The Northern Circle. Tuesday 2nd June 2020

I have tried to get hold of an old school friend, Jeanette, but she can't meet up with us until tomorrow so to day we are off in the car to drive through the countryside and several small towns in  Northland. Our first stop is Kerikeri, which is a modern bustling town, where the citrus industry (also kiwifruit) seems to have bolstered the farming economy. We have morning tea here. From there we visit Tauranga Bay on the Eastern side of the Northland Coastline. We went there one year when we first started camping - got talking to this guy who recommended going to Hahei instead.

It is a lovely beach and Duncan sort of recognises the camping ground layout. Simon was one, so it is a while ago!!

All the pasture seems so green and lush - as I was trying to show in this next shot, and the stock looked particularly well cared for.

We cruised into Whangaroa which was a sheltered spot with millions of dollars worth of boats anchored in the marina There was also an extensive area of oyster farms.

These people seemed to have an extraordinarily large boat in their driveway which they were painting. I dont know how they are going to get it into the sea again!! 

Then on through more attractive pastoral scenes.

We stopped for lunch at Mangonui. It was lovely to sit outside, but the seagulls were dancing in attendance.

Duncan had the seafood chowder - there seemed to be a large fishing enterprise at the small port nearby.

Cooper's Beach had a large Opulent subdivision - but nothing too interesting here.

We then head to Kaitaia. We pass the Awanui Pub where Duncan stayed  while on a cricket trip. He was just a schoolboy, back home for the holidays, but got shouted beers left right and centre and got to experience a hangover! Its amazing what will concentrate the mind, and although he did not bat particularly well, he managed to take five sharp catches in the slips and at cover. At Kaitaia we sat for a while so that I could listen to Fiona Glengary's funeral via zoom. It was a very good experience - although the organist fumbled a bit. 

Now we are at the top of our loop and turn South, back down SH1 again for a while before branching back to Paihia. At Okaihau there is a big conglomerate of primary, secondary and intermediate schools which obviously serves a large rural area. We pass through about 3pm and there are large numbers of buses and children.

The final point of interest was the presence of a Macadamia farm , however either it was being replanted or had been let down to a great extent. A bit of a disappointment.  There have been a number of macadamia growers up north that have the older style of trees where you have to scramble among the prickly leaves to pick the nuts. Often they are picked before they come to full maturity.  They are very resentful to Vanessa who has taken over 30 years to develop new strains, and now they have to PAY for new trees.