New Zealand - Coromandel

So, off we went towards Coromandel. Much of the route was the same as when we had headed North - but we took the quicker route down the East Coast. Basically lots of pasture, cows and as recorded by Tony, sheep dyed red at Sheep World. We didn't go - Welsh ancestry rumour quashed! We stopped to change drivers only in a Le Mans 24hr stylee. That meant I'd left the really sinuous cliff top route to Alice! It was pretty much raining on and off all day but just after we arrived the sun popped out and we had a beautiful evening. You might just notice that we're selective with the photo's - the sun always shines!

It was today we finally realised that Yorkshire is actually the centre of the Universe. Not only did the Kauri museum lady say she'd waited 47 years to holiday abroad, she then told us she was going to York Minster and to see Snickelways. Also, Rachel (the bar manager's sister from Auckland) is moving to Leeds and, when we checked in today we found Angela used to work in Leeds and her sister now lives in Wharfedale. I don't know why we left!!

To continue the theme of drinking Monteith's, we headed to the Star and Garter. Quality idea. A pub but, with menus from the two restaurants next door. You order, they bring it to the pub. The stack of ribs I had were amazing while J9's half a cow steak was pretty good too! Coromandel town is really quite small but very nice. The bad news is the bead shop - yes there is one - was closed as the owner's in hospital. Disappointing. Another disappointment is that the much recommended Tangarriro Crossing is snow and ice covered - therefore suited to Alpine experienced climbers. We reckoned that as Frodo did Mount Doom in bare feet we could try but then it must have been summer. We'll have to add it to the 'next time' list.

First and only full day was through another tortuous twisty mountainous road. The good news was that I did ask the man at the petrol station - who based on stature and beard looked suspiciously like he'd been at the Coromandel Bikers Club meeting in the pub the night before - whether the famed route 309 should be attempted. I felt the disdain for the Green Machine might have been masked better but he suggested the main road. I reckon the mighty Corolla could have done the unpaved mountain terrain.

So we set off to hot water beach - thankfully in beautiful sunshine. Bad news was we'd misjudged the tide. We didn't have time to dig a pool for ourselves but still managed to scald feet and hands exploring the beach and digging a little. It's basically two lovely beaches seperated by a rocky headland - the point at which several hot water springs emerge. We saw the bubbling water coming through the sand and had a quick paddle. Amusing watching the punters in their holes desperately trying to shore the defences and stay warm before the cold high tide waters came in.

Just down the coast was a lovely walk from a car park to Cathedral Cove - nice walk through woodland to a natural arch through a headland. Sunshine was rapidly fading behing the clouds but we enjoyed the walk and the views. We headed back to Coromandel and finally found the bakery - why had we waited so long? Self-serve cakes and bread and pies which I quote 'tastes better than Greggs' - a bold claim I know but I can support it - tasty. We also found the liquor store - now that had a fridge. You think they've no beer but in fact it's a full on chiller room requiring gloves, goggles and parker jacket just to go in safely. To justify the pies and beers we went for another little walk through a local walk with coastal views and Kauri trees before heading back to the motel.

Had a luxury tea of fish and chips or for me a 'fish basket'. By all accounts the snapper and chips did surpass the famous Monganui chippy but my fish basket was interesting! Crab stick, squid rings, fish pieces, scallops, mussells and chips. All deep fried and of mixed levels of customer satisfaction. I went on the basis if I could cut it with a knife it was probably alright. I should comment that there was salad included so it was a balanced meal. Ate this while watching Kiwi Rugby League team beat Tonga. Getting into the local way of life!