Manu Bay on the west coast of the North Island has the best lefthand surf break in the world I am told ! I know from watching my daughter surf, that it is possible to crash-land on the rocks and really hurt yourself !!I have just spent 2 days at my favourite place on the west coast, the tiny village of Raglan, about a 40min drive from Hamilton, through rolling 
countryside, up the divvie ( the local name for the range of hills dividing the coast from the Waikato valley) and down into the hills and dales of the coastal area - I always feel elated and strengthened when coming here - never want to go home .. The township is situated along the harbour edge with the open sea and it`s crashing waves just a short drive away.
countryside, up the divvie ( the local name for the range of hills dividing the coast from the Waikato valley) and down into the hills and dales of the coastal area - I always feel elated and strengthened when coming here - never want to go home .. The township is situated along the harbour edge with the open sea and it`s crashing waves just a short drive away. Mt Karioi, or the Sleeping Lady as she is known, dominates the scenery for miles. There are many Maori mythes about this extinct volcano, she is very important to local
tribes.
tribes. Kanuka grows all along the coast - I love the way the trunks all bend in unison - the prevailing wind off the Tasman ocean can be very strong but these hardy trees keep bending, making an excellent cover for more fragile plants. The wood from Kanuka is very hard and makes great firewood or fence posts !
I came home alot more relaxed then I was, met some really interesting people, made acouple of `bee` connections and also have the beginnings of a local Herbal Society to ponder over ...
