31.01.2020 Catching up on last blog which was rudely interrupted....

Hi there, I'm back in another beautiful location the internet may or may not go down again.. Being off the beaten track does have it's downsides.

Heading for my first hike today at Mount Maunganui another Maori historic reserve with lots of romantic legends surrounding it's beginnings as the nameless mountain! The road took me through what is obviously a fruit growing area with avocados, watermelons, peaches and tangelos (never heard of them!!??) being offered for sale at the roadside at incredibly cheap prices. 3 x avos at the equivalent of £1 - living the dream here. Maunganui is a strange place to get to it's like a conical peninsular outside of Tuaranga and the road goes through the docks with containers and cranes all along the way. Have to say I probably wouldn't have got any further if John was with me. We would have spent the day at the dockside watching every one else working and him putting his five pennorth in when he didn't think they were doing it right!!! Snapped a container ship from the summit - just for you Johnno!

Once through the dockside the road brings you into the vibrant beach side of Maunganui beach. Definitely a surfer vibe going on here with food trucks, selling all kinds of healthy suff and organic cafes along the way. Being virtuos I had Super Smoothie with Acai to hellp me on my way. The mount is not very high 238m but it's a steep climb from the boardwalk in 27c heat - so water - check, sunscreen - check and sunhat - check and off I go. Totally unfit but I made it to the top where the views were spectactular. I just took my time - like the tortoise and was not put off by the beach body ready girls running up and down steps and passing me several time on the track - oh to be young. Note to self - must do more walking!!..

Another great day...