Coromandel Peninsula 17th February - More Water

Today was another wet day but this time with sunshine.  We started the day at Hot Water Beach where underground hot water springs run down to the beach.  For two hours before and two hours after low water the beach is full of people digging pools on the beach and relaxing in the hot water that fills them.  We hired a spade and dug our pool - in places the water is so hot you can't touch it.  As well as being fun to do it is quite relaxing and our skin felt lovely when we came out. 
In the afternoon we went on a sea kayaking trip from Hahei to Cathedral Cove and Cooks Beach.  After a briefing and being kitted out with buoyancy aids and spray decks our guide launched us into the surf and we were away.  David and I managed to stay reasonably dry at this stage.  At Cathedral Cove the surf was quite big and our guide had to land first and then catch us as we arrived on the beach.  We were all pretty wet but the sun soon dried us off and we were give hot chocolate and coffee before we left.  We had a great afternoon in a lovely area.  We finished our day at the Church Restaurant in Hahei (another Fielding recommendation) before driving back to Whitianga. 

Digging our pool

The pool starting to fill up

David relaxes in our pool

So many people, so many pools!

Still dry

Our guide

Cathedral Cove

Hot drinks and biscuits

Ready to leave

Our group

Catheral Cove

View from Hahei Lookout

Another view from the Lookout

Coromandel Peninsula 16th February - The Waterworks

After a night of gales and still raining when we got up I didn't expect to have anything to put on the blog for today - how wrong I was - there is always something to do in New Zealand.  We decided to take a trip to Coromandel from Whitianga (pronounced Fitt - ee - anga) via the coast road and do some beach geocaches.  We went to some stunning beaches but it certainly wasn't beach weather.  We had our picnic lunch in the car at Coromandel and went for a walk round the town before taking the "gravel" road home.  This is an unmade up road which we discovered had an unusual attraction - The Waterworks.  We stopped to have a look and as it had nearly stopped raining decided it was worth the entry fee.  We were expecting to see a few quirky water sculptures but found we were in for a real treat.  The park has over 70 "exhibits" mostly operated by water and we had a great time playing and getting wet at times, mainly because we didn't read the information boards carefully.  Our favourites were definitely the water cannons and the "flying fox" - David did both the long and short one but Sara only did the short one.  A real fun afternoon which brightened our day. 

Sara on the Flying Fox

This clock is powered by water and completely accurate

Once you start peddling you can't get off without help!!

Water Cannons

Auckland City Monday 14 February

Des and Katherine were both working today so we spent the day in Auckland City.  We took the ferry from Half Moon Bay across to Downtown Auckland and walked along to the Maritime Museum area where we strolled round looking at the super yachts, classic boats and Americas Cup yachts.  After a refreshing beer - it was another very hot day - we walked along to Skycity.  We had booked lunch in the Orbit revolving restaurant but first we went up to the Main Observation Deck and then the Sky Deck.  The views were amazing, even more so as it was such a clear sunny day.  It was a little nerve racking at first and it took Sara nearly three hours and a glass of wine before she would stand on the glass floor and look down!  We had another superb lunch enjoying the views and also watching the bungey jumpers coming down from above us - terrifying and definitely not for us!
By the time we left the Skytower it was 4.30p.m. and we just had time to take a ferry trip to Devonport and a short stroll round before catching the ferry back to Half Moon Bay.  Another great day and a lovely three days with Katherine and Des.  We look forward to seeing them in Weymouth when they next visit.

Approaching Auckland on the ferry

Americas Cup Yacht

Super yacht

The Soren Larson

Harbour from the Tower

City and Harbour from the Tower

Bridge and 2000 berth marina from the Tower

Looking through a viewing cube

Lunch

Sara on the glass floor

A jumper going past the Orbit Restaurant

An RFA in Devonport for Chris!

 

Weekend Sailing in Auckland Sunday 13 February

After breakfast and a swim for Des and Katherine we set sail for Waieheke Island where we planned to spend the day.  We anchored in Matiatia Harbour and took the dinghy ashore. 
There is a Sculpture Trail for about 2km along the shore of Waieheke Island which we wanted to do.  The sun had come out and it was very hot but we had a lovely walk with amazing views and some brilliant sculptures.  At the end of the trail there is a shuttle bus which we intended to catch to go for lunch at the Mudbrick Vineyard.  Unfortunately being Sunday it was very busy and there was a long queue for the bus so we decided to walk.  In hindsight probably not one or our better ideas as it was about 2 miles in the sun on the road and we arrived at this fantastic restaurant hot and sweaty but the staff were not the least bit bothered and revived us with several glasses of cold water before we ordered lunch! 
We had a superb lunch with unbelievable views across the Harbour, after which we had a wine tasting session before taking a taxi back to Matiatia.  We all wanted a swim to cool off so motored round to Church Cove for a quick dip before setting off towards home.  A great spinnaker run across to Calypso Bay off Motuhui Island where we stopped for supper before motoring home to Half Moon Bay Marina.  A great weekend.

 

               Some of the Sculptures along the Sculpture Trail

View from ou table for lunch

Des' pudding

Wine tasting

Sunset as we return home

Weekend Sailing in Auckland Saturday 12 February

We had a lovely drive from the Bay of Islands to Auckland where we were staying with Alan and Mary Sampson's daughter Katherine and Des.  They have a lovely house in Cockle Bay but our weekend was spent on the water sailing with them on their boat Nijinsky.  Saturday we had a great 15 knot breeze for sailing but found a sheltered bay for lunch and later went on to Woody Bay off Rakino Island where we anchored for the night.  Very peaceful despite several other boats anchored in the bay.

One of the classic yachts we passed

David at the helm, looking very serious!

Katherine

Woody Bay Rakino Island

Russell, Bay of Islands

Yesterday we drove to the Bay of Islands - a good day for driving as it was raining on and off all day.  Staying in a lovely motel right on the waters edge and our room is right next to the swimming pool.  Motels rooms are all self contained some having better kitchen facilities that others.  The one we are in now has a separate bedroom and large living area with sofas, dining table and small kitchen.  We also have a table, chairs and lounger outside and the use of a BBQ
As the weather was grim yesterday afternoon we used the motel's bikes and went for a spot of geocaching following the town's Heritage Trail. 
Today we got on the water at last.  We have spent the day sailing round the lovely islands on board a 50' yacht.  It was a bit chilly at first and fleeces were needed but by the time we anchored for lunch in a deserted bay the sun was out so swimming was the order of the day, though not for all!  David decided to stay on board and enjoy the sun.  Lunch was supplemented by fish caught during the morning.  An excellent day out.

Sara at the helm

One of the many islands in the Bay

Tall Ship in the Bay

Ferrying some of the crew ashore at lunchtime

David at the helm

Our motel room, in the centre