February
7th to 10th
Thursday 7th – our last day in Coromandel was spent
exploring closer to Coromandel town. We’ve learnt over the past two days that
distances may not be great but it can
take a long time to travel them as most roads are very windy and steep!
This morning
we went on the Driving Creek railway –3 km of railway built over 22 ha of hilly,
very rough land. This tortuous project was created (and is still owned by)
Barry Brickell who came to Coromandel as a teacher but having only lasted 2
terms in the local school, he bought the 60 acre site and set about creating a
railway with no money! Initially intended for private use, much of the work was
done by hand. Today the railway is open to the public and all the proceeds used
to the restoration of the native forest land around it.
The ride is
great fun with informative commentary by the driver. A bit like a big toy railway,
there are lots of stops to change the points and the seat backs all turn round
so that you can still enjoy the view whenever the train driver switches from
the “back” to the front of the train. At the top of the ride is the “Eyefull
Tower” – a very deliberate pun, with marvelous views over Coromandel and
surrounding areas.
Barry is
also a potter and artist and there are numerous pottery statues dotted about
the edge of the track and exhibits by local artists.
Our accent
was quickly spotted by one of the train drivers – turned out he’s from Stoke on
Trent. Doesn’t take much imagination to see why he’s living in NZ!
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| Intrepid travellers |
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| retaining wall made out of glass bottles! |
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| Barry's pottery |
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| train on the upper track |
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| Pottery Wall alongside the track |
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| View from our train |
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| View from Eyefull Tower -cloudy day! |
The
afternoon was spent exploring the local coastline but there’s still a cool wind
so we enjoyed a walk and a paddle at Matarangi beach but no full immersion!
On Thursday evening we treated ourselves to a meal "The Mussel Kitchen" - just up the road. This relaxed restaurant serves the most gorgeous local green lipped mussels. They were huge and very very tasty! Good job we hadn't been before or we would have eaten there for lunch and dinner every day! Very reasonably priced too.
“Le Weekend” 8-10th
February.
After 2
weeks away, we’re struggling to know what day it is but apparently the weekend is
here! Headed back towards Auckland on Friday where we met up with Jo, Blom,
Linda and her kids. It was so lovely to see them again and to receive such a warm
welcome.
Saturday
was a truly memorable day. Jo and Blom took us on a 2 hour walk in Duder Regional
Park, about an hour from Auckland. The
land is maintained by the Regional Council (a bit like a UK County Council) and
farmed so the walk is accompanied in places by sheep, cows etc. This is a
peninsular so the higher you get the better the views over the coastline around Waiheke Island(you’re never far from
water in NZ so it’s ideal for us). Great scenery and Blom’s a really good
guide, explaining the history and geography very clearly.
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| We made it! |
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| View from Duder Park |
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| View from Duder Park |
From there we went on for some lunch overlooking the sea at Maraetai and then onto the Miranda thermal pool. This is a fabulous facility – the largest natural thermal pool in the Southern Hemisphere (or so it claims!) plus some smaller spa and kiddy pools. The main pool is about 35 degrees so wonderfully relaxing even with a 3 year old in tow! Zac had a great time and soon lost any nervousness about the water. Freddie and Oscar would love it here!
What
strikes us everywhere we go in NZ is the relaxed atmosphere. Clearly there are
tensions, particularly between the Maori tribes and the majority of the
population but we’re warmly welcomed wherever we pitch up – not in any over the
top, false manner, but just in a natural, chatty way. It makes being a tourist
here very easy.
Sunday was
a sort out day for us. We’re leaving some stuff at J&B’s while we go off in
the camper van. Amazing how much clutter you accumulate so quickly!
Hear it's snowing at home, thinking of you as we enjoy glorious sunshine!
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