Walk, swim, eat, walk, pack could sum up today but perhaps I'd better put a bit more detail in! The day started warm and sunny and we travelled the rest of the way down the peninsula we are staying on to reach Shakespear Regional Park at the end. There were several areas to visit and we chose a beach to start with. We got in conversation with a lady, originally from the UK but a resident here for over 20 years and she told us how the area had developed during that time.

We then moved the car to another area and did a very pleasant walk - quite a lot of up and down again but today out in the open instead of in native bush as yesterday. We reached a lookout about half way and had 360 degree views of the surrounding land and sea - stunning! Then, hot and sweaty again, we decided to cool off in the sea and went to another beach in the park. Although a bit chilly, it was just what we needed. Of course then we had the problem of getting the swimming things dry for packing tonight. In the event, just leaving them in the car on the dashboard did the trick as it was so hot!

View towards Auckland from our walk

Lunch followed - a very basic affair sitting on the grass in the shade at yet another beach. We felt a drink other than water was in order, though and to get this we had to leave the park. In nearby Gulf Harbour - a new marina village - we found iced mocha drinks which fitted the bill and sat near the yachts drinking and thinking how unlike us, all these surroundings were! We have seen many marinas such as this during our time here and there are lots of boats in them but one has to wonder if they are ever used! Mind you we did watch some yachts in a race last night as we sat on our terrace and there must have been at least 10 of them racing!

After our drinks we returned to the park and went for another walk. This time in native bush. I should tell you that most of this park is protected by a predator fence, which keeps out rats and possums and the like which would eat the eggs and young of the native NZ birds, given the chance. NZ birds have suffered very badly from such predators over the years. These predators are, of course, not native to NZ but introduced by colonists. It is difficult to eradicate these predators and most sanctuaries for birds are on islands, where it is easier to do this. Hence our visit to Stewart Island.

All one very large tree!

Our walk took us along a gully which led to a waterfall but as they have had little rain here since Christmas it was just a trickle! However we did see lots of tuis and fantails and Steve tried his best to get photos of them!

 A tui

By the middle of the afternoon we had returned to our motel, which was just as well because it tipped it down! It didn't last too long and we now have a lovely evening. Steve is currently photographing a spectacular sunset.

Sunset over Whangaparoa

Sunset looking the other way from our terrace

We now have to go and pack - you may say that's not news as you do it every few days - but this time it is major packing and getting everything into two cases and two pieces of hand luggage as we prepare to leave NZ and fly to Melbourne tomorrow. I think it is quite likely that we will not post a blog tomorrow, what with flying and then being two hours back but we'll see what we can do!