Cambridge, Raglan

Just went on my own wee road trip to the West Coast. Drove through Tauranga on the way to Cambridge for the first night (had to get 2 new tyres on the way having felt a bit "wobbly" recently!) Stopped at McClaren Falls Park which is really nice...would be a great camping spot.

Spent a day in Cambridge, went for a bike ride and relaxed in the park for a while...village is small but sweet. On to Raglan. Beautiful spot on the coast - surfer's paradise I'd imagine...its a bit of a tourist town but there are magic views from around the coast. I biked to Bridal Veil falls which was a really nice spot, then climbed up Mt. Kairoi which gave superb views...it was a pretty steep climb in spots and even required a chain!

Spent a day in Hamilton - did a bit of shopping, had a run around Rotorua Lake, and biked along the pathway by the Waikato River - its a nice spot. I love all the pathways for walking/running/biking around cities here...a real effort is made to make it scenic despite being so close to the business of the centre.

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Matata

Biked to Matata today, and had a lazy couple of hours on the beach - beautiful spot...and it was nice to have the wind behind me on the way back :)


   Matata Scenic Reserve

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Laying cement!

Spent the afternoon helping in the garden at Aussie Jim's house...we were digging and transporting while Noel was laying cement for the spa pool Jim's putting in. Muddy and dirty, but fun :)


   Jim's place

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Whakatane

I came back to Whakatane for my birthday (Feb 18th) and after a relaxing few days doing pretty much nothing, I decided I quite liked it! Managed to get work at the tennis club for a couple of afternoons and a morning each week, plus I start work in the local Irish pub – The Craic – tonight. It’s a great wee town with a totally laid back atmosphere, everyone’s really friendly and welcoming, and the surroundings are beautiful. Ohope Beach lies just east of Whakatane, and stretches for miles around East Cape. Swimming in the sea is really nice just now – the temperature is perfect.
So I reckon I’ll stay around here for a bit and see how it goes...now I’m off to pull my first pint :)


   birthday BBQ;  sunset;  Ricky & Anne


   Ohope Beach;  Whale Island;  Whakatane Wharf


   The Craic: Jimmy, Noel, Bridie & I;  Gavin's artwork;  Ricky & Anne

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