We were very fortunate that Jeremy's former colleague from the NHS had moved to this part of the world and taken a real "life change" and that they were able to accomodate us!  To give-up a very senior job and move to the other side of the world would frighten most people, but it was fantastic to see how well it had worked for them and how well they had taken to a totally different way of life.  Tracey and her husband Chris have lived here for nearly a year in the most fabulous house in about 25 acres of garden and bush with two other smaller places that can accomodate people.  The tiny village of Kohukohu, a couple of KM away has a little general store, cafe and a few arty shops (that unfortunately were closed when we went to see them!) and a very small population! 

We were staying in Bush Cottage, which is a simply beautiful cottage right on the edge of the bush.  It has recently been completely renovated and we were very lucky to be able to have used such a fantastic base to explore the Northland and to be looked after so generously by Chris and Tracey - we had a BBQ on their verandah on our arrival and the views went pretty much as far as you could see and there were no houses or roads that could be seen - just one light!   As the evening closed-in, the array of bird calls was far removed from the traffic noises other travellers that we can expect to hear 99% of other nights on our adventures!

The next day we drove up to Cape Reinga  - the very northern tip of NZ and the point where the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific Ocean meet with spectacular results - it causes huge waves to crash against each other a few hundred metres out to sea and it can be seen for a  kilometres out towards the horizon.

We had another BBQ the next night as Tracey and Chris invited some of their new friends, neighbours that lived a fair walk away - typically friendly Kiwi's and we were able to sample some of Chris's home-made wine which was really good. 

Thanks again to Tracey and Chris.