Even after 10 years, Miracles do happen !

April 24, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

Our Motorhome Rafe is just coming up to 10 years old so it’s no surprise that there have been a few things I’ve had to replace or upgrade in the last couple of years.

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The LTE (Internet) aerials when they were installed, with the Dome.

A couple of months ago we were down in Kaiaua in the NZMCA park when our Apollo 400 dome finally popped its clogs. When it was two years old, I had to pop into Apollo to have a belt for the LNB put back on after it fell off, so I was aware that the dome has been superseded 2 or 3 times by various dish receivers and there were no parts available in NZ. Over the years since then, we’ve had nothing but a trouble-free run with only location-based issues.

I’d sort of resigned myself to the fact that it was a doomer and time to bin it as we use the Netspeed Internet system for anything we want to see anyway and cast onto Chromecast on the 10-year-old TV’s 🙂

My son Drew has just upgraded the TV on his boat Rorqual (used to be mine) and replaced it with a smart TV and told me about MI Box that he had on the old TV which essentially turns it into a smart TV.

Sounds like me I thought so after he gave it to me, I installed it on one TV and then bought another for the second TV. What a difference. Easy to load anything and you can add apps as well like Three Now and TVNZ. It’s essentially an Android device and done by Google. The new one is badged Google TV. The Dome was now mentally consigned to the bin and unnecessary.

In our latest Dethleffs Get together in Rotorua, I had a problem with my Dometic fridge not wanting to play the game. Same age. As soon as we plugged it in elsewhere it burst into life and ran faultlessly. I’ve had this problem here before. Same campground so thought it was time for a check over anyway.

Vantage RV in Silverdale originally installed and setup all this stuff when Rafe was brand new 10 years ago so after arriving early one fine day, they got ready to take the dome off and bin it and check over the fridge along with cleaning the back and the flue.

Once the lid was taken off the Dome, the Technician wobbled a couple of the signal wires when one looked a bit lose. Being a Dome it was like new inside. After taking a few connections off and cleaning them and reconnecting, I was told to go and turn it on… off it went 🙂

The Vantage Technician putting the cover back on.

Amazing so he climbed down to get some different sprays and protectants and gave it a quick going over. On with the cover and a couple more tests… perfect! So, it got to stay on the roof 🙂 Can’t believe it! So, we made the decision to keep it!

The Dome with an aerial. One on the other side too.

The fridge got the big tick as well after testing it and cleaning it.

So now we have an easy backup system for TV. One of the downsides of the Dome though is that unlike its more modern counterparts, it doesn’t completely turn off after connecting to a satellite, powering a solenoid to keen the signal feeding into the TV’s. This draws roughly .75 of an amps per hour so with the TV, it makes freedom camping with TV not to be background noise!

The upside with the Mi box is minimal power use, hi definition TV (better than the Standard from the Dome) and easy selection of programs including Netflix! They are a little more than $125 depending on where you buy them from.

Out of the box, it was simply a case of plugging it into the USB port for power and an empty HDMI port for the signal. Turn the TV on, set it to the port and there it was. I had to set it up for an internet connect and a google account (so I could download apps like three now and TVNZ on Demand) and we were all done.

Best of both worlds now 🙂

Rallies, Rotorua

2024 Dethleffs Get Together in Rotorua

April 9, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

We arrived in Rotorua early in the afternoon after getting a puncture in Fiona’s bike repaired in downtown Rotorua. It turned out that the Tube had completely split inside without any outside intervention. One of those things 🙂

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After checking in slightly later than planned, at the Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park where we were all booked in, many of the team were already there and enjoying catching up with others. There was a great circle of chairs already forming outside Greg and Shona’s Advantage, just across where we were parked and as the afternoon went on the circle got bigger and bigger 🙂

The Holiday Park reckon there were more than 25 Motorhomes in our group that had booked. I could only count 23 so to simplify things we called it more than 25 🙂

Click on the Gallery below to see some of the Motorhomes

Spot the XLI

Fiona and I checked in with a few people and then went for a swim which was literally only meters away from where we were parked which was really handy.

After the mandatory 4pm happy hour where we all came together, it was time for tea. We joined in with the crew at Greg and Shona’s spot. Great fun and nice to see everyone again.

The next day at 10am, we were all setup outside ready for the bike rides. We split the group into two. Steve took the more experienced, fitter riders on the Loop which was 42k’s or thereabouts and included the blue and green lakes. A decent ride.

Steve’s images from the Loop ride to the blue and green lakes. 42k’s

Steve’s image from the loop ride. An event beside one of the lakes.

Fiona returning on the easier bike ride.

Thanks heaps to both Steve Miller and Neