Up & breakfasted in good time, as the kids had to be ready for "work" by 8.30! They disappeared off round the farm, while D&L packed, & later returned with 2 freshly laid eggs, & stories of feeding lambs, hens & pigs, visiting a very pregnant cow, & seeing the horses (again!). We debated staying, but there is little to do on the area, & we have to start to think about getting back to Auckland. The first part of the drive followed an unsealed road along the east side of northern Coromandel - more hills & corners! After refuelling in Coromandel town, we drove along the west coast, to Thames, & visited the Orchid & Butterfly house. Beautiful flowers & some huge butterflies, & humid enough to instantly steam up a camera lens!

We then turned westwards, & stopped for lunch (in the car) by the sea, in Miranda, in the rain & blustering wind. Next stop was in Pokeno, for D&M to grab a few supplies, then we followed the Waikato River to its estuary at Port Waikato. We found the Surfers Lodge BP's (in the pouring rain) - $90, dbl + bunks, nice shared kitchen & lounge, free wifi + DVD library!) & spent a rainy evening watching DVDs (kids) & chatting to Becky, ex-RAF, from London, (D&L) who has recently set up her own business, providing female body guards, & catching up on blog, emails & other internet based stuff!