Camping Resumed

Officially Spring is round the corner, but despite the flowers blooming and the lambs running around the park, there is still time to get some winter camping in (remember wet rather than cold here in sub tropical Auckland).  The van all sorted and on the road. We head north, well we set off a bit later than planned, after skype call, shopping, packing oh and lets just pick up a little BBQ (mainly the fault of my new VW camper can cookbook).  So we hit the fantastic market at Matakana (Em, you would love this place) a little late, but still time to get veggies for the risotto, no scallops however, but some great bread and cheese will do fine, thank you very much.
We drive on past Leigh, up and down the hills and tight corners that our van loves so much (!) and straight for the beach side campsite at Pakari. Now the AA is right, the scary gates put you off a bit, add in the rules plastered around and the you can't come in after 9pm business, you do wonder what you're letting yourself in for. However, it's a fantastic location and the joy of camping in the winter, no one else is here - a handful of people and that's it, this means we get a great spot and settle in for a couple of nights. As for the 'in before 9pm' bit, where are we going to go. In the summer there is the wonderful Goat Island for some snorkeling or we could go horse riding up in the village, but right now here is where we are going to stay.

Staff were friendly, the little shop looked useful (though didn't have the one thing I'd forgotten - heh ho) and the facilities all fine. As with all the motor home places we've been too, wouldn't really fancy it when it gets crowded in the summer, but the ability to plug in our little heater to make the van cosy and take the dampness out of the shoes and clothes is just perfect at this time of year. I actually thought it was all a bit sad really as the the campsite is full of caravans that clearly go nowhere, all with permanent looking awnings - one family was putting pot plants around their little patch! Another site we peeped into had a bookcase in the awning. Sad all those caravans with wheels, going nowhere. It appears the kiwis return to the same spot for weekends and summer hols  so I guess it makes sense. However, this is a stunning place to get stuck in.

The beach is wild, wide and that never ending kind of look to it. There was a good breeze around making the south pacific look just at it should. Our pitch eased onto the estuary and a quick walk along the side took you to the sand dunes and then onto the beach. A bit of wading through water was required and the tides made all the difference. It brings you to a special place, just watching the tides and the changes that it makes in your immediate surroundings. We didn't look at a watch all weekend, we got up when it was light, we ate when hungry, we walked on the beach when it wasn't raining, we took afternoon naps, we built sandcastles and drew pictures in the sand. We made burgers and cooked them on the new, rather wonderful little BBQ. The new camper van cookbook tells me this is a rule when you go camping, so who am I to disagree.

It was a restorative time, work has been busy, tragic and tiring for us both and we needed some gather it together time, which this trip gave us. Being a family kind of camping ground with all the trimmings we came across a games room and had one those great experiences of laughing till you cry and can't stop or control yourself times while (trying) playing table tennis. We love camping. We are happy campers. Love more, laugh more, camp more.