Robyn’s favourite

A great day off always starts with brunch at El Cafe (night owls like me definitely miss breakfast on a day off!).

Then it’s off for a drive in Barry’s cabriolet with the roof down.

First stop in Paihia township to grab some fresh sushi for the picnic basket and drive up by the Waitangi Golf Club to look over the entire expanse of the Bay of Islands and see the action happening out there. Always makes my heart soar to look over such beauty and know it’s the best place in the world to live.

Then the coastal road with a stop to admire the Cavalli islands and a great selection of bays to swim and picnic. Matauri Bay is always great. But there’s lots of choices. Some of them well kept secrets.

After a good read, relax, catch some sun, a couple of swims and a long meander or two along the beach, it’s great to continue on the beautiful drive to a small township for a glass of wine and some fish and chips. Yes everyone thinks Maunganui but the yacht club in Whangaroa is well worth a visit and a great view over the Harbour.

Then in twilight, with the roof still down, it’s a quiet drive home to Opua for a night cap looking out across our bush to the twinkling lights of Russell.

Now that’s what I call a great day off, but the choices are endless…..next time I’ll do a bushwalk and a winery lunch.