We have said it once, and we are going to keep on saying it... We are spoilt to death in New Zealand. In the majority of the world, a winter of howling onshore winds would have even the thickest skinned merino wearing bloke huddled inside by the fire place for a good half of the year, but not here.

Our country is skinny! Two coasts means twice the options in an easy driving distance, especially at the pointy end of the north. Add a few rocky point setups that sit waiting for those huge winter swells and you have no reason to be stuck inside on a stormy winters day. With all the reports pointing towards the biggest swell of the year and with the wind looking just right, we could not ignore this opportunity for an adventure up north. With our accommodation already sorted up top with our roof top tent that meant more room for the important stuff. We packed the truck with all things necessary; boards, beanies, food and friends and started the hike. And a hike it was, but a beautiful one at that!

Like it often can, in the midst of the storm, the wind dropped and the sky blew clear. Making for a weekend we won't be forgetting any time soon. Lunch was spent outside picnic style and the time in between surfs was spent lounging around in t-shirts making peanut butter and banana jaffles. It is hard to believe this is winter. Seeming like these days are often few and far between now in the thick of our New Zealand winter, we were glad to have soaked it all up when given the chance. 

There are some unbelievable spots in the far north to park the truck and unfold the roof top tent for the weekend. After a few laps of the point we perched up on the dunes and spent the rest of the weekend, eating, sleeping, and getting some of the longest, leg-burning lefts of our lifetime (try saying that three times fast). We're going to say this again, spoilt. We were truly the definition of happy campers.

You've really got no excuse to be inside this winter, get out there and unfold adventure. Camp fires keep you warm!