Manukua District
Trip Start
Apr 15, 2008
1
45
60
Trip End
Apr 01, 2010
Thames,
North Island,
New Zealand
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The rolling green hills of the Hunua ranges are a wonderful backdrop to this stretch of New Zealand coastline, craggy bays southeast of Auckland follow the flat sandy coastline of the Firth of Thames. Across the green hues of the sea the mountains of the Coromandel Peninsular stand like sentinels on the horizon. Further south one can find the Seabird Coast which serve as nesting grounds for many of New Zealand's feathered population. Along the coast many award winning wineries can be found along with world renowned oyster sellers.
Orere Point is a small village nestled on the shores of the Firth of Thames with views of the green coated islands of the Hauraki Gulf , the setting is idyllic. Our reason for being here was to take up Rachel's (One of my ex team members), kind offer to use her caravan for the week.
Julie with David & Carolyn Taka
Just after arriving, Rachel's Mum and Dad, Carolyn and David arrived to greet us; they have the caravan next door and have been coming to Orere since Rachel was about 6 years old. I guess that's about 15 years then Rachel! The caravan site was really clean and tidy and the people very friendly, it proved as a great base to visit the surrounding villages and Auckland 's southern suburbs. Clevedon - Is a rural community only an hour south from the city life of Auckland but a world apart with its laid back country charm. The main street is lines with little shops, galleries and cafes. We visited on a Sunday which is when they hold a local craft and goods market in the village centre, prices are good and all traders are just local residents selling their surplus supplies of garden veggies, cakes and handy crafts. Sunday is a double treat as on the edge of town they hold a Farmers Market too, mostly organic products which will blow the taste buds away. We treated ourselves to some treats from both markets which made for some tasty meals under the gazebo back at the campsite.
Onehunga - Julie was in need of some retail therapy today and had spotted an outlet shopping village in one of the information leaflets. We drove the hour or so into Auckland 's southern suburbs. We tramped! Around the shops for a while, and then took a walk up the main street and enjoyed a delicious lunch in a nice whole food café, I tell you we have eaten so healthy since being in NZ, there is so much fresh natural food available it's easy
Auckland Botanical Gardens
. After lunch we spent a couple hours in the internet café, to learn Julie's brother Mark was now coming out to join us for a few weeks in Perth, so that will be great to catch up with him. Auckland Botanical Gardens are set on a hillside south of the city, the gardens are free! And there is a nice restaurant serving tasty meals and snacks. The gardens make for a very peaceful afternoon stroll and are split into different sections to educate and bring out the horticulturalist in us all! One large area is dedicated to native flora, which unfortunately is becoming scarce in New Zealand, local councils are doing all they can to promote the planting of native plants to regenerate the dwindling numbers. The native plants also help the reduction in landslides, which we have witnessed as we have driven around the country.
Farm Helpers. Prior to leaving New Zealand we returned to help on Jude's farm near Thames . We enjoyed a productive few days wiring fences, digging drainage and our parting gesture was to build a dry-stone walled garden and landscape it as a memorial to Jude's beloved Dalmatian, "Crystal", who's ashes were placed in the garden, I think the garden will remind Jude of her farm helpers too! We have had a brilliant time on the farm, we even got to have a go at milking the neighbours cows! However climbing down into a pit with 30 cow's backsides aimed at you is not quite what I had in mind! You have to be very nimble on you feet to move out of the way when one decides to release! In summary we would highly recommend the farm stays as a way of meeting real Kiwi's, even if you only do it for a few days. All of our hosts have been lovely people but Jude's laughter and passion for life has been inspirational and the food at the local Muddy River Café was heavenly!
