https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/ Jan 11 New Zealand I love these birds, their song is absolutely gorgeous! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697455 112697455 A lovely view of the bush between two Ponga Trees https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697456 112697456 Very similar to our own cormorant apart from their striking colouring. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697457 112697457 Another of New Zealand's native birds. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697458 112697458 The emblem of New Zealand! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697459 112697459 It took me a while to get a shot of this bird! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697460 112697460 This bird has the most incredible song. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697462 112697462 A very cute little bird https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697461 112697461 Greg the 17 year old Takahe - a very rare bird indeed. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697463 112697463 He's quite at home amongst the picknickers. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697464 112697464 He's a bit scruffy now and his beak looks as if it needs a coat of red paint! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697465 112697465 Another gorgeous native bird. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697466 112697466 This is Lindsey's favourite New Zealand bird. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697467 112697467 I took a lot of pix because he came so close! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697468 112697468 And another one! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697469 112697469 Clive and Radar communing with the herd of bullocks in the field next to Lindsey's! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697470 112697470 Near the end of the Tarwhanui bush walk. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697471 112697471 We saw quite a few of these at Tarwhanui https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697472 112697472 See how close this little bird was to Lindsey's shoe! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697473 112697473 Quite different to our native Robin Red Breast isn't it! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697474 112697474 Not native birds to New Zealand but quite common here. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697475 112697475 A view of the beach where we went swimming after our walk. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697476 112697476 A lovely shot of the bush - it is so peaceful here. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697477 112697477 The kitchen block and the campfire area. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697478 112697478 This was our view from the campervan at Goat Island Campsite! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697479 112697479 Our view from the campervan at Ruakaka Campsite. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=112697480 112697480 On the ferry on the way over to Russell. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264188 113264188 The couple on the bench spend six months in the UK on their trad. narrowboat Duke! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264189 113264189 There is even a huge cruise liner in the bay! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264190 113264190 We were delighted when this beautiful ship sailed in to the bay - its a tourist boat of course. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264192 113264192 This plant was growing in a garden that we passed on the way back to the campsite. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264193 113264193 Another great campsite with excellent facilities. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264191 113264191 No view unfortunately but good facilities. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264908 113264908 This beautiful cat took a shine to us - I would have loved to adopt it! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264907 113264907 This is Cable Beach where we stopped for a coffee break! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264909 113264909 Read the plaque which refers to the next photo. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264911 113264911 This ancient Pohutakawa still clings to life despite the pounding sea and driving winds! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264910 113264910 We spotted this on our walk down to the lighthouse. It was quite big!! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264912 113264912 The Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet at Cape Reinga. Note the swirling sand caught in the currents. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113264913 113264913 The views on the way were spectacular. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113266816 113266816 It was quite a walk down to the lighthouse but well worth the effort. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113266817 113266817 Looking down the East Coast from Cape Reinga https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113266818 113266818 This incredible beach was completely and utterly empty! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113266821 113266821 Cape Reinga is a very spiritual place for the Maori people. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113266820 113266820 Where the two seas meet the currents form whirlpools. It looks like the Koru - symbol of new life to the Maori. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113266819 113266819 We only had to walk about a 100 yards to the waters edge! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113267496 113267496 The water was so inviting, we just had to go for a swim. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113268179 113268179 This is really an estuary, the sea is between the cliffs at the end. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113268180 113268180 Its normally pedestrians who get in the way of photograph, not birds!! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113268181 113268181 It just started raining as we boarded the ferry at Kohukohu! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929530 113929530 Just one of the lovely old buildings in Rawene. Note the little sign near the doorway on the right. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929634 113929634 This sign really amused Clive! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929635 113929635 We called at the hotel in Omapere and this was sitting on the lawn! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929531 113929531 I love this place, somehow it reminds me of where we used to live in Scotland. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929533 113929533 The Lord of the Forest - can you see Clive at the bottom? https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929532 113929532 We spotted these charming little birds just before we headed into the Kauri forest. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929636 113929636 A Ford Econovan just like ours but a wee bit older - 1989 in fact! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929637 113929637 Note the incredible height yet very small crown! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929638 113929638 I love these amazing natural sculptures! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929639 113929639 The new frond which is just starting to uncurl is known to the Maori as a Koru. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929640 113929640 To the Maori this symbolises new life. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929644 113929644 Clive walking along the path of this incredible forest. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929641 113929641 Just some of the amazing flora to be found in the Kauri forests. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929642 113929642 The wonderful New Zealand tree ferns. