First day's drive, Auckland airport to Shakespear Regional Park:
Marian had picked Shakespear Regional park for our first two nights. It is on a peninsula north of Auckland, a bluff with pastures and woodland, hedged with suburban developments on its south edge. On the approach to the park we were greeted with this "masterpiece" displayed in a frame about 10 by 10 feet:
As we drove in we noticed Pukekos everywhere.
The check-in process was informal. There were only two other vehicles in the campground.
It was only 1pm. After we tried and failed to nap, we went for a walk. The trail led through open pastures with sheep or cattle, and more pukeko, also lots of mynahs, and a number of less-common species that were hiding in the bushes and intriguing us with their varied calls.
As we climbed higher we got views of a small bay,
and views of blindingly green pastures.
We got a bit lost and walked further than we'd intended, but still got back to the van about 3pm. This was turning into a long day.
Marian filled a couple of hours by pulling out all our possessions and reorganizing all the storage space. The clumsy design and execution of the interior makes us appreciate Ed Anderson, the guy who designed our Adventurewagon at home. Marian says of this machine, it is the opposite of Dr. Who's Tardis, quite a bit smaller on the inside than it is on outside.
Tomorrow: a day-trip to TiriTiri Matangi Island.
1 comment:
The frame should be about 5° wider to get in the end of the Bay on the left and little tree on right. Google makes you jump thru hoops to post a comment, even including reading a "squiggle"
We're with you, carry on!
Bill & Jean.
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