Rangitoto Day! The Maoris roll their Rs I’m told but I’ll do the best I can. Body clock really confused this morning it felt 5am New Zealand time was the time to get up. I shouldn’t have had such a good doze yesterday afternoon.

Managed to walk unaided to the ferry terminal in plenty of time, I dawdled around nearby and missed most of the talk about not bringing pests onto the protected island. Possums and other unwanted intruders have been eradicated from Rangitoto allowing the forest to recover and native birds to be released there. A smooth crossing during which I found I had brought my power pack but not the lead to recharge the phone. Duh! There was plenty of power in the phone but I like worrying about things.

On arrival I straightaway headed for the summit. Not being the fittest person on the planet I had to stop at times to let my breathing and heart settle back down. The scoria from the eruption which gave birth to Rangitoto is more noticeable lower down the walk, but nature is conquering the barrenness. The surface in places was tricky to walk on. I was among the first to the top, and admired the view over Auckland from the summit, and had some refreshments. Some refreshments because I had left the sandwiches purchased yesterday in Vicky and Bruce’s fridge! A protein bar and a large pack of Doritos kept me going.

Did the crater rim walk but because of how the vegetation has grown up not that impressive. The crater itself seems more of a forest, not bare volcanic rock. Walked back down to a sign to the lava tube - reached what might have been it but not a cave one could go into. I met a girl similarly baffled, she gave up but I pressed on and found the real lava tube. I didn’t tell her afterwards, should I have done? I managed to stumble and slightly graze a hand on the treacherous rocks at the entrance, but not badly enough to stop me entering the lava tube. I had a head torch to help penetrate the darkness, a guy who walked through with me just had his phone light. Thanks to his perseverance I went all the way through even where one had to stoop to conquer.

Got back down taking pictures this time. Took turnings to the Kidney Fern Glen and Kowhai grove, I wasn’t quite sure what I should be looking for! Looked at some mangroves and birds hoping for a handout. There was quite a range of bird calls to be heard, exotic to me, and perhaps New Zealand native birds to be seen.

Caught the ferry back at 2:20pm, it only just turned up in time. The ferry is more like a service to several of the islands, it wasn’t running just between Auckland and Rangitoto. Weakened and had a sundae from a McCafe on the way back.