By the time we had packed up and grabbed some breakfast at our favourite cafe on the wharf (especially favourite because it serves the only decent bacon we have come across in New Zealand, ie nice meaty back bacon instead of that crispy American style stuff!!), we were already running a bit late. However, we were determined to fit in everything we had planned for the day and started by getting the ferry over to Russell, just across the water. This is a very quaint, historic kind of place containing many of New Zealand's oldest example of various buildings such as church, pub etc and was well worth a visit. It would have been nice to stay longer but we had a heavy schedule ahead so, clutching an enormous ice cream each, we boarded the ferry back to Paihia and were lucky not to lose the afore-mentioned ice creams in the strong breeze!

In the car once more, our first stop was just up the road at the Waitangi Reserve where we were able to see the Waitangi Treaty House and see the site of the signing of the historic treaty between the British and the Maori chiefs which marks the founding of modern New Zealand. We had a good wander round and saw a very interesting film about James Busby and William Hobson, but again it would have been somewhere to spend some time at a more leisurely pace. Whilst there we were also able to get a close up, hands on, look at the Bledisloe Cup which means so much to all Kiwi and Aussie rugby fans!

By the time we left there the weather had taken a turn for the worse and the morning sun had turned to rain as we set off on our way to the west coast. It took us a good couple of hours to get to the other side and we passed some interesting scenery, including mangrove swamps, along the way. We might have stopped for a closer look at these but the rain was torrential at that point so we decided against! We reached the coast at Hokianga Harbour and the small town of Opononi, both of which were really lovely, especially when the sun came out.

From there we set off south towards the Waipoua Forest and were soon driving amongst the largest stand of kauri trees left in New Zealand. There was dense rain forest on both sides of the narrow road. Very impressive, and at times it seemed as if the forest was encroaching on the road and determined to claim it back as a blow for nature! We wouldn't have wanted to be there in the dark!! We stopped to view New Zealand's largest living kauri tree, Tane Mahuta. It's name means Lord of the forest and it is around 2,000 years old. It is so big that we almost missed it and walked straight past at first!! It's girth spans 45 feet (13.8 metres) and we are really happy to have seen such a magnificent sight.

We continued driving south through Kaihu, Dargaville and Ruawai, then eastwards again, eventually linking back up with State Highway 1 in the direction of Auckland. The rain was torrential all the way, but at this point in the journey we were treated to the sight of the most magnificent rainbow we have ever seen! The colours were incredibly bright and it was a full arc touching the ground on both sides and, at one point, a double rainbow was showing. Truly amazing!!

As it began to get dark we were once again glad of the sat nav which took us cross country again and we finally arrived at the historic Riverhead tavern where we were to meet our friends, Mike and Gay who were taking part in the weekly quiz night. With our help their team managed 3rd place and, guys, we are so sorry we were late because if we had been there from the beginning you would almost definitely have won!!