic!! Then we travelled north to Cathedral Cave, we didnt realise that it was a 45minute walk each way to the Cave!! We had to jog some of the way so as we didn't waste too much time. It was hard going, up hill and down dale, and those stairs!!! But we made it and the view was beautiful. We then travelled to the hot springs beach. This is amazing!! You hire a spade and dig a hole in the sand and the water is not just hot but boiling (bubbling and boiling) it is fascinating. We even burnt our knees and toes! We had lunch here and then hurried ... read more

This morning we woke to a beautiful sunrise over Hokianga Harbour. We had a quiet breakfast headed off to catch the 10am car ferry across the harbour. We visited the beautiful Hokianga Harbour and took some lovely pictures of where the harbour flows out to the sea. We then drove to the Kauri Forest and took a picture of the largest Kauri tree. I had to take a little video of it to get it all in as it was so enormous. From there we travelled to Kai Iwi Lakes, which are a series of three lakes, which contrast from the bluest blue to a deep green. Steve and I had a picnic lunch here, it was lovely. We then drove on down the West Coast to a town called Dargaville. We visited the Museum there. ... read more

Today we woke to a beautiful sunny morning. We had lots to do and no time to do it all. We quickly ran to the wharf and boarded the Mac Attack, a fast boat to take us to the 'hole in the rock' and the 'cathedral cave'. It was fabulous, the scenery was great!! We then went over to visit Russell, which was the Capital of New Zealand originally. It is a lovely little town, and Steve and I walked our legs off!! We had a cuppa on the waterfront before catching a ferry back to the mainland. We bought a chicken salad for dinner so as I could sleep without worrying!!! A very good day, we had to get to bed early because we have to get up at 5.30am to drive to Kaitaia. (will ... read more

The intrepid explorers have left Whangarei today and headed off to Paihia in the Bay of Islands so I have taken the chance to update their blog in their absence. This morning I left work to meet for morning tea at our Library - see the photos!... read more

We are very excited as we are about to set off to visit my family in New Zealand. We are really looking forward to our holiday and hope to see as much as we can in the short time that we will be there.... read more