Wed. 2 Jan.

Went to KeriKeri which is the site of the first mission house in New Zealand, built in 1822 and also the Stone Store, built in 1836, originally built to hold supplies for the missionaries but
later turned into a general store. It is built over three floors and is quite lovely. It is still open as a shop and continues to sell items that it would have sold years ago, sourcing the items from
the same suppliers and manufacturers as were used then. Back in March there were severe storms over here and flood water came within feet of both of the buildings but fortunately neither of them
were

flooded. The Mission House still has some of the original slates used by the Mauroi children who were taught to read and write by the missionaries. These are the oldest buildings in New Zealand.

Thursday, 3 Jan

Turned up at Waitangi golf club and had a round of golf with two guys. Super course, brand new set of Taylor Made clubs to hire and great company - and the golf wasn't too bad. Drove down to
Mangawheri Head on the east coast. Nice seaside place and good surf beaches.

Fri. 4 Jan

Spent day lazing around on beach and then went to free wine, cheese and jazz evening. Local developers are promoting a life style village - has everything including putting green, swimming pool,
room to store the boat etc. and were anxious to get locals in. Plus I think a few tourists who found out about it!

Sat 5 Jan

Drove to Thames at the start of the Coromandel Peninsula. Thames is a delightful town with some super buildings. The hotel is the sort that you imagine in the mid-west in America. You almost
expected the doors to open and a fight to spill out into the road.

Sun.

Drove up to Coromandel Town. Every corner you go around on this coast line is a 'Wow' view. Local smokery did fabulous fish at a very cheap price. Also smoked chicken and lots of other lovely
delicacies so that was lunch sorted. Our accommodation had a hot tub and swimming pool so that was made use of - don't get those luxuries very often. Spent the afternoon at the Driving creek
Railway

built on 60 acres of land owned by a local potter. He has planted 17000 Kauri trees and removed all the vegetation that was not indigenous to New Zealand. He has left it all to a Trust so that it
will never be built on. It was great fun, if not a bit scary.

Mon

Drove to Colville, north of Coromandel Town. Very twisty road but again super views. Stayed on 3000 acre farm. Good accommodation and nice peope. Colville village has one post office that opens
three times a week for two hours a day, one petrol pump run by the general store and a small cafe that did excellent food but shut at 5 00. I doubt if it has changed at all in the last half century
or more. Goodness knows where you go for a night out though. Spent afternoon on local beach, had cove to ourselves.

Tues.

Went for two hour ride up into the mountains, fabulous views and great fun. The horses were in good condition and well behaved so that was good.Thought I would be unable to walk when I finished
but suprisingly I wasn't. Must be all this exercise I am getting.

Wed.

Drove down here to Tairu. Local beach is a surfers paradise.