We have over a week staying with some family based in north Auckland who are kind enough to let us use their spare bed

However, they are also kind enough to keep us well fed too with various meals including Thai yellow curry, homemade shepherd’s pie and even a full roast dinner (that they prepare for 10 people!)

Here’s just a few shots at the meals they’ve sorted for us:

In addition to this, the time we’re here we’re able to have some proper time off to do not too much and recover from being on the move all the time

This includes walking through Witheford Reserve, Manuka Reserve and Lynn Reserve that are all very local in the area – they’re prime spots for getting a view of a kererū (a large and colourful relation to the typical pigeon)

We get a few sightings but none where a photo was possible – Dave is even almost taken out by a couple swooping from tree to tree ????

After over a week, we end up finding some orchard work in Whangārei so pick up some gum boots (welly boots) and organise a coach to take us there