Update from Middle Earth

Sorry, we've been pretty busy these last few days.  Doesn't hurt that since Saturday, we've had drinks and canapes prior to dinner and  lazy evenings afterwards. Does not leave time to process photos. The bad news (for us at least, is that this means we only have a few more days on vacation.)

We arrived at Cape Kidnappers, in Hawkes Bay, on Sat afternoon.  I went for a short run, only to get get lost on the 6000 hetacre farm. Found my way back, just after dark.  Played golf on Sun, then went for a wonderful wine tasting tour.  On Monday, I got up and ran for a bit, we played golf, and then took some mtn bikes out to the Gannet colony.

On Tues, we departed for Kauri Cliffs in KeriKeri (Bay of Islands).  We arrived in time to play some golf (big shocker), finishing number 18 in the dark.  Played again on Wed  morning and departed for Tara Iti.  Pictures from all the above will be processed later and posted, but here are a few teasers...

Tara Iti is gem...Tom Doak links course along the pacific.  Wow... we awoke to a howling wind and waves of rain. Very much like you would find in Scotland.  Our caddie, Stevie Mac, was from the old country....

 hard to see, but the sand dune in the distance is the largest in the southern hemisphere...

our room...I am writing this from the chairs next to the fireplace as we speak (which just had a log fall out...)

afterwards, we headed out for some bird watching.

Kingfisher

Oyster catcher

I promise, there are more photos from Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs.  More to come later