Coromandel

For just over two weeks recently I explored something of Coromandel and Northland. Here are a few photos from the Coromandel part of the journey.

I spent a night in Hamilton en route and reconnected with some old friends. Called into the Cathedral Cathedral which has been extended since my days as a student in the city.

 I based myself in Thames for a few days at an old hotel. Romantic idea, but the noise from the bar wasn't conducive to sleep a couple of nights... The church of St James over the road was an impressive sight in the sunshine. Note the rainbow- sun only came in small snatches on this wintertime journey.

It was a beautiful trip north to Coromandel Town, with many views out to sea. I finally came to know what is meant by the 'Islands of the Hauraki Gulf".

A highlight for me was a trip on the railway at the property where Barry Brickell lived and worked as a potter for many years. What an inspirational man.

 The views from the Eye-Full tower at the top were impressive.

Next day I drove back up to Coromandel Town to go inland and east in a loop that took me up to Port Charles. Not a lot to see at Port Charles itself but the drive was dramatic.

 My favourite place in the whole of Coromandel was this viewpoint on the trip, on the way to Port Charles. The local Moehau Environment group have been working for many years to get rid of predators and enhance the environment for kiwi in the area, with the result that kiwi numbers are increasing.

After Port Charles I continued down the eastern coast for a while, passing farmland, ocean bays, and mangroves.