Just another day in Whangerei!

The kids and I , with Nancy and girls from Meridian and Chris from Candine all went for a hike along the Hatea River to the Kauri Canopy boardwalk. nice walk through the forest and along the river, but we were a little disappointed as we only saw a handful of Kauri trees. in fact we really only saw 3 - I am sure there were more but so spread out ...... not the Kauri forest I was expecting. still a pretty walk, and boy my butt felt it!
tghis is
this Kauri tree is about 500 yrs old. one of the 3 we saw here. and the oldest one here
our happy hiking kids!! they did well, its a 2hr round trip.
this little fella is one of the cycada's - he landed on Emma shoulder. they are very loud and you here them all day when its hot out!! amazingly loud!

so here's a story.............
we went for dinner at this couple's home - Wesly and Jacquie- we met them because they happened to see our boatdown in the Town Basin Marina in Whangerei NZ and recognized it ! Wesly asked if it was built in Cowichan Bay by a fellow named Gordon Rutherford........... not everyday someone happens to know the fellow who built our boat especially in New Zealand!! turns out they are buddies. and how cool is that!! great people and we had a wonderful dinner. We will be getting together again before we leave!!