We started with eggs and bacon for breakfast before packing up and heading off. This is where we were enjoying the top level for the last few days.
We started off the trip with a drive down the street to the river. Hopping out at the end of the dead end we found a grassy park and wandered across and down to see the views across the mangroves.
There is no rambling riverside path, so we hopped back into the car and headed out of Auckland in search of places to see. We passed the huge Wakamete cemetery on the way-a whole suburb space taken up by green areas and graves!
We are regularly seeing mechanical workshops offering WOF. Eventually we saw a sign telling us this means warrant of fitness. It must be their roadworthy testing.
Trip advisor had shown a small walk to a waterfall which was pretty much on our way. It is apparently not a big drawcard in the area, and after driving right past the entrance and briefly considering purchasing a local property
we finally decided to stop and investigate a grassy patch with a small pull off area. Sure enough, a narrow track led off into the trees and soon became a slippery track. Glad it wasn't any wetter. After a short stroll we came to some lovely falls cascading into what looked to be quite a deep pool.
The track meandered past this sad little cemetery on its way.
In the towns we are seeing banners with poppies on them advertising the 100 years of Anzac Day and reminding us of our shared heritage.
Next stop was a beach with black sand which took us quite a while to find. Eventually we found it. Apparently the swimming is risky and the local surf club patrol a space about 50m wide between the flags. It was very popular on Easter Sunday. You can see the shiny bits in the black sand in this first photo.
You can see the cars on the beach. Apparently it gets really busy here at times. Today there were a few cars and bikes driving up and down at pace among the walkers and swimmers.
As well as the pampas grass this plant that looks like a kangaroo paw on steroids abounds across this area.
Arriving at our evening accommodation we took a stroll around the ground. It used to be a priory and we are staying in the "brothers house" where once they would have studied and decided on their calling. We visited "the grotto" down by the creek , admired their wood stock and the local grounds. It now has a 100 seat theatre, gymnasium and full conference facilities which are well used for weddings apparently.
Easter lilies out in bloom.
This was a working farm and still has the cows.
There is also a resident boar here (looks like a black hairy barrel on legs with tusks). He is called "Piggy". I tried to take a photo of him rooting around in the dark but it didn't work out.
We cooked dinner in the communal kitchen here and got talking to a Swedish couple who recently stayed with Kay H in Adelaide!! It is a small world 😊
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