Beach!

After a slightly unsettled night (first time in new beds), we got through our first morning routine and waved goodbye to Miranda. The plan was a gentle hour's drive to a beachside campsite, for some sun, sea and sandcastles. Once we'd left the farmland and entered the Coromandel peninsula (such a wonderful name), gentle soon turned into steep and windy, which added extra time to the journey (a good lesson for my route-planning estimates); but it was still only lunchtime when we arrived to another friendly welcome, and a very efficient first test of our motorhome servicing skills (we still have the routine and responsibilities down pat, and I did bring my own latex gloves, which are indispensable...) Still plenty of time for the beach.

Jemima and Kevin went to take a look once we'd parked up, while I made some tea (I do this every time we stop, because I still love being able to drive somewhere and then make my a cup of tea without going anywhere...) I asked what he thought, and he said I'd better go to look. Up over the dune, and I was confronted by a huge length of white sand and blue sea, out of which rose tree-topped craggy islands. It was probably busy by NZ standards, but it was pretty empty to us. And pretty perfect. One of the best beaches ever, actually.

Bag packed, bodies creamed (you can feel the strength of the sun, it's pretty scary), and we were off. Jemima ran in and out of the waves shrieking as we walked down the beach to catch a boat taxi to Cathedral Cove. This was the next door beach, with a famous limestone arch carved between two bays - beautiful, striking, and very popular. We had a fun couple of hours splashing and playing before the water taxi home (about £20 per person return, with about 16 people per voyage, and one voyage every half an hour - Kevin was impressed by the boatman's moneymaking skills while spending his days driving a boat in a stunningly beautiful place...) Then an evening drink; very tasty pizza from the on-site shop while Jemima befriended yet more young Kiwis in the next door playground; a lovely shower, and a present of birthday party Paw Patrol goodies from Enrico, who'd just turned four (we met in the shower block - New Zealanders are so friendly). And then bed. We could happily stay here for a week - which, it seems, is what most people are doing. But we are not on a leisurely holiday, we have places to go and things to do! So onwards again tomorrow.

Wifi is unreliable now we aren't in hotels, so I may not be able to post every day. But hopefully every other day, at least! More pictures to follow tomorrow...

 

Morning fun:

 

Driving views:

 

 

Hahei Beach and the Holiday Park:

 

 

 

 

 

Boat trip:

 

 

Cathedral Cove:

 

 

 

 

 

The boat home:

 

Pizza and playtime:

 

 

Miranda To Hahei Beach: