Started the day chatting with the two Alans at breakfast. One of the Alans is an academic neurologist in Auckland so had the opportunity to learn a bit about NZ healthcare. They were off to Cape Reinga while I was packing up. First stop was the Northland A & P show, sort of a county fair type of event. All sorts of farm equipment was for sale and even cars from the local Honda, Nissan, and Toyota showrooms. Competitions were to be held all day long. I saw part of the dressage on horses. But what was really great was seeing the children with their lambs. At the lamb calling contest a child, probably between 5 and 7, would stand on one side of a ring and call his/her lamb. The lamb was supposed to go to the child. Out of five, only one made a straight beeline the boy who called him. The others, despite much prodding from the rear, never quite got the idea. I saw part of the wood chopping contest Savouring the Source was an exhibit of a variety of culinary products including a number of wines, olive oil, avocado oil, jams, and spices. There were cooking demos from the NZ Culinary Institute and food for sale. I had an early lunch - lamb in pita and then had to leave. Would have been fun to have spent more time there.
Headed west across Northland to the west side. Read about the Waiere boulders in Lonely Planet so decided to visit After several kilometers on a gravel round, I found the place and parked next to a little cabin. One other car was there. As I got out of the car this bearded white haired NZ countryman came down the hill, the caretaker of the place. He collected the money, explained the site, and gave me a map. I didn't realize I would have to spend almost an hour walking around the place,but since I had arrived decided to see what was there. The boulders are large basalt rocks in a river bed, interesting. There were explanatory signs around and about the boulders and the kauri tree, NZ' pride and joy (the largest tree in NZ, but most have been cut down.) The sun was out and it was a nice walk - then back out the other way down an even longer gravel road to the highway.
Arrived at the coast at the outlet of Hotianga Harbor which was magnificent. This huge giant sand dune on one side of the entrance, sunshine and beautiful water. Stopped and took a short walk to view the magnifenct coast. Then back in the car heading south through the famous Kauri forest. No time to stop (which would have meant some extended hike). I was behind schedule so just kept going. Had intended to stop in Dargaville and go to the museum, but chose to skip it and head to the Kauri Museum further down the coast. Nick at the B&B and Lonely Planet both gave it8 great reviews. I arrived 30 minutes before closing. Not enough time to do it justice, but quite a good museum about the tree, the logging industry, and the uses of the wood.
Then on to the next B&B, about 45 minutes from there at Snells Beach, about 70 km north of Auckland. Hosted by Allison and Rodney, a well traveled couple in their 70's. No sooner had I entered their home than I was invited to join them and their friends for dinner and fireworks viewing from the upstairs window for Guy Fawkes Day. I accepted. Two other couples came, former rugby players with Rodney. Interestingly Rodney and George dominated the conversation; I learned a lot about their youth, sheep shearing, problems getting local water, and a bit about the "leaky home" problem due to poor construction that I had heard about on the news. The woman at the table had little to say and no one invited me into the conversation at all or seemed interested in knowing anything at all about me. The fireworks were nice (our USA 4th of July fireworks are much better.)
