Whatuwhiwhi pronounced Fatufi fi

What a fabulous spot on the Karikari peninsula! However when we left 90 mile beach we intended to drive the rest of the way to the most northerly point of New Zealand, to Cape Reinga but like all best laid plans---------we hadn't long set off when we came to a sign to Gumdiggers Park, with a name like that we had to investigate! 3K along a dirt track finds us at a shed $20 later we are thro the shed and into the park.Basically it's all about gum which was a much sought after commodity about and before the turn of the century. As you all know gum comes from the gum tree forests and in this case was rolled over by a tsunami, yonks ago. Still keeping up? Blokes dug holes in the ground to find these trees which had lain buried for thousands of years in a peat bog. They then dug up the nuggets of gum,which was then exported to Birmingham ,where another bloke turned the gum into varnish for using on coffins,carriages, furniture etc.The other blokes ,the ones that dug the holes had to wear wellingtons because the holes kept filling up with water, so they called them gumboots. So there you are!! I bet Rod Ousbey didn't know that! If you want to know more Google it.
Because we spent so much time at the gumdiggers, we only managed to get three parts up to the pointy bit before having to turn round to get to our next destination before happy hour.Did some local shopping on the way back avocados 5 for $3 and an honesty box, a watermelon and sweet corn from a tractor and trailer and then meat from a run down looking general stores, where the butchery part seemed to be part of the shop, generaly we are used to butchers doing their big stuff in the back of the shop.
And so to Whtuwhiwhi (yes we did giggle until we were told how it is pronounced!) which turns out to be another beautiful spot, on Doubtless Bay very sheltered, sandy shelves quite shallowly and lots of boaties! Everybody seems to have brought their own boat. Once parked up wecouldn't wait to get to the beach and into the water. The weather is very hot and so after cooling off back to the biscuit tin for a beer and dinner. Because the forecast is good we decide to book in for another day as we just fancy a day on the beach.
The only slight hiccough is that we have to move site on the camp, but it's not a big deal. Wednesday dawned " turned out nice again" so get all creamed up, gather towels and all the usual paraphernalia and wander down to the beach. Manage to find a spot near a tree on the beach so there is a little shade. We are missing our dive gear as some of it would have been really handy today, but we couldn't have fitted it into this little van and so left it in Australia. So a hard day on the beach cooled off frequently and finished my book. Heading south tomorrow to Muriwia.

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