Today we drove to Cape Reinga and Martha and Roly had provided some suggestions of places to stop on route. So with our packed lunch and clothing for all weathers we set off. The forecast for today was rain but it was really nice when we set off so we were quietly optimistic, our first stop was 90 mile beach, which is actually only about 40 miles long, you can drive down it but we didn’t as hire companies won’t insure you if you do, each year a number of people either get stuck or their cars get washed out to sea! We walked along the beach for a little bit, then got back in the car to continue heading north. Our next stop was Henderson Bay, which is a long expanse of beach that is popular with surfers although I am not sure how they actually reach it especially carrying surf boards, we did actually make it down although it took a couple of goes, and was well worth it especially because we found an easier route out which was good as there was rain in the air as we were walking back up. As the rain started we drove round to Rarawa Beach which apparently is the best beach for surfing on the east coast, and despite the rain one hardy woman was heading off out to the surf, we however decided not to get out of he car as it was raining quite hard at this stage, so after watching her fight against the waves for a while we set off for our lunch stop at Tapotupotu Bay which is not far from the Cape but as you are not allowed to picnic at the Cape it is the best place to stop. Luckily while we were eating lunch the rain stopped so after a walk along the beach we set off for the Cape. This is where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman sea meet, from the top of the hill overlooking the lighthouse you can actually see where they meet as waves are going in Both directions, I hadn’t realised that the tides are different and you could have high tide one side and low tide the other. After sitting watching the waves (and getting a little hypnotised) we started the journey back. We called in at the sand dunes on the way back, they are massive and you can hire boards so you can surf down them, but unfortunately it had started raining again and to be honest walking up sand dunes is hard work so we watched a couple of people walk up then we set off again. We drove round to Rangiputa and Puheke which are two beaches near to where we are staying both beaches were very pretty and the sand is so fine and white it is quite stunning. By this time we were beginning to flag so we went to get something to eat then went back to the room.
