One of the things I love about tripping around with no timetable is there is time to take the side roads, the back roads, or just the roads I haven't travelled for a while. I know I've been to Pataua North quite recently but couldn't remember when I last went to Pataua South and I knew I'd never taken GB there so decided to make that our first port of call after I collected him at the airport on Tuesday.
Pataua South is just a short drive from Whangarei, is practically a suburb. But miles away from the big town way of life. I like its quiet, peaceful estuary lined with pohutukawa trees. It's connected to Pataua North and its wild ocean beach by a wooden footbridge.
A side road lead us to discover Treasure Island holiday camping ground that I didn't know existed. It looked a pleasant spot and I ventured past one set of Keep Out signs only to be stopped in my tracks by this sign.
Of course, I had to take a photo so could hardly declare I hadn't noticed it should I have been apprehended by Camp Mother.
We had another unexpected moment a couple of days later when I missed the road to take us up to the Flagstaff at Russell and we ventured down to the beach on the other side of the hill. We got out of the car to have a look around (as you do), I took a photo looking out over the bay. Not of anything in particular, it was just a pleasant sight.
A side road lead us to discover Treasure Island holiday camping ground that I didn't know existed. It looked a pleasant spot and I ventured past one set of Keep Out signs only to be stopped in my tracks by this sign.
Of course, I had to take a photo so could hardly declare I hadn't noticed it should I have been apprehended by Camp Mother.
We had another unexpected moment a couple of days later when I missed the road to take us up to the Flagstaff at Russell and we ventured down to the beach on the other side of the hill. We got out of the car to have a look around (as you do), I took a photo looking out over the bay. Not of anything in particular, it was just a pleasant sight.
I got a start when I turned around and saw GB heading for a gap in the rocks - and what was on the other side!
What an interesting place. I'm glad that "camp mother" didn't find you taking pictures of her sign. That's a funny sign... love it.
ReplyDeleteThat last photo is wonderful.
Hello Pauline,
ReplyDeleteYour last couple of posts have brought back lots of memories. That sign just made me smile so much.
Happy days.
Bev.
Such lovely and interesting sites. Wish I was there with you as they call to be explored.
ReplyDeletePauline what have you done to your template? I can hardly see it. Shorts and shirt I spotted him in. I'm still in thermal underwear.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying all the tripping about Pauline - gorgeous photos in this post, the previous and the latest!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place!!! Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that with a sign like that Camp Mother would have been quite a fun person to meet (so long as you weren't trying to gain illicit access to her campground. Suddenly coming across that huge cruise ship in such a quiet location was a real surprise.
ReplyDelete