Blogs from Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 28

I can't tell you how beautiful this coast is. Everywhere you look the sea is clear and blue, the trees come down to the beach, there are little places to park so you can pull off the road and admire the wonderful scenery, and its so peaceful. No cafes or funfairs or hotels or anything. There is no-one about, I suppose that everyone has their favourite place and we haven't found it yet! Also, its early spring and I think the locals find it a bit chilly for the beach. However it feels good to us, and we don't find it too cold to paddle. I even managed a snooze yesterday, in the sun. These photos are all taken along the estuary east of Whangarei. I know its half term, but for the teachers among you, ... read more

After the very heavy rain of last night, Sunday wasn’t to disappoint - it was still raining. It was also the day when I was to check out of the hotel and move into a new home. After a shower, I quickly packed and, grabbing my phone numbers, went into Auckland for breakfast. Walking back to the hotel, I called the rental company and arranged my transfer. Within 30 minutes or so, I’d checked out and was waiting in hotel reception for my taxi. It soon arrived, driven by a Chinese gentleman going by the very oriental name of Billy. Billy was so in tune with both his job and his car that there appeared to be a direct correlation between the speed he was driving and the volume and rate of conversation - I don’t ... read more

First of all we went to Reyburn house for coffee, then Aunty Beb took us to the waka rocks. After lunch we all went for a walk at Barge Park. Unfortunately the ice cream van had left by the time we got back to the car! ... read more

Today we paddled in the Pacific. We drove to Pataua and you can walk over a rickety bridge to the other side of the estuary, and then you can get to the Pacific beach. No-one there, except 2 people walked along to us and kindly took a picture of us both. At another beach we watched a bottle nosed dolphin being rescued from a shallow sandbank in the distance.... read more

We got up late - Robyn had to sound her horn to make us arise!!! Then, after a lengthy breakfast, we proceeded to the Quarry Gardens in Whangarei. As you can see from the photos it was hot, sunny and really beautiful. I think it was started 10 years ago in the old Quarry so mum and dad may not have been here - and if they had, it's much better now!... read more