Poon of the Rings

North to the Coromandel where we found beautiful bays and chilly-looking surf spots with great names like 'Sailor's Grave'. Late in the day we took a walk down to Cathedral bay along the path, the hedgerows lined with foxgloves and birds singing at the top of their little lungs, a beautiful spring evening.

Cathedral bay

                                                                                                     Gotta take a wine traveler!

Constantly reminded of home as the foliage and scenery (aside from all the epic mountains, volcanoes and giant tree ferns) are much like south-west England, only crumpled up a bit, making it more hilly and mountainous.

As we stepped down on to the sand of Cathedral bay, which gets its name from the spectacular arch rock formations, we were blown away by the beauty of the place. We had the whole bay to ourselves in the evening sunshine.

So there we were running about like we owned the bay and very unexpectedly to me (and also to James I think, as he only decided 30 seconds prior) James pops the question!
'it just seemed the perfect moment' he said!
I kept him waiting a bit for an answer.. it wasn't until he looked worried that I realised he wasn't joking. So yep we are getting married!

Two excited Poons!

Both on a high, we went to Hot Water Beach to dig ourselves a spa pool on the low tide beach and drink some boysenberry cider to celebrate. A perfect evening, feet in hot volcanic warmed water, cold cider in hand and fireworks in the star studded sky! It was the 5th November.

Due to James spontaneous decision-making my first engagement ring looked like this: Not your usual rock on a stick!

Rope

Back to Auckland with our exciting news. We decided to keep it our little secret to our selves for a while... we'd been used to keeping secrets as we'd been planning to go home soon to surprise our families and enjoy a home Christmas before we head across the Atlantic to Central and South America. Now we had an even bigger secret.

Tea bag string

Grass

From Auckland we we took a few days to see the Northland. Moira was kind enough to lend us her car, this really is a country you need the independence of your own transport to get around and see all the hidden beauty spots. Up to 90 mile beach. At Ahipara we stayed at a wicked backpackers, Endless Summer Lodge, more like a giant shared house, nice facilities and great atmosphere and of course right on the beach. to top off the perfection we had a room with a sea view, serious luxury. We went climbing monstrous sand dues and sand-boarded down, injesting more sand than desired. The coast line was of course classic NZ, stunningly beautiful.

That's one long beach!

That climb nearly killed him

One mighty strong cool-box

South to the bay of islands, famous tourist spot and righfuly so as it's very pretty with all the home comforts, crazy benches and even a local produce market to stock up on farm produce and crafts.

Back to Auckland to collect Moira from work and straight across east to Tauranga to spend the weekend at Moira's parents. They have an amazing home on top of a hill with spectacular view and grounds, we felt like kings waking up in the comfiest bed ever with an undisturbed view of mount Rananewi.
Next day, off to the races darling! No wins for james and I but we both had a great day trying.... maybe our strategy of choosing the horse that looks pretty or has a funky name needs a bit of refining if we want to win big next time.

We really couldn't spent the weekend looking at Mount Rananui without climbing it. The oil tanker that had devastated the wild life in the area was visable on the horizon lodged into the reef. No one know why as apparently 'everyone knows there's a reef there'. Such a shame. The clean up teams were still hard at work on the beach, unfortunately most of the damage is being done out at sea, where apparently nothing can be done. Sad that today with all the scientific knowledge and equipment we have at our finger-tips that we still can't prevent things like this happening and trashing the nature we have left on our planet.

Despite the oil damage the views and scenery look fabulous and in good condition, the kiwi's are an incredibly environmentally-conscious bunch.

bit windy up by here!

 we just couldnt resist a few jumping shots at the top :

the frog dance

the finish line

The landing/girls surfing on gras while jsames pulls out his catasloge pose!

So all packed and excited for our 30-hour journey back to the UK via Australia and Dubai - James ever keen to find the cheapest flights. Adios from kiwiland and it's back to the chilly grey skies of home for a short interval in our travels... and to surprise the hell out of our families!

home fit for a king!