New Plymouth to Otorohanga

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We woke up to the sound of rain and sheep baaing this morning. It didn’t take long for the rain to clear up; although it did drizzle off and on over the morning. E & S got to help their Auntie Vicki bottle feed the lambs, put some food out for the chooks, and pet the sheep. This was the highlight of their visit to New Plymouth! After all this, Elizabeth and Vicki had a jam session on the piano, while Samuel, back in his element, built with lego. More sad farewells as we had to leave New Plymouth today to fit in our other planned stops.

The coastal drive from New Plymouth to Waitomo District was very scenic. We stopped briefly in Mokau. The beaches here look very wild and windswept. There is driftwood all over the place. The drive from Waitomo to Otorohanga was through some beautiful forested areas, limestone bluff and farmland. We were going to head for Raglan today but it was already after 5pm when we arrived in Otorohanga. We wanted to stop in and visit the Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park but it was closed. We found that they had their own little campsite adjacent to the park so we decided to camp here for the night. We did a pleasant trek through the bush area to stretch our legs and take advantage of the extra hour of daylight due to daylight savings having started earlier in the week.

Being beside the kiwi park meant we were treated to the call of the kiwi in the night, being a nocturnal bird. We also got to view a spectacular display of stars in the sky. We never see this many stars in the Canadian night sky!

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Photos

New Plymouth
Elizabeth feeding a lamb

New Plymouth
Samuel with treats for the sheep

New Plymouth
Exploring the paddocks

New Plymouth
Time to make music

New Plymouth
Lego!

New Plymouth to Otorohanga
Mokau

Otorohanga
Taking a walk through the bush area

Otorohanga
For those Canadians who aren't familiar with the game netball, this is what a netball court looks like. I know it's hard to see but there are goal rings at both ends of the court.