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929648 113929648 Just a wonderful, magical place to be. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929649 113929649 This huge tree just looks like a white stone cliff as you come around the corner! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929651 113929651 I hug big trees too! This Kauri is only medium sized compared to some! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929652 113929652 We were camped right at the waters edge. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929650 113929650 Our campervan looks very small next to this enormous Phoenix Luxury motorhome! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929645 113929645 We got a shot of the full moon at the campsite in Tinopai. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929643 113929643 It looked so pretty with the moon lighting a path across the waves. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929646 113929646 Clive caught these lovely birds just as they took flight. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113929647 113929647 Fantastic pitch, right next to the beach. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930631 113930631 These fantastic campervans are incredible. A normal car just magically converts into a bedroom with a kitchen and storage. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930628 113930628 Lauren showed us the cupboard and fridge cleverly stowed under the rear seats which convert to a double bed! Everything but the kitchen sink! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930629 113930629 Not only next to the beach but set in natural bush, wonderful place. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930630 113930630 Almost in the back of the van!! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930632 113930632 Another beautiful moonlit night. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930633 113930633 Not very inspiring! Hot pools were tepid and dirty and the free WiFi non-existent! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930734 113930734 The town of Matamata where the tours to Hobbiton go from. As we signed a confidentiality agreement we can't show you anything more! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930736 113930736 A view of Alexander's farmland from the coach window, as you can see, very Shirelike! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930735 113930735 We were treated to a demonstration of how to shear a sheep at the Alexander farm's Wool Shed! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=113930737 113930737 The sunset over Opunake taken whilst we were hunting volcanoes! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863229 115863229 The surf was fantastic but we had to make sure we stayed between the flags! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863230 115863230 Finally revealed in all its glory, just lacking a snowcap to make it perfect! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863231 115863231 I zoomed in to see right to the top of the volcano! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863232 115863232 This lovely little campsite was almost on the beach! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863434 115863434 People come from all over to ride the surf at New Plymouth https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863233 115863233 There are many different types of Cicada in New Zeland, this one actually makes a clapping sound! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863435 115863435 This island was in the estuary where we stopped for coffee. You can easily see the layers of dust from different volcanic eruptions! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863443 115863443 Pukekawa Park in New Plymouth, a really magical place. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863437 115863437 This piece of sculpture was made from a shipping container! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863436 115863436 You can see how big it is, can you spot Clive behind on the left? https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863441 115863441 The huge New Zealand pigeon - I spotted him up the tree! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863438 115863438 There were various sculptures dotted about the park. I liked this one. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863440 115863440 We had yet another fantastic pitch looking out over the sea. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863439 115863439 Part of the festival of lights show. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863445 115863445 This beautiful little island was in the middle of the lake. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863444 115863444 Just some of the wonderful plants growing in the fernhouse https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863446 115863446 This wonderful piece of sculpture in the fernhouse is all overgrown https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863442 115863442 I have no idea what I was laughing at! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863447 115863447 Can you spot the shark! lol https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115863448 115863448 This bird took a fancy to Clive and started displaying to him! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864295 115864295 Its soooooooo green! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864298 115864298 These bird have and amazingly strong beak and enjoy pulling the rubber seals off car windscreens! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864299 115864299 Here he is using it very gently to preen his feathers. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864300 115864300 Another one of New Zealand's amazing parrots. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864301 115864301 They are quite incredible birds. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864302 115864302 The most famous of all New Zealand's birds and absolutely adorable! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864303 115864303 So far we have not managed to spot one of these in the wild! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864305 115864305 He finally sat still long enough for me to take this photo! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864306 115864306 A bigger bird than our own Kingfisher and not quite as brightly coloured. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864307 115864307 Found only in New Zealand this lizard has no ears but remarkably three eyes! The third one is hidden by scales. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864308 115864308 Very similar to our Oystercatchers but totally black - very handsome bird. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864309 115864309 Yet another of New Zealand's flightless birds! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864310 115864310 He's almost as colourful as his dinner! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864311 115864311 Such a beautiful colour. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864312 115864312 These birds make incredible journeys. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864313 115864313 The most beautiful waterful and in the most spectacular of settings. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864296 115864296 This was half way down the 277 steps! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864304 115864304 Taken from the lowest viewpoint - at the bottom of 277 steps! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115864297 115864297 There were loads of young people leaping of the bridge into the water at Raglan! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115865195 115865195 It was interesting chatting to these guys and hearing about their previous catches. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115865199 115865199 This one wasn't so big, only six flounders! https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115865197 115865197 This is where we bought Philly's birthday present. https://www.morrisfolk.com/apps/photos/photo?photoID=115865198 115865198