The Coromandel

Being in the Coromandel is like being on holiday in Spain. The weather has been unbelievable the past week or so. Hitting 20oC most days with beautiful sunshine everyday. I've been living in shorts and summer dresses this week, someone which I don't think I've ever managed to do back in Scotland!

The Coromandel has so many beautiful sandy beaches and coves. The roads are pretty winding but beautiful views to make up for it. We stayed in Whitianga and visited Cathedral Cove. It was a 40 minute walk in and pretty steep in places, but it was totally worth it when we got there. A fantastic domed cove roof, which gives it its name. 

We sat in the sand and had lunch, it was so like being on holiday we didn't want to leave and do the walk back up. If it was a bit warmer we would have ventured into the sea, but we might just wait another month or so before braving that!

We also went out to Hot Water Beach. So called because when the tide goes out there is hot water beneath the sand. A natural thermal pool. Stuart went out with spade in hand and dug himself in a little hot tub.

The water was way too hot for me so I stood in the cooler waters of the sea. It was sooooo busy. I couldn't believe the amount of people on such a small stretch of beach.

There was a group of friends there that had the right idea. There was about 10 of them, all with spades, and they dug out a massive pool to sit in. They even had food and beers to enjoy while taking a soak.

Stuart spotted a ray out in the water and managed to take a picture. I think it must like the warm waters too.

Stuart has been going on about this Hot Water Beach for ages, so I think he's pretty chuffed now that he's been.

We have also been working while out here! The Bird Sanctuary we were camping at asked if we were willing to do some jobs for them. He paid us $100 a day plus free accommodation so it seemed a really good deal. We spent two days on a quad and trailer pulling out dead trees, tons of leaves and hedge cuttings, and then burning it all on massive fires. It was easy work but labour intensive work, but definitely worth the money we were paid. Plus we got to see the animals on the farm and in the park as much as we liked. I loved the horses, and donkeys, and little rabbits, and a 'chook' that kept following us around, it was like a dog.

Further on up the coast we stayed the night at another farm on the way to Stony Bay. I got up early and helped the woman on the farm feed the animals. She had two lambs, two calves and two baby kids that all needed bottle fed. I loved doing it, I've been wanting to get close to a lamb since being here. And you can't getting any closer! :-)

In Coromandel we went to the Driving Creek Railway. A few people had told us about it and said it was a must do. It is a completely hand built railway that goes 3km up the side of a steep hill. It was all built by one guy. He originally built it to bring clay down from the hill to use in his pottery, but that was only about 500m up. The rest he built for fun! Because he liked railways!

The carriages are so small because the track with its tunnels and bridges is so narrow.

It's a very cute little train journey to the top where there is a lookout.

And then the return journey back down. It took an hour and was well worth the small charge. The guy who built it is now 77 and still making pottery on site. He takes no money made from the train. The staff are paid and then the rest goes to conservation. The land surrounding the track has been planted as native forest, including 9000 Kauri trees. He's a very passionate guy!