Around and about the base of Rangitoto

Bush and Beach

Went up to the Waitak's again. This time for the introductory hike leaving from the Arataki Visitor Center. On return we enjoyed lunch in the shade there. Afterwards we drove down to Piha Surf Beach then onto Karekare where I went for a swim while the others enjoyed the scenery and the warmth of the sun. After the beach in Karekare I enjoyed a book and a drink under a tree then we all went to see the beautiful falls.

Mussels + Hoegaarden White = Happy Campers

Had a great catch-up with L and C over a pot of delicious coriander and lemon flavored mussels which we washed down with equally delicious beer-hoegaarden white. All enjoyed at The Occidental on Vulcan Lane in the central city.

Wintergardens, Auckland Domain

Freddo

Chocolate that makes you smile...

Auckland City Walk

Went hiking with my Mum up in the Waitak's. It was good.

Brekkie on the boat

Pie and coffee because 'coffee helps'

Not bad for being the only thing available

Tirau Popsicle Stop

Made a stop in Tirau to take a break with a popsicle and capture the sheep that goes with the sheepdog.

Around and about Rotorua

Lukewarm ashiyu outside the tourist office

Coffee and jelly beans at the Fat Dog

Pumpkin and cheese panini with beet salad at the Fat Dog

In the Redwood Forest

The butcher's pool-nothing to do with Sweeney Todd

Pool info

Pretty for what is essentially just a pool in a field...

Feels good...

Walk about Taupo

Had a good time in Taupo. Thanks to T for the invite.

Baches and houses(?) and decks

It's a bit hard to tell the difference between the houses and the baches nowadays hence the title...

L&P, NZ's own fizzy drink

The big bottle

Southern Comfort and L&P was my drink of choice for a while there back in the day...

Signs

Really like this arcade...

One of my fav new stores for coffee...

Thai restaurant

Believe it or not, this is a real estate agency sign...

Used to visit this cafe back in the day...

And I thought this said tattoo...

Don't remember the burgers here but they had nice hot chocolate back in the day...

In Cornwall Park Playground

May pole and climbing net

Monkey tires(?)

The flying fox.

A mechanical swing for wheelchair users.

Other swings.

More swings.

The equipment is pretty much the same as that I used when I was a child it's just been updated. Not pictured are the train and skateboard slope.

Practising furoshiki skills

Morena no Tairua

Tairua Sunrise

Around and about Tairua

Wonder how long this bench has been around?

The estuary where we went cockling

Large palm in front of Kiwi bach/house

Public beach access

Agapanthus

Looking towards the bakery part of Tairua township

Looking towards the mouth of the estuary

Oystercatchers

Looking back towards Paku from the rugby field where I did my morning exercise

Oystercatchers and piedstilts

Rugby Clubrooms