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Showing posts from October, 2016

Camping in Raglan

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Last Sunday I met up with a friend from work and we went on a little explore of East coast north of Auckland.  He knows the area well so was happy to show me some spots I've not been to before. We began with brunch at a gorgeous little cafe in Matakana called Morris & James Pottery - it's a pottery (in case you hadn't guessed from the title) set inside a little brick courtyard with vines draping round everywhere - it was really cute, even with the rain pouring down.  I had a lush french toast with bacon and caramalised banana and Morry had eggs benedict (eggs benny if you're posh) and a million coffees. We jumped back in the car and began our journey north to Te Arai Point, where Morry had decided on the activity of cliff jumping (!!).  However, first there were a few pitstops to be made!  We drove past a random animal cafe/art gallery and my request to stop and look round was granted with glee.  Sadly the animals weren't too interested in us but we had

Exploring the areas just outside of Auckland

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It's been hard getting people to commit to weekend breaks away, so I have had to settle for convincing people to spend the day with me instead. Last weekend a bunch of us drove out to the Hunua Ranges, an hours drive south east of Auckland, and tackled a 3 hour hike starting from the Hunua Falls.  As it's been raining lots recently they were pretty torrential and muddy, but they look like they'd be fun to swim in when summer comes by (though apparently lots of people die there, so maybe not actually). Amy showcased her wonderful sense of direction by trying to lead us round in a circle but luckily there were other people in the team who did have navigational skills :-P.  We stopped to have lunch at a picnic bench overlooking a reservoir - me and Amin had clingwrapped bakery sandwiches, and Amy and Colin pull out delicacies such as pumpkin and feta quiche and salted caramel doughnuts and fudge!  They sure know how to picnic. It was a pretty w