Journey round the North Island

This post covers ten days of fairly intense travel. The photographic record is not complete but here are a few images to give an idea of what we did.

Wop, Gill, Rosie, Dan and I set out on Monday February 18th. Here they are by one of the thermal pools in Tokaanu. We stayed the first night in Taupo and set off the next morning via the Huka Falls. (that red blob in the upper left is a person!) Arriving in Rotorua we visited Lake Tarawera where it was demonstrated again that the Poms like paddling.

The lake with Mount Tarawera in the distance.

We spent Wednesday morning in Rotorua, visiting the museum and heading up the gondola to the luge track.

Rosie and Dan left that night from Auckland. The rest of the family gathered in Takapuna to celebrate the actual date of my 60th birthday which was on Friday. I had a nice cake

and various presents, some of which are unsuitable for display in a family blog!
The day was supposed to have been spent on Tiritiri Matangi but the weather was awful and the boat trips cancelled for three days so we didn't get there which was a bit disappointing.

We did get out on the Sunday, visiting a Gannet colony
at Muriwai beach.

On Monday 25th we left Auckland and travelled to New Plymouth, taking the Forgotten World Highway from Taumarunui to Stratford.

We spent a couple of days in New Plymouth before returning to Wellington.

Wop and Gill are now in the South Island. Noreen and I join them in a fortnight to cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail. Expect an update in about a month.