And so it ends!

It's now Thursday 30th April and I didn't manage to finish the final post I started at Auckland airport. I had wifi issues so intended to post back in the UK, but not this long after I returned!!  Managed to jettison most of the gear I had accumulated for my travels in Paihia on the Sunday, which was good, and left for Auckland on the Monday as planned, stopping off at a place called Leigh along the way for a look see.  Very close to Goat Island which is a marine reserve popular with divers. The harbour area was very pretty as was the coastline, but I was restricted to hobbling around fairly close to the car as I have seriously damaged my Achilles. How you might ask? We'll, whilst in Paihia I decided I would  do an interval training session. The walking had been going very well, the legs were strong and I thought no problem! About 15 minutes in my Achilles just went! Lucky I wasn't planning any last farewell walk eh!! So I struggled the last couple of days and it's still sore as hell!
TheTuesday before I flew home on the Wednesday was largely a bits and pieces day. Did a bit of shopping, got a hair cut and did most of my packing! Then found a swimming pool!  Had some time Wednesday morning so went for a jolly along Tamarki Drive to St Hellier, and back via Mission Bay, where I stopped for my last coffee and cake installment of the trip! Top drawer coffee and chocolate cake!! And would you believe the cafe was celebrating an anniversary and giving away free cup cakes!! I limited myself to two! A long but uneventful flight home save to say that I had a couple of beers for breakfast at Abu Dhabi airport, well three actually. Eight pounds fifty a pop!!
Jo met me at Manchester Airport from where we went straight to see my new grandson, Charles Josef! Spent the weekend in West Yorkshire before coming over to East Yorkshire to do a shed load of jobs on the house. Will return to West Yorkshire after the bank holiday and help Amie out for a couple of weeks as Phil has to go back to work, and because Charlie was born by cesarian in the end Amie is not allowed to do anything for 6 weeks! After that I'll go down to Norfolk to see family for a few days and go straight from there to explore the Balkans and surrounds for the summer, probably around the end of the 3rd week in May, until whenever! May even do a blog!!
My final picture is even more awesome than my time in NZ!!
Yours ever,
Glen

Hihi

Mangonui

Taupo Bay

On to Whangaroa

Tauranga Bay

Mahinepau

Te Ngaete and Wainui

Up to Mangonui

Spent the day exploring the coast north of Paihia, as far as Mangonui. But you know that!! Just beautiful! Almost on a par with lunch!
Some pictures of Matauri Bay attached.
Grandad Glen!!

Lunch in Mangonui!!

Just finished lunch! Fish and chips and a pint, with a view to die for, followed by coffee and cake!  And I've got to say the caramel slice, like the fish and chips, was top drawer! I'm off to find a beach to crash out for an hour!

Couple more from my walk

Paihia

Just wandered round the bay till early afternoon. Awesome! Then went for a swim in the bay this afternoon. The waters a couple of degrees colder up here but you soon warm up! Not!!
Some pictures from my walk attached. Can't do the Cape Brett walk as there's a iron man challenge of sorts on over there this weekend. So I'm just going to explore a bit further up the coast tomorrow. Apparently, the best fish and chips 'in the world' to be had at a place called Mangonui, so I'll be timing my visit for lunch time!
Glen x

A Grandson!!

Learned yesterday that I am now the very proud grandfather of 'Charlie Josef Whitehead', born to my youngest daughter Amie and her husband Phil yesterday. The first boy in the Darnell line weighed in close to 10 lbs and I'm pleased to report mum, dad and Charlie are all doing well!! Thought I'd give you a mention too Phil!! Can't wait to see him and introduce myself!! Will go straight there from the airport! Had a couple of pints to celebrate last night and didn't I know about it this morning!!
Just wish dad had had the opportunity to meet him. Life's  a puzzle eh!
Take care,
Glen x

Back to the Bay of Islands!!

I always promised myself that if I had time I would come here before I went home. And here I am!! Back in the Bay of Islands!! The drive here was largely a hike up state highway 1, which I've described before, way back at the beginning, so no repeat. I feel good about being here again. There's something quite spiritual about it for me. I've treated myself to something a little more up market as well! I'll rest up tomorrow and just 'be' if that makes sense, before taking on a walk to Cape Brett on Saturday. Quite demanding by all accounts. Will probably stay here until Monday before heading back to Auckland.
So, no pics except one from the balcony of my room. Nothing special but it does have a view out into the bay!
Glen x

Last of the Pinnacles

More Pinnacles

The Pinnacles Again

The Pinnacles

The weather forecast said get up and down quick so I did! Again the temperature has struggled today. The wind has been cold and although it was a mixture of sunshine and cloud this morning it was quite cold. This afternoon was forcast for heavy rain with some hail thrown in! Just got back to the car when it started!! Talk about timing!!
But what a walk! So good. A great way to end my walking in NZ.
Hope you enjoy the pictures.
I'll head out tomorrow following the coastline of the Firth of Thames along its southern edge and then up the west side towards Auckland and see what I find!
Glen x

Couple more Firth of Thames

Driving Along The Firth of Thames

Looking out into the Hauraki Gulf from the Coast Road

More Takatea Lookout

Up to Takatea Lookout