Weekends away

---

Making the most of our extended holiday and to escape getting into the trap of 9-5 (which it actually is over here!) we try to go away most weekends. Auckland is in a great position and it is really easy to get to loads of different places within a few hours. We were also fortunate enough to bump into a couple of like minded Brits, Mo and Simon (aka Mr and Mrs Snow) who have turned into our weekend away buddies.

Since we have been in Auckland we have had weekends away in Raglan (surf capital of NZ), Waiheke (wine growing island just off Auckland), the Coromandel and the West coast beaches (made famous in the film 'the Piano').

---

Photos

Karekare - "The Piano" beach
Beach made famous by the film 'The Piano' - about 2 hours west of Auckland

Piha
We managed to arrive in Piha the weekend of the national life saving championships (and got drunk with all the life savers in the evening)

Adele in reading mode
Waipu Cove beach

Rummicub in Raglan
Rummicub with Mr and Mrs Snow in Raglan - Mr Snow's birthday weekend treat!

Bridal Veil falls -
Cool waterfall near Raglan

Climing the mountain of love
tramping in the Coromandal

Te Aroha
at the top of the mountain of love - Te Aroha. Stunning views over the Coromandal

The Goldminers cottage
We stayed in this awesome cottage during our jolly in the Coromandal - pictured here with the Snows

Opoutere
Another top beach in the Coromandels

Hot Water Beach
Simon sitting with all the kids in hot water beach - hot springs come through the sand - better than it sounds!

Views over Cathedral Cove
More of the Coromandels

Waiheke
Views from our Waiheke vineyard lunch

Afternoon wine tasting
The commencement of an afternoon of fancy wine drinking in one of Waiheke's many vineyards