We thought we'd go on a hike with the Mama and the Brother, and picked the Dome Lookout. The walk started sensibly enough and we reached the lookout in no-time. We then decided to ignore the warning signs and press on to the Kauri Grove, a further hour or so up the track (for those in good footwear). The track soon became steep and slippery with mud (Bog World!) and on reaching an overhanging rock and trig point we decided to call it a day and have a muesli bar! We trundled back to the car park with a rather muddy Mama and promised her a cup of tea in Sheep World, just round the corner (this was really because Scott is obsessed with Sheep World!) We cleaned up in the cafe toilets at the bottom of the hill, and met a dog with a very special, useful power: he licked mud off clothes and shoes! Yuck!

Sheep World looked awesome, however, not quite awesome enough to actually go in and watch the eel feeding and sheep shows! So we amused ourselves in the Black Sheep Cafe and the shop and pootled off to the Parry Kauri Grove. We saw an 800 year old tree which was very big and impressive, hugged it, and then walked round a grove of smaller Kauris.

Following Bog, Sheep and Kauri World, we then found Honey World where a very informative man told us all about honey bees as we watched through the glass-fronted hives. We also bought some manuka honey as it's supposed to be terribly good for you.

We went out to explore the bright lights of Leigh (population 400), and happened upon the incredible Saw Mill Cafe. This funky place served awesome food, including split-flavoured pizzas (different flavour each half), local wine (we sampled the superb Brick Bay) and many wooden and metal artifacts from the saw mill days (Scott was happy with all the big tools)!

We walked home with Petzls on our heads and saw four cars. That night also the inauguration of "floral-head" (shit-head for when parents are around). The loser getting to wear Mum's garland, presented to her on arrival at Auckland airport by her new son-in-law.