And so the Adventure Begins!

The big moment arrived, and following last minute cleaning, a packing marathon and a final trip to the supermarket, we were ready to depart.  Our dear neighbours came out to take our photo capturing the momentous occasion, and then we were on our way!

We pulled into a carpark about 5 minutes down the road and managed to tear a metal guard off the back left hand corner of the caravan when a driveway proved steeper than expected, so the tool kit came out and DH performed the first of what we expect to be numerous running repairs.

I’d been toying with the idea of tormenting my DH and PB with a ‘trip song’.  Something to play each time we hit the road to our next destination.  To my delight, DH had the SAME thought, and had gone to the effort of selecting a song.  So, with ‘Don’t Worry Bout It’ by Kings  (NZ song, naturally)  blaring, we hit the highway.  I’ve always loved the view of Auckland from the Harbour Bridge on a beautiful day, and this was no exception.  Sun sparkling off the water and the sky tower and buildings bright and hopeful.

First stop, Wenderholm Regional Park.  What a great park!  Beautiful beach, clean facilities and lots of space and trees.  So close to Auckland, why haven’t we been more often?  DH rescued a poor little bird that had become trapped in a toilet and PB spent ages running up and down a long puddle on the beach.  A lovely start to our adventure.

First night, freedom camping it!!  Woop!  We found a fabulous freedom camping spot at Snell’s Beach.  Playground, waterfront walkway, clean facilities, big grassy space, right by the water and only spaces for about 5 campers, so quite quiet.  (Sunburst Ave).

We loved it so much, we left the caravan there the next day when we ventured out to Ti Point Reptile Park.  (Very cool, turtles, lizards, Chameleon, aligators, monkey, newts, tarantula!)  And to Goat Island.  Goat Island was packed with people.  PB and I saw a big fish swim right by us while we were wading in the water!

Northbound!