Bay of Plenty - Katikati Reservoir & Waihi Beach

We woke up to a stunner of a day on Sunday. Fully fuelled with pancakes, the children trotted on down to the lake in an attempt to rebuild part of the pier which had been demolished in the strong stormy weather a few nights earlier.

An hour later, project bridge reconstruction was abandoned ... option to fix bridge vs get out and about on the water... hmmm tough choice, so they all headed back lugging out their canoe, stand up paddle board and inflatable orange boat.

One by one they all headed out for a little jaunt along the river, such a beautiful setting to have right on their doorstep.

After lunch we then headed back again for another walk at Waihi Beach. The track to the left of the beach took us round the headland to another long stretch of white sandy beach lined with Pohutukawa trees. This beach has no road access so we had it pretty much all to ourselves and the children had a whale of a time busying themselves dam and bridge building… clever little things when left to their own devices!

Have to say, not turning into a tree hugger or anything, but I'm totally taken with the Pohutukawa trees here in New Zealand, just beautiful.

Finally on return back to Waihi Beach we met up with Chris, who had spent the day out on his canoe, hunter gathering sort of stuff, who proceeded to proudly show of his hunter produce, well chuffed with himself.

And then one last glimpse of Waihi Beach as the sun was setting before we said our fair wells and homeward bound back to Auckland. Stunning little break, fantastic friends. Thank you so so much for such a wonderful time. Until next time Nx