AOTNZ tour Tauranga & Kauaeranga

Mills Reef fabulous. Treated like royalty by Jan & her team and there were

oysters once again. Derek had done a superb job in generating a crowd and we

also caught up with Graham Clark from Brilleaux. James drove us up to Thames

next morning and we managed to find Eric & Nancy Zwaan's house deep in the

Kauaeranga Valley, just past the old Hall. Eric built the house out of 'cob', a

mixture of mud, clay & straw I think - very cool. The Hall was filled with about

70 locals, all getting stuck into the mulled wine. Home by about 10.00 for an

early night....lovely not being in a concrete block motel. Nancy made us a

spectacular breakfast of omelettes & home-grown sausages and we lit out for

Coromandel.

Stopped just outside town at a roadside seafood place - had pots of mussel

chowder & T bought some oysters. Just arrived at the fabulous Jacaranda Lodge

and off to set up shortly. Sold out at about 70 tonight apparently.

Andrew