on the Miranda Coast enjoying the space and shorebirds.
Sun 17th March
The Kauaeranga Valley staying at the Whangaiterenga DOC forest campsite. Delightful forest walks with tomtits following along the trackside.
Memories of walking to the Pinnacles hut in 2012 from this amazing valley came flooding back. The road is still an unforgiving axle breaker and gets flooded out at times when the river is just a raging torrent.
Monday 18th and Tues 19th
North to Coromandel Township - a great ride passing some memorable places. This is a great coastline to experience amazing sunsets over the Firth of Thames towards the Hunua ranges.
Staying at Shelly beach for a couple of nights just North of Coromandel .
Pateke ducks here at the end of the beach and variable oystercatcher roosting too. Morning rail ride on the Driving Creek railway through some amazing bush. That's always been on my bucket list. Its now ticked off.
Wed 20th
Then to the Whangapoua and the William Mangakahia lagoon reserve to walk the rocky coast and then follow the track over the hill to New Chums beach. This is just a stunning location and I began to consider that maybe we should just leave some of these place to nature and resist the need to access everywhere. I felt it was a pure privilege to set foot on this beach.
Next stop Matarangi. This seemed familiar but I have never been here before but gradually remembered an invitation to stay here some years ago to assist with some dotterel minding. Unfortunately that didn't happen. A freedom camp site at the reserve by the boat ramp was perfect for watching the sun go down over the Coromandel hills.
Thurs 21st
Otama beach and Opito via some narrow gravel roads. More stunning beaches and then South via Whitianga to rest the night at Cooks Beach. A beautiful day with still warm sea temperatures and access later to an outside swimming pool. The next morning a return look at Ferry Landing and the old dairy recorded on my Rural Rides featured on my web site has now been renovated to a little café.
Fri 22nd
Hahei in the misty rainfall but still looks stunning with small offshore islands. Great walk up to the pa site.
Sat 23rd
Hot Water beach. Well there is only one thing to do here and that is dig sand!!!
Sun 24th
Tarua and Pauanui. Counted 51 NZ dotterel and 1 banded dotterel on the Ocean beach near the Royal Billy Point Park. High tide was 10.28 at 2 metres my count was at 1.15pm. Also 7 Variable oystercatcher on the beach.