20th November Woke up about 6, opened the van door, as it does get a bit steamed up at night. Carried on dozing while listening to the waves and the dawn chorus. Woke up proper about 7ish. Headed to the kitchen to make tea and toast I decided would try having a bigger breakfast to see if I could ward of hunger pangs mid morning. Breakfast was avocado on toast plus a bowl of cereal. Sorted the van out, headed to the kitchen to wash up and had a shower all ready to leave by 9.20. Pretty good going I thought. Carried on my journey south towards Opotiki, on the way I saw a sign for a regional park at Ohiwa and took a right turn, sat nav was not happy that I had deviated from ... read more

18th November I booked 2 nights at the campsite, so no rush this morning. I plan to walk today, in two minds as to walk the base trail or attempt the summit. First things first, breakfast, tea and washing on. Have a shower, wash up and tidy van whilst waiting for the washer to finish. I really cannot bring myself to use the tumble drier on such a sunny day, so hang the washing up around the van. Settle in with a book, the washing is soon dry. Make a sandwich and then head for a walk around the base track, should take 45 minutes. The track was fairly flat, so no problems apart from the bit, about two thirds around, where there had been a landslide and they built steps around it, so 4 flights ... read more

16th November Woke up at 7.15, needed to be off site by 8am. Shoved some cereal down my thought, got dressed, packed the van up. No time for a cuppa. Head in to town, first things first, NEED coffee. Will anywhere be open, it is still only 7.50. I spy a bakery with tables out on the pavement, park up and get a LARGE flat white. I sit an the table outside watching the world go by as I sip it. After about 30 minutes, I begin to feel awake. I really have no idea what to do with my day. I have a walk through town, pick up a few supplies and get back to the van. I have a look through the brochures and maps and decide on Waihi. There is a walk around ... read more

14th November Got up and decided on a second night at the site; 2 reasons, my washing had got wet in the overnight rain and I was planning to walk to Cathedral Cove. I had company for breakfast, slowly waking up with a cuppa and breakfast of bread and jam, and this sparrow keeps landing on the table and flying off again. Eventually he goes in for the kill and starts tearing chunks of bread of the bread on my plate. Cheeky got comes back a dozen times or more in the end. It is still a bit drizzly, so decide to wait til the rain eases before I head off for my walk. I fill my time by moving my washing to the drying room on camp in the hope that it will dry out ... read more

12th November Woken by eager individuals getting in an early swim. It’s all well and good have the spot next to the pool if you swim, but it opens a 6am and codes at 10pm and has a spring on the fare which means it slams shut very noisily everyone someone goes through the gate. Finally feel alert enough to stumble to the kitchen to make tea. Sat dozing in my chair until I was awake enough to consider breakfast. Cereal that'll do. Time check 8.20 I need to be out by 10, time for more tea. I might wake up after he second cup. Around 9, started to feel alert enough to consider sorting myself out for the day. Look at a few maps and brochures a decide to head towards Coromandel Peninsula. The road ... read more