Life's a beach!

Me with Rob at McLaren Falls Park
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While spring may not quite have sprung, it's definitely in the air, so it's time for a road trip.

Firstly I should introduce you all to the love of my life, Rob. Everyone - this is Rob!  (amusing fact: Rob's surname is Steele!).

Last Tuesday we hired the hostel car, and headed up the coast to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula.  Rob lived in the area for a couple of years, so was the perfect person to show me the delights of the area.

The Coromandel has so many beautiful beaches, it was just fantastic.  Because it's still winter they were all amazingly quiet, no more than a couple of people on each beach, if anyone at all.

I think this one speaks for itself!
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One of the beaches is called Hot Water Beach, as it has hot springs under the beach.  The idea is to dig a big hole in the sand and sit in the hot water, but the tide was in so you couldn't dig down, plus I hadn't taken my bikini (it's not really warm enough for that sort of silliness yet!).  Oh well, we'll just have to go back when it's warmer.

Another of the beaches we visited was Cook Beach, named as it was where Cook first landed in New Zealand.

We also went to Cathedral Cove, although we were pushed for time so didn't get right down to the beach to check out what is probably one of the most popular spots for a photo in New Zealand (sorry Sue!) - again I'm not too concerned as we will be back.

Middle Beach
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We spent the night at a nice little motel in Whitianga - fascinating fact: 'Wh' is pronounced 'F' in New Zealand, not much when a place is called Whitianga, but quite amusing when it is called Whakapapa, or Whakatane (or am I just incredibly juvenile?!).

The next day it was off to see more beaches and stunning scenery as we continued our tour of the peninsula. Unfortunately I can't remember the names of a lot of the beaches, so will update this blog when Rob has finished work and can remind me!  The weather was even better than the previous day, and we saw some lovely gardens in full bloom, with daffodils, snowdrops, birds of paradise and all other manner of flowers that I have never seen before.

Hot Water Beach
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We spent that night at a very plush motel in Coromandel Town (it probably wasn't that plush really but when you have been in hostels for nearly six months everything seems posh!!), had a few beers and one of the best pizzas I have ever had, and crashed out pretty early on - all that sea air makes you sleep well!

We drove back on Thursday as we both had work in the evening, but managed a nice scenic drive home, stopping off at a couple of lovely parks, including one that used to house a gold mine, not that you would know to look at it now!

Cook Beach
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Well, it's back to work now. I realise this maybe isn't the most interesting or informative entry in my journal, but really I just wanted to share the pictures with you!