Raglan

28.01.2009 Raglan.Not many touristy things round here excapt a waterfall in the Pirongia Forrest, The Bridal Veil about 25K away.At the car park it says a 10 minute walk, looks nice and gentle and subtropical. We arrive at a viewing platform which is on top of the waterfall, giving spectacular views downn to yhe pool and down the valley.To get to the pool at the bottom it says" 10mins" a drop of 55M. It may be 10mins down but they didn't mention the up! From the bottom again spectacular views, then it's up,navigator reckoned 207 steps not including the slopy bits, Gets her puffing and definitely takes longer than 10 mins! Wedrive back to Raglan for a coffee and then on to another world famous surf beach, except this one is very rocky. We just sit and watch as the young experts and not so expert go about their sport.It's a bit of a mystery to us, a few minutes clambering overrocks carrying a board, 10 mins paddling out to sea,where they wait 10 mins for "the big one" When it comes,up they get, only to fall off and start all over again. Actually some of them were very good and one showoff came in doing a headstand! Then on to a sandy beach for a bit of surf and sun.