Lindsey and Tom in New Zealand: 07/09/10

We started the day at the crack of dawn.
There was a persistent drizzle and the forecast was for more rain so we decided to do some short walks. The campsite had no running water and a hole for a loo so we drove back along the gravel track (past the landslide) to the visitor centre for a wash and to brush our teeth in the well-equipped toilets. Once we had freshened up as much as was possible we set off down the track to find somewhere to walk.

We found a short trail to Edward's lookout (a popular abseiling spot) which was estimated at an hour round trip. With the constant rain we decided to get fully suited and booted, so the waterproof overtrousers, gaiters and jackets were all donned ready for our ascent. We got to the top in 20 mins, looked at the views, which were mostly obscured by cloud and mist, and were back down to the van in another 5 minutes. Somehow we felt we had slightly over-prepared, but undeterred we set off to find a similarly challenging adventure.

A wet Tom.

Not far down the road we came across a sign for Kauri trails - the Billygoat trail and Dam walks. These were estimated at 1-4 hours, which was a bit more like it. So we set off down the track only to find a raging torrent blocking our way. Fortunately some 100m upstream someone had helpfully constructed a steel rope bridge, allowing us to continue one at a time. This was dubbed the 'anti-Carolyn' bridge as it was completely see-through as it was just made of steel cables with a thin wire mesh and slats. It oscillated in funky ways, but after a short while of having fun with the various resonances I decided it was probably a bad idea and tried to walk in anti-phase instead. The Billygoat trail took us up the mountains through forest along an old kauri logging route, with some of the tressles still remaining. The views were less than spectacular given that we had soon entered the cloud level. However, as we reached the top the rain stopped and the clouds lifted, providing amazing views of the valley and the waterfalls on the way back down.

Our first proper walk of the holiday was a success! With our spirits lifted we set off to use the visitor centre facilities once more and to continue on our way up the Coromandel Peninsula. It was a long winding drive along the coast to Coromandel town, we stopped for fuel and to take photos of the beautiful scenery. When we reached Coromandel we stopped at a cafe and had a good lunch of pizza for Lindsey and a double-decker toasted sandwich for me. We used the time in the warmth to update facebook and write emails on my phone, which has fantastic 3G reception over here, far better and faster than in the UK.

Travelling on from Coromandel we had further views and then the tarmac ceased and we were on unsealed roads for the rest of the way to the campsite. We arrived at Waikawau Bay campsite in plenty of time, which although catering for 350 vans and tents was completely deserted save for one other van. We picked a spot next to a tap and drove straight out onto the field only to realise that we'd got the van stuck in the mud. The next hour was spent getting very muddy attaching the showchains to give us enough traction to get out of the field and choose a more sensible, drier location to park up. We scouted out the facilities - cold showers, proper flushable toilets and running water (which had to be boiled before drinking). Then we got cooking, and cleaning off mud ready for a tea of pasta with sauce and bread. Unfortunately we left the van doors open too late and the rest of the evening was spent swatting mosquitoes, but even in conjunction with liberal application of insect repellent I still managed to wake up with bites on either hip and on my hands.