Almost the end of June and it is time to catch up on here again. It been another busy month as we have traveled up and around the Coromandel, had a 15 year wedding anniversary, a birthday and finally arrived in Auckland.
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| Cathedral Cove |
Never having been to the Coromandel I was filled with images of sandy beaches, flat roads meandering along them and constant sunshine .... man was I wrong!! The rugged coastline, and often narrow roads, was a big surprise and more than a little nerve wrecking. The bus brakes and gears surely got a good working out as we travelled up the east side of the Coromandel peninsula and down the west. Thankfully we were already booked in to get the a bus checkup before our COF ;) The rain too was torrential with more than a few thunder and lightening storms overhead along with a bit of flooding here and there.
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| Flooded in at Whangamata |
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| Hot water Beach |
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| Themselves are loving all the rope swings they find and make. |
By the time we finished, and after a couple of weeks in Thames day tripping, we had pretty much done a complete loop around. Themselves reveled in all the beaches and bush to play in, finding all sorts of treasures including some kauri gum which they sold to a local guy for $5 each. Great for them to go through the whole process and wonderful that someone is still willing to buy small amounts from kids. After that they were keen to stay even longer and return to the source of their treasure as they planned all sorts of spending with their money!
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| Karangahake Gorge .. windows walk |
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| Whittling for Matariki in Tapu |
It was also the place that we have spent the most money on 'attractions' I'd have to say though they were well worth it. The Waterworks just out of Coromandel town was a fantastic place with all sorts of water inspired engineering feats to have fun on ... it really worked the body, the brain and the soul with all the laughter we had at the difference creations. Driving Creek Railway, which was hand built by a NZ potter, was also a highlight however I think the free roaming pigs where the favourite for Daniel. He loves pigs so the opportunity to see so many and then to sit snuggling a piglet for ages was awesome. He came away with all sorts of plans about how a pig could work on the bus ... none of which we were 100% convinced about I have to say ;)
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| The Waterworks .... ET style ride! |
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| Pig catching .... |
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| and pig patting. |
When we got to Thames we joined a local unschooling group on their Nature Space catch up and made some wonderful friends who invited us to park up with them. It was great to connect with like minded people and wonderful seeing our two adjusting their play to include younger children. Even at the craft morning in Thames with a group of 50+ women we were supported and congratulated on our lifestyle choices. It was an amazing feeling and so great to be able to chat without trying to 'sell' our choices just to deflect negative comments. Thames certainly left a very good impression on me that is for sure.
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| Paeroa |
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Birthday drinks and meal out for himself.
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So now we are in Auckland to catch up with a few people before - the rest we'll see on the way back down ;) - journeying up North. Arriving this morning reminded me just how much I'm not a city girl!! Thankfully the company for friends and family will make up for the stress of the hoards around us ;)
Arohanui
Y
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