but I'm not the only one

We drove right past Dargaville this weekend, with a stop at Mangawhai Heads and a visit to Tane Mahuta. The drive was long and idyllic and we sang along to the radio as we travelled along gravel roads and through Kauri forests to our friend's new home. It was built in the 1960s and is perched in a clearing at the end of a 16k road in the middle of the bush. It has no electricity but has an outdoor bath, a huge wood burning stove, a fresh water river nearby and the most incredible views. He lives alone, but has plenty of visitors. While there we realised how brave he is to live this way, and how much we would love to do something similar, someday...

Kauri image by Josiah Martin cira 19th Century, photo of Managahwai Heads from here.