29th June 2024 at 15:04 - Damian

We left Matakana early this morning stopping at the Ringawera Bakery for a sourdough baguette and a couple of sweets. From there we headed toward the west coast and Atiu Creek Regional Park.

There's a place for self-contained campervans at the entrance near the highest point with million dollar views so we'll stay here the night and see if we can catch a nice sunset.

We ambled the 2.5hr 7.8km Oruawharo River Trail on arrival and have blobbed out watching storms and sunshine blow through.

29th June 2024 at 06:31 - Damian

The roads around Matakana are treacherous for cycling or walking but the local community has built a path between Matakana and Omaha that uses a combination of quiet backroads and dedicated paths.

Only 15 minutes cycle from our digs to the pub and a safe meander back in the dark

29th June 2024 at 06:14 - Damian

Our main reason for coming up this way was to catch up with friends at 8 Wired Barrelworks in Matakana for their Matariki dark beer festival.

We found a park over property nearby with tiered level pitches. Only $10 for the night with an honesty box at the top of the driveway. They had eggs in the honesty box at $8 at a dozen so we grabbed a carton as well.

29th June 2024 at 05:58 - Damian

Leigh Eats fish and chips for lunch. Consumed just down the road at Matheson Bay on the beach. Beautiful little bay but a steep pebbly beach with waves that were causing grief to a couple of sit-on kayakers attempting to launch. Much laughter from their family picnicking on the grass.

The snapper was pricey at $10.50 per 100g but they gave us extra so all is forgiven. Delicious.

29th June 2024 at 05:35 - Damian

Mānawatia a Matariki!

Yesterday we drove the long way to Leigh for lunch.

We stopped off at Pakiri Beach¹ because we plan to do a day walk later in the year starting at Te Arai (where we stayed a couple of weekends ago) down the coast finishing at Pakiri which will involve crossing the river there at the end. It looks shallow enough to wade across and will be a refreshing end to a 12km beach walk.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C4%81kiri

15th June 2024 at 14:21 - Damian

Instead of spending the night at the bach we've made our way to Te Arai Regional Park¹ near Mangawhai just north of Auckland. It's raining but it's remote and right on the surf beach and only costs $21 for the night.

Stopped at the markets in Mangawhai just as they were closing and had the most amazing pie from the coffee truck there; called 'Porky Pickle' with pulled pork, ham, pickles and salty mustard.

1. https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/stay-at-park/Pages/accommodation-details.aspx?itemID=81

15th June 2024 at 14:16 - Damian

This weekend was supposed to be a regular scything/mowing weekend at the bach but started badly with getting stuck in the sopping ground. It resulted in a stressful hour or two of getting it unstuck, turned around and back up the slippery driveway abandoning the whole idea.

12th June 2024 at 08:05 - Damian

Here we document our travels from 2024 onwards