Our first stop is a small town Te Aroha. It is dominated by the brooding mountain that carries it’s name. Can you love a mountain? We’re here where we – in grand old Victorian style – take the waters! This area has natural hot springs and there is a spa housed in a glorious Victorian building. We book in for a session in Bath House No. 2. It’s 30 minutes of relaxing in 38 degree straight out of the ground mineral spring water. Pure heaven! After the spa, we had a bottle of Lemon & Te Aroha with our lunch. A drink made with lemon and the local mineral spring water. In my humble opinion, it was nicer than it’s more famous cousin.

Our next stop was in Morrinsville. Famous for it’s dairy industry – COWS! On driving in to the town, your are greeted by Mable, a 6.5m high Friesian cow. After parking the van, we wander up and down the main street, spotting some of the 60 life size cows which have been painted by local artists. I think my favourite was the one outside the police station – this is Don’s favourite too!

As the heavens open, we decide to park up for the night in Matamata – childhood home to one of Don’s friends. The information centre here is housed in what can only be described as a hobbit type house – no it’s not tiny but very curvy and wooden. All of the Lord of the Rings films were filmed here and this place is home to Hobbiton. For me, it’s the clock in the middle of the roundabout that has me snapping away with my camera!