Sometimes I
just want to get out of Auckland. That’s not saying I don’t love the city I
live in; it’s more that ‘getting out’ of the city from time to time does
wonders for one’s head. Yesterday I left the madness behind and headed towards the
North East coast, just an hour form Central Auckland. From the moment I hit the
toll-road and tunnel near Puhoi, I had achieved the first part of my ‘mental
health escape plan.’
I met my
friend Nicky at Warkworth, a trendy little town about 10 minutes north of the
motorway junction. We stopped for our first coffee at the famous pottery at
Matakana, a quaint little village, well loved by fellow ‘escapees’ for its farmers
market. ‘Morris and James’ have been going since 1977 and uses local clays to manufacture
high quality tiles, pots and many other colourful products. They are expensive,
but the quality is supreme and the fact that they have survived in the new age
of cheap Chinese imports says something about their product. The café is rustic
and restful. Nicky and I shared a huge ‘melting- moment’ and we didn’t finish
it. The coffee was OK.
Next we travelled
through the vine-filled countryside. It has a distinct ‘Mediterranean’ feel;
with neat rows of grape vines and expensive looking wineries. I know that the
wine is good, but it is not cheap compared to other areas of New Zealand.
However, the shear ambiance of the district probably sucks people into to
paying the price. I stopped counting at well over ten as the wineries slipped into
the background. It is obviously an up and coming area.
Onwards to Leigh,
a delightful little village, that has a tiny ‘port’ for fishing and other vessels.
We passed a cafe that we decided to have lunch in once we had been to the marine
reserve at Goats Island. It was a Monday and people were obviously still ion
holiday, judging by the almost full car park. The area is famed for the tame
fish and huge shellfish and crustaceans. They seem to ‘know’ they are safe from
the predations of a hungry public. We didn’t stop, but put a day long trip on
our bucket list.
Back to the café
at Leigh, just outside the northern entrance to the village. It has a lovely
outside shaded area and the food was a good as the service. Once again, we
decided to return, possibly to stay a night on the accommodation wing and
sample the ‘entertainment’ featured on the noticeboard. You can’t miss this café---look
at the picture!
After our lunch
where we had talked at length about my upcoming surgery, and how I would cope
in the future, we headed towards the lovely beach at Matheson’s Bay. The picture
tells all. This is just so typical of the countless beaches; all well with an
hour and a half’s driving from Auckland. There is never reason to think that you
have to share a beach with thousands of others if you live anywhere in New
Zealand. Day trips just give you a ‘lick’ of the main prize. North east of
Auckland deserves a much longer stay.
We included
a look at Omaha Beach before we headed back to Warkworth--- the beach of the
rich and famous. It is an incredible stretch of beach. Forget the huge ‘beach
houses’ and head for the white sands. No wonder the dolphins love to frolic
there! You wouldn’t want to leave once you arrived. Luckily, Warkworth is not
too far, for you shopping needs. If you know someone there (Omaha), smile at
them hope they invite you to stay. Even our Prime Minister escapes there from
time to time, not that I am saying that that is a ‘quality-approving-system.’
It’s just one of many fantastic NZ beaches.
WE ARE SO
LUCKY IN NEW ZEALAND.
