North island finale

Getting on a plane and your body feels like you're going home. So it was a nice treat to have a little holiday ( a week!) back in the North island principally based at Ewen and Toni's in Auckland.
First was to get Helen a hair cut then out for drinks and dinner with E &A and Toni's mum, Geraldine, also staying. Great night out finishing at the kiwi curfew of maybe 8.30? Perfect for us oldies.
Next, up to Whangarei to catch up with Ian and Rachel, who we worked with in Russell. Great fun running, walking and reminiscing to the constant of Ian's infectious giggling! Waterfalls, mountains, Kauris, Maori history, flat whites and a bit of Hundertswasser. Mix that with being chased by the tide on a classic coastal walk (Manguwhai Heads) a cool little glow worm cave at the most Scottish town in Northland ( Waipu) and a Super Rugby preseason, Blues vs Crusaders in the roasting sun.
Back in Auckland we squeezed in a catch up with Nicola and Chris before a fantastic Auckland day starting with a park run, one or two flat whites and almond croissants at THE most bijou cafe, then ferry to Waiheke for fantastic food and wonderful wine in the sun with E&A and Geraldine. How many cities of the world could offer such a top notch day out?
The second half of the weekend was slightly more sedate with a more relaxed start, some 6 nations rugby ( less said the better) and a lovely ridgeline walk on the west coast with E&A and Geraldine. So nice to spend time with the Peckhams ( tho both can trot along at a fair old pace...)
Sad farewells then we broke camp and headed to The Coromandel- a wild hilly peninsula just an hour and a half from Auckland. This set us up nicely for an early start Monday morning for a tramp up to The Pinnacles - ancient logging tracks leading us to wildly precipitous volcanic tors with 360deg views over an untamed wilderness.
A half day before we flew out of Auckland allowed time to explore the old mining tunnels, and tracks of Karangahake.
And that , my friends, wraps things up for New Zealand. We have reached the end of the tracks indeed. But not before planning a further trip later this year😊🇳🇿Læs mere