After the diesel leak, the tow home, and all the associated drama, it was time to get back on the horse, so to speak, and head away for a night while the weather was playing ball.

We decided Helensville wasn’t too far away, so we booked a stay at The Lawler Estate, a farm just outside Parakai. It’s only a few kilometres from Parakai and a little further to Helensville, so there were plenty of options for tea.

Fiona followed me up in the car so we could head out for dinner and have a bit of a nosey around the area.

Aaron was very welcoming over the phone, and with the overnight temperature forecast to drop to around 3°C, we decided to take the powered site for an extra $5. It meant staying beside the sheds rather than on the hill overlooking the Kaipara Harbour, but call us old-fashioned—we preferred a warm night to a better view!

It was an easy run up the Northern Motorway before turning off through Kaukapakapa and on to Helensville.

The campsite was a lovely spot, and Aaron had thoughtfully left a couple of large timber blocks for us to level up Rafe.

Once Fiona arrived, we drove into Parakai before continuing on to Helensville for dinner at a well-reviewed fish and chip shop. We found a pleasant car park beside the old railway station and enjoyed our tea as the sun went down. Who says we don’t do romance anymore?

The Lawler Estate is a great place to stay. The sites on the other side of the hill have fantastic views out over the Kaipara Harbour, although they’re unpowered. We’ll definitely have to try one of those in the warmer months.

As for Rafe, he went really well. There was still the faintest hint of diesel smell lingering from the leak the previous week, but considering how much fuel had escaped, the workshop had done a great job cleaning everything up.