Amazingly, after 7 months in a dusty corner of the boat yard, our van hiccuped into life and we set off down the track for another little camping adventure before the christmas rush.

Muriwai Beach is 60 km of sparkling black sand, even blue in places. At one end is the Takapu Refuge Gannet Colony. In true NZ style, there are viewing platforms perfectly placed to see these fascinating birds up close. Every August the gannets return here to reunite with their partners and around December the chicks start to fledge,magic. . .