Today we explored the area a bit more. We made a huge mistake. It was grey and raining so looking at the map we decided to drive to Russell instead of taking the ferry to Russell. (It was poor visibility and we thought it was a waste to go by sea.)

The first part of the journey was along a pleasant valley and we saw 2 lime green birds flying over, that we think were woodpeckers. Then it turned to a gravel road. As we travelled up, the road went along a ridge with terrifying drops either side!

We soon decided to turn back and that was also hard,to find a part of that road where there was enough room to turn.

Back in Paihia we went to a waterfall,

in the rain it did not look good. At a nearby coffee shop the owner suggested we go on the Matauri Bay road further north. He was astonished we’d tried the gravel road! Only go to Russell by ferry!

This road was wonderful and tarmacked all the way an easy drive through spectacular scenery of the bay of islands and Takou bay. We got to Matauri beach. It had stopped raining and was a bit grey but warmer. It was a long sandy beach with small islands close by in the sea.

I paddled all along the beach and the water was warm and clear, there were lots of shells there too. Children were surfing and there was a camp ground at one end of the bay. No shops only a car park. We spent the afternoon there and slowly drove round the tourist route loop stopping at view points and back to the motel.

I hope your half term holidays are going well. I know you have good spring weather in Oxford and lots of snow and sunshine in Austria.