Clarks Beach, Waiuku, Hamilton's Gap, Pukekohe Showgrounds

After a week in Auckland helping out a bit with house renovations we headed south west  to Clark's Beach, particularly the golf course which we had heard good things about. We were not disappointed - it's a fabulous picturesque, well-cared for course with interesting features on every fairway including pools, water views over the Manukau Harbour on all sides, a fountain plus plenty of bunkers. It was a beautiful sunny day and we really enjoyed playing on it. 

One of the prettiest (golf courses)!

They even 'turned a blind eye' to us staying in the carpark for the night which we appreciated.

Pensive model pose!

After our round of golf we did a big loop walk around the harbour to the motorcamp and through the residential streets to the tiny village with it's restaurant, takeaways, liquor store and dairy where we treated ourselves to an icecream it being a little early for the temptation of fish and chips.

The next morning we decided to play golf again, this time at the Waiuku Course where a very friendly lady greeted us and gave us a good deal to play seeing the greens had just been cored.  

A bold shot from "peanut"!

We had been spoilt by the great condition of the course at Clark's Beach but still enjoyed playing here on the treelined fairways which we found had quite a good run though of course the greens were slow. It was a little frustrating to be behind a couple of slow lads whose balls were flying everywhere giving us long long waits. They finally let us past on the 8th hole.

From Waiuku we drove out to Hamilton's Gap on the coast, a free parking area that, according to comments on our NZMCA app always seemed to be a very quiet spot with just one or 2 vans, right by the beach. Well, we did get a surprise to find a whole village camping there, with both vehicles and tents, when we arrived about 5.00pm on Good Friday! 

View towards Hamilton's Gap.

We only just managed to squeeze into a space near the very rutted entry. The night was quiet though with just the faint sound of the sea.

I hope you're not reading fish recipes!

The following morning we took the fishing rod through the 'camp' and the liitle stream to the beach, with it's very black west coast sand,  to join a couple of other fishermen. No luck for any of us though so after a couple of hours it was time to have lunch and drive back to Waiuku as we needed to dump our waste even though it would have been nice to stay another night alongside all the families enjoying the long Easter weekend.

We spent the night at the Pukekohe Showgrounds with a couple of other motorhomers - a nice peaceful spot despite the odd train rumbling close by through the night! 

Note the flying car (centre picture).

As we were driving out in the morning we stopped for a liitle while, just along the road, to watch the model racing car enthusiasts competing on their amazingly well set up circuit, complete with a grandstand, wicked corners and challenging jumps! I think Len really wanted to join in!