Day 1 - Saturday Afternoon - To Bowentown

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Updated 19 MAR 07

Found our way along Motorway 2 to Paeroa (pronounce 'Pie...Roar") and this is the place made famous by L&P softdrink. L&P stands for Lemon and Paeroa which was a natural lemonade made from lemon juice and mineral water from a local spring. It is actually celebrating its centenery this year and is delicious even though its now bottled by Coka-Cola.

Anyway we found our way to supermarket for we needed some supplies (most supermarkets here are called "New World"). We bought some apples, chips and sunscreen. Yes, sunscreen! It was a brilliantly sunny day and we were starting to feel the heat. I think I was up around 26-28 degrees C. I think if hadn’t got some , dead set, we would have got badly sunburnt

In no time we were through Tarangahake Gorge via the falls there and arrived in Waihi. This seemed much long in my youth (ie the lasty time i was in NZ.) Then there was just a short drive to Waihi Beach and then onto Bowentown. Waihi Beach shopping precinct really reminded of the one at the start of Lorne. and we even passed by the grandparents old house. Apparently it was sold by them for about NZ$30k many years ago, but recently it sold for NZ$660K. But it is only over a road and through the dunes from the beach. A magical part of the world

We got to the camping ground at the end of the road and the Family welcomed us with open arms. And eventually brought us a drink each! We spent a few hours catching up and making in introductions and re-introductions and eating and drinking. It was a grand day and we were both made to feel very welcome, as only Kiwi's can do best.

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