After b/fast, D walked with the kids to the "beach" (shore of Arapoa River) whilst L performed her morning Pilates! Swapped one of M's books before leaving, and she was not impressed! Drove east, to Brynderwyn, to pick up the SH1 and head south. Bought cheese loaf & French sticks @ Pukekaroro for tonight's "French Picnic", then found a nice deli @ Kaiwaka (cheese, pate & "champagne"), next door to a great café (Eutopia) - funky design & fabulous...

Woke at 7am and spent an hour reading guidebook & map, planning the next couple of days. Kids woke just before 8, and we were on the road for 9, after breakfast & school work. Drove to Matakohe & the Kauri Pioneer Museum - impressive displays of Kauri wood, carvings, furniture & gum, pus the history of the area & the industry. Then drove to Lake Kai Iwi to eat lunch by the shore, & on to the Waipoua forest. First stop the forest l...

Early start, quick breakfast, then ~90 min drive to Russell, Bay of Islands. Kids enjoyed the brief car ferry ride, across from Paihia! Glorious sunshine, but a good sea breeze, once on the coast. Spent an hour looking around Russell, after booking our dolphin watching cruise tickets, including a fantastic art gallery featuring local artists (L liked the look of a $3000 painting!) Drove to the Matauwhi Bay Recreational Reserve to eat lunch, overlooking a bay...

Breakfast & scool work, then packed car whilst kids played in the campsite's playground. Short drive to beach car park and the "Long Finned Eel" bridge, where a camera crew were photographing a girl running along the beach, with Lion Rock in the background. Walked along beach and climbed Lion Rock to the lookout (a bit scary in places!), then walked the Tasman Lookout Track, overlooking The Gap & Taitomo Island. Glorious day - very sunny! Then drove ...

Kids up first! Gwyn made them crumpets for breakfast, much to their delight! Less delighted to do school work with L while D packed car! Eventually set off just after 12 after saying goodbye to Gwyn, and set off west. First stop: Titirangi for food shopping and to buy a NZ road map. Then drove down to the beach (black sand!) where there was a kids playground. After 20 mins playing, followed the scenic drive to Arataki Information Centre. Lots of information ...