10 hours of driving so far in New Zealand; I haven’t driven for at least a year (and even that was only one trip over Christmas) so it's been a bit challenging but am still alive !
Luckily the roads in New Zealand are not exactly busy; there were long stretches when I didn’t see any other traffic at all once I’d got out of Auckland (and even that is a about 1/30 this size of London on a weekday). Fantastic scenery, some cases remind me a lot of England (without all the people) and some are just unique.
However my first trip took around 6 hours and it was pitch dark when I arrived thanks to the Sat Nav deciding to take me on a scenic tour of the New Zealand backroads (dirt tracks, gravel tracks); although with hindsight was interesting I did end up spinning the car on one gravel road luckily nothing else was coming and I didn‘t hit anything… (sorry Budget don‘t think I did too much damage - will get the car washed before I give it back so it doesn‘t look too bad as I am not meant to go on the backroads !!).
Have been to Okapere; the region is described by Lonely Planet as ‘of all the parts of the Northland this is the pocket that feels the most removed from the mainstream’ - they also mention that ‘many of the roads remain unsealed and in poor repair after decades of neglect’…. this I have certainly experienced !
Had a beautifull room by the sea looking out over the ocean and surprisingly cheap; went on a hike to Wairere Boulders National Park (www.wairereboulders.co.nz) and then on a Mauri cultural walk in the evening.
Another day of driving down past Auckland to Tauranga for about 6 hours - managed to avoid the detor on the back roads this time; am going to start spending more time in locations and less driving...
Went on a good hike around Tauranga but sadly forgot my camera; unfortunately there had been a lot of rain and there were a few tree's down and mudslides that made the route unpassable at a point - ended up getting covered in mud and sopping wet trying to bypass the obstacles before having to turn back.
Drove up to Pauanui for a few days; resort didn't quite have the internet connections that it mentioned online - actually just the oldest Dell computer I have ever come across. Luckily a good cheap restaurant with a roaring fire; unsurprisingly the lamb was fantastic.
Sadly England are now out of the World Cup; well beaten by Germany - which mean I lost the bet with the German who works in the Lobby... Damn. They looked old and without any real spark, bunch of overpaid prima donna's
A great hike in an area called The Pinacles; walked for a good 8 hours and barely covered any of the available hikes. Sadly it's really out of season for New Zealand so most of the sites on the route are closed.
Drove back up to Auckland and returned the hire care - managed to keep the car in one peice which was a good result.. next stop LA on Quantas; I hope the plane is better than the one I flew with them to Brisbane on in the past..
Overall barely scratched the surface of New Zealand, barely scratched the surface of the North Island - definitely a place to go back to at some point.
Lessons Learnt
Never trust Sat Nav; check a map for a logic check before ending on the back roads ….
Drive slowly on gravel tracks (as I found out when I spun the car !!)
England football will always disappoint you