Provence Tayl's

Sunday 24th January
How English does this look! Green rolling hills and cloudy skies, but warm!

We were driving towards the Coromandel Peninsula where we stopped for .........lunch!
My first Ribs in years!



Our first beach in New Zealand, Whangapoua beach , the clouds parted just in time!


From here we headed to Whitianga to stay overnight, an area with a lovely beach, harbour and excellent restaurants.






In the evening it was time to eat and enjoy some more of the wonderful New Zealand wines in the company of Sooty & jules and Chris & Britta who run a local bar and restaurant.



There are some stunning waterside homes being constructed although the market appears to have taken quite a hit during the recession.






On Monday after a fine breakfast at Chris & Britta's we headed to Hot Water beach.



This beautiful unspoilt beach is famous for the temperature of the springs under the sand where the water reaches 64 degrees centigrade. We can confirm it is seriuosly hot!

Superb conditions for surfing............


And great scenary, quite different to that we are used to in Provence.



And before we knew it , it was time for lunch, this is what you call a ploughmans!


Wise thoughts!



To help raise funds to pay for our eating (and drinking) we have taken up part time employement, Karen sets to work


Whilst I find work picking Kiwis!



Tuesday 26th January

But we finally get work together, skippering this rather smart boat!


Its a tough life but someone has to do it!





We took the boat which belongs to Sooty, to Mount Maunganui where we moored up for lunch.We walked to the top later in the afternoon where the views are amazing.I should add that we met Sooty & Jules in September 2008 when they stayed at our villa les Cypres. You never know where your holday might lead!

Not happy with just one bottle Karen!



Really beautiful scenary........



Time to head back................



And the ships captain, Floyd, a real character!


And so ends our first glimpses and impressions of the North Island. The weather has been kind, the scenary impressive and beautiful. Food has been of a high quality with good friendly service, not cheap, certainly on a par with Europe.
Tomorrow is another day...................