So, the surfing blog has been delayed for a week or two. Andy now has a surfboard, which looks nice in the lounge, but the surfs flat man!
Instead, braving the 'busy' labour day traffic (bank holiday weekend), we joined the masses for a drive up the west coast of the Coromandel.
First stop, the stunning, sheer-sided Kauaeranga valley. At the end of a 12km 'road' (a dirt track by UK standards) we find yet another informative and friendly New Zealander in the DOC office who directs us to some easy walks; my walking pace is slowing this last week.
The scenic valley of native forest is a great introduction to the common trees of NZ, namely Kauri trees and the Rimu and Rata. The whole area was an important mining and logging region from the late 1800s. Although much of the original trees are ... Amoungst all the flora and fauna there are impressive, tranquil swimming spots and waterfalls on the way.
A short climb (up 370 steps!) gets us to this great look out , the only people for what seems like miles (we've not yet noticed any bank holiday crowds) it's a great place to sit and take it all in.
Look Out
Not yet seeing evidence of the holiday traffic we've been warned of, along the way we realise all the crowds are on the water, doing what all the locals do best... fishing!
Boats queuing to dock just outside Thames
Passing secluded bays; busy with day trippers foraging for shellfish, Mussels and TuaTua as well as vast Crayfish and Oyster farms we go by stunning viewpoints as the road stretches over the coast.
Arriving at Coromandel, famous for smoked fish and scallops I seek out the Coromandel Smoking company to try (much to Andy's disgust) their delicious smoked mussels. http://www.corosmoke.co.nz/
We check in at the b&b http://www.greenhousebandb.co.nz/, stumbling across some more Pommes, the welcoming Malcolm and Denise (originally from Cornwall).
Revived we're ready for another strenuous day at the beach, but not before I convince Andy that he needs to visit the Driving Creek Railway and Potteries.
The Driving Creek Railway is the mastermind of Barry Brickell, a potter and rail enthusiast. After arriving in the 70's he realised a more efficient way to extract clay from the surrounding hillside via rail. In true Kiwi style, he not only built it himself but improved over the years, the railway growing from the initial 400m of track to a steeped 3km stretch, ending with beautiful views across the Hauraki Golf.
Not content with pottery and rail engineering he was also determined to become an eco-hero, reintroducing native forest to the region with the profit from the railway, as well as using recyclable materials in the making of every part of the railway; the engine fuel is recycled from the local chippy.
http://www.drivingcreekrailway.co.nz/Introduction.cfm
Dated, but charming rail carriages
It even has a double bridge!
After exhausting ourselves with culture we hit the road to Whangapoua in search of New Chums beach.
Whangapoua
An adventurous trek around the rocky bay; rewards us with white sands, clear water and a barely populated idyllic beach. Here we take our first swim in the Pacific, it's still freezing!
New Chums Bay
Sensible pregnant lady stays well away from the slippery rocks at Waiau Falls...
While Andy can't help but clamber, gingerly over to the water!
More Kauri trees, the largest is 1200 years old!
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