All is well in New Zealand; with the space wagon now set up as a camper for our weekends away!

We have just spent our first New Zealand bank holiday weekend (labour day) exploring the Coromandel Peninsula; We took loads of pictures but as always they don't seem to reflect its true beauty despite our constant 'snap happy' efforts.

So we set off after work on Friday evening with the space wagon loaded up, taking the Pacific Coast Highway to Coromandel town; the coast hugging road making it one of our most scenic drives so far! We set up camp on the beachfront at Long Bay Campsite just in time for sunset, with unspoilt views across the bay (check out the photo).

We were up early on Saturday morning for a train ride on Driving Creek Railway; a railway some (now old) dude built on his own land in order to take clay down from the mountain to his property where he makes pottery. Apparently he developed it into a tourist attraction in a last ditched attempt to pay off his bank loan. The train ride offered us magnificent views across the bay……..fortunately for us without the need to climb any mountains!!

From there it was the gravel road to Whitianga, stopping off at Waiau Falls (for our waterfall fix) and a Kauri Grove in a random decision to look at some big old trees? We spent the afternoon exploring Mercury Bay, climbing a pa (old Maori fortress) for the views of Hahei Beach and surrounds (no train available). We also walked up Shakespeare Cliff and explored some of the local hidden and sheltered beaches before realising how far we had walked and rewarded ourselves with a 'must do' Coromandel seafood feast; the area being famous for scallops, oysters and other such niceties! Good choice tonight Roisin on this deserted campsite at Cooks bay with our pick of pitches and its 42˚C Jacuzzi and swimming pool!

Up at the crack of dawn Sunday morning to catch low tide at 'Hot Water Beach' when water/steam rises through the sand from the hot spring and you can dig your own pool. Obviously such an attraction draws the crowds so you'll see from the photo that it's not the most private/romantic of activities! It does however add a little extra amusement to hear others scream and jump as they burn their feet on a hot spot!

When the crowds became too much we headed off for Cathedral Cove for yet another hike to a secluded beach full of geographical wonders!

Cathedral cove was truly an incredible beach boasting a sea arch, sea stack, hidden caves and waterfalls! The sea arch however was cordoned off with signs saying it could fall at any moment, but we plucked up the courage and braved it underneath to the forbidden side! We then spent a few hours lying on the beach, soaking up the sun, enjoying a mini picnic and just trying to take it all in …....................cue Tim's timer shots!

We did have to drag ourselves away (hindered even more by the signposted 45 minute climb to get back to the car) and made our way to the next campsite at Wentworth Valley. Along the way we made a few stops and found an amazing secluded beach which we had to access via a bush (woods) - we are in the process of arranging a weekend back there!

We arrived early evening to our first ever DOC (Dept. of Conservation) campsite; think long drop toilet and a river that provides you with water; oh the luxury! It was a really pretty setting next to a river (on the down side this came with a fly/bug problem which caused Ro much distress). We decided to take a nice stroll along the riverside, however this turned into a 90 minute hike (books suggest 4hrs - check us out!!) to Wentworth waterfall. This resulted in us crashing for 12 hours 'spacewagon downtime' and we're still suffering some residual aching.

Monday morning we headed back to Raglan, with stops along the way. First at a working gold mine in Waihi, which was closed for the bank holiday!!? Next at Owharoa Falls to add another photo to our waterfall collection (Tim's set a target of 20…..so watch this space!).

We then completed another spectacular drive through Karangahake Gorge heading to Paeroa, where we finished off our trip with some L&P ice-cream next to a giant L&P bottle; if you've no idea what were talking about don't worry it's World Famous in New Zealand!

So that was our weekend in a nutshell (coconut rather than hazelnut). The world cup did occur in the midst of it all, but no street parties/alcohol related celebrations as it seems too laid back here for that sort of thing; apparently if they lost we'd know all about it!

Hope you are all enjoying the impending winter months......

…………..summers a coming over here!!

Farewell until our next adventure!