Well, well, well punters! What a funny old world we live in?!
My first wife and I were invited independently to join close friends to celebrate Christmas.
A chance coversation together and we determined that we might try a road trip, or two, together in the Bus With No Name.
Driving out of Hamilton we headed for Raglan.
This pic was taken on Christmas Day, 2 days prior to the commencement of The Road Trip.
A wild camp site at Woody Head on the coast out from Raglan.
The impressive Waireinga/Bridal Veil Falls near Raglan.
Soaking up a bit of the summer sun at Kawhia Harbour.
Not many people know about this place...........it's not included in every road trip.
This is Waikawau Beach, north of Awakino. Access to the beach is via a pedestrian tunnel.
A good road trip should always include The Coromandel, so off we head to Port Jackson!
A campsite right on the beach is what a good road trip is all about.
5 metres from the bus to the water at full tide - are we having fun yet??.
It's sapping work keeping an eye on the rod tip.
The fish (kahawai) hook themselves here.
Even the most well-organised road trip gets a bit of inclement weather!
The Mangatangi Resevoir in the Hunua Ranges welcomed the rain.
Off to Whananaki on the east coast north of Whangarei.
Longest footbridge in the southern hemisphere - the 400 metre wooden bridge joins North and South Whananaki together.
No road trip is complete without a visit to my beloved Maitai Bay.
How cool's this?
Feeling like a break at Waipapakauri Ramp on 90 Mile Beach, why not drop in for a latte?!
Another magical camping spot is Taputaputa Bay, about 5 kilometres from Cape Reinga.
A demanding walk around the coast gets you to Te Rerenga Wairua.
It's definitely the end of the road when you reach Cape Reinga.
Legend has it that spirits depart via the old pohutukawa tree clinging to the rock at bottom right.
This very cunning bit of photography is a panoramic view of my favourite spot in the far north - Maitai Bay on the Karikari Peninsular.
Journal junkies will know that I spend more time here than any other part of the country.
I had to check out if the pot of gold was waiting for me at the base.
One of our country's golden moments.........sunrise at mighty Maitai Bay!
Off to the south island now for a few snow pics.
Thanks for watching.
Good luck to all your families.
