Whitianga, Coromandel Town and beyond ...

We had a bit of a quiet day today - Saturday. So we decided to go for a bit of a drive and see what the country looks like north of where we are staying. A 90 minute drive to Coromandel Town and we went on a train ride for an hour through the native bush. This train has been done by this private guy who set up the lot. He bought the 60acres in 1978 and started laying the tracks, building the train,


building this double decker rail bridge (there are several normal bridges that he had to build),

getting rid of imported trees and planting stacks of kauri trees. He also built these decks that the 'trains' go out onto to turn around.. They stick out over the drop...

He is trying to save all this native NZ flora and fauna on his property by pest proof fencing, removal of unwanted trees and planting of desired ones.

I found my beach.... almost deserted.... great fishing.... protected waters... etc etc etc..



Local inhabitants ....


Check out this sign... What manual does this come out of!!!!

On the way back home at dusk there was this huge pig silloetted against the skyline and I got the photo but we also saw an eagle on the side of the road picking at a dead possum - and when I pulled up it just sat there !! But I did not get that photo!!>:o(

Shell: well we got going late as Lyall said but the drive was nice - we searched for some yummy ice cream like we had in Russell but to no avail. We are going to go to Whitianga to church tomorrow so that will be another chance to buy ice cream.