Camping……….part one

We tried our first camp trip this last weekend. We were extremely lucky to be able to borrow a heap of gear from friends the Goldsworthys. They lent us tents and solar showers and a lantern and pots and an air bed and stretchers and water containers and get the idea – oh yes and not least a trailer to carry it all in!

No cozy campground with a tv lounge for us – no – Rob had us traipsing off to the Coromandel Forest Park – Kauaeranga Valley. We stayed in the Whangaiterenga Campsite. It was recommended as the best with kids because of the easy walks and the swimming hole – the flush toilets had me sold!

The road in was interesting – after a few k’s on gravel, we came across the following sign:

Uh huh – the pot holes were not large – just endless! Rob asked the lady at information centre if the road got any better – and she just laughed!!!! The sills on my car had a teeny layer of dust:

And the bridges looked like this:

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We were expecting the camp site to be fairly empty – but it was chocka – however we ended up in about the best spot in the site.  It was sheltered and shady, and we had neighbours who were experienced campers, and lent us stuff!  They had a trailer that Rob nicknamed “The Tardis” as it seemed bottomless!