in the distance - mount taranaki (featured in the Last Samurai).

On Saturday, I drove down the west coast of the North Island to Taranaki - about 3.5 hours from Hamilton, to meet up with Mieke for the day. Had a great day weather-wise and spectacular drive to get there over winding hills, a stunning gorge & amazing coastline - very like Dorset with interesting coves and bays.

Mieke's grandparents used to own a farm in Taranaki in a town called Harewa - probably ten years since Mieke was last there & so it was great to spend some time where she has a lot of fun childhood memories.