Not had internet for a while but we have done loads in the last week.
The bus trip to Cape Reinga was fantastic and then we cycled to a Matai Bay (stunnng beach)
and camped. Then we headed to Kahoe and stayed at the most amazing hostel (very posh) with fantastic hosts; the husband was italian and we had a great meal there, with huge portions (perfect for cyclists). Then we headed to Whangaroa Harbour 
and around a very very hilly road (worst hlls yet) to Matauri Bay and stayted at another hostel (not quite as nice as the Kahoe one). Then we got to the Bay of Islands and stayed for 3 nights in our own little flat at Paihia. We went on a 4 hour boat trip and saw 3 adult dolphins, amazing beaches and wonderful rock formations including a massive hole under an island that boats go through. 
As we didn't see loads of wildlife they gave us a free return ticket so we did the trip again the next day (much choppier) and only saw seals (very cute) 
so we have another free ticket! We left rested and ready to go and got the ferry over to Russell and had a fab days cycling, it was quite hilly but we must have seen about 10 gorgeous bays, to Oakura, where we camped next to the beach and the most gorgeous view. We then decided to try a gravel road, which was fine at first but the gravel got deeper and I fell off! Luckily I was Ok but helmet now has a small crack. Eventually arrived at a tarmac road (hurray) but because it had taken us so long we had to change our plans for getting to Tutukaka and head instead to Whananaki. We stayed in a cabin and walked along the longest wooden footbridge in the southern hemisphere! The next day we pushed our bikes over this bridge.
and onto another gravel road, which thankfully was OK and we had another great ride with gorgeous views and beaches via Tutukaka to Whangarei. We're having 2 nights at a hostel to take stock and plan the next part of the journey. We've had days and days of sun with some heavy rain showers. We've been bitten by sand flies and god knows what else! We've seen loads of kingfishers and other exotic birds. 
The scenery is as good as expected and everyone keeps telling us it gets better. Tomorrow we head off towards Goat Island and then go back to Auckland before getting to Coromandel.
The bus trip to Cape Reinga was fantastic and then we cycled to a Matai Bay (stunnng beach)
and camped. Then we headed to Kahoe and stayed at the most amazing hostel (very posh) with fantastic hosts; the husband was italian and we had a great meal there, with huge portions (perfect for cyclists). Then we headed to Whangaroa Harbour and around a very very hilly road (worst hlls yet) to Matauri Bay and stayted at another hostel (not quite as nice as the Kahoe one). Then we got to the Bay of Islands and stayed for 3 nights in our own little flat at Paihia. We went on a 4 hour boat trip and saw 3 adult dolphins, amazing beaches and wonderful rock formations including a massive hole under an island that boats go through. As we didn't see loads of wildlife they gave us a free return ticket so we did the trip again the next day (much choppier) and only saw seals (very cute) so we have another free ticket! We left rested and ready to go and got the ferry over to Russell and had a fab days cycling, it was quite hilly but we must have seen about 10 gorgeous bays, to Oakura, where we camped next to the beach and the most gorgeous view. We then decided to try a gravel road, which was fine at first but the gravel got deeper and I fell off! Luckily I was Ok but helmet now has a small crack. Eventually arrived at a tarmac road (hurray) but because it had taken us so long we had to change our plans for getting to Tutukaka and head instead to Whananaki. We stayed in a cabin and walked along the longest wooden footbridge in the southern hemisphere! The next day we pushed our bikes over this bridge.and onto another gravel road, which thankfully was OK and we had another great ride with gorgeous views and beaches via Tutukaka to Whangarei. We're having 2 nights at a hostel to take stock and plan the next part of the journey. We've had days and days of sun with some heavy rain showers. We've been bitten by sand flies and god knows what else! We've seen loads of kingfishers and other exotic birds. The scenery is as good as expected and everyone keeps telling us it gets better. Tomorrow we head off towards Goat Island and then go back to Auckland before getting to Coromandel.
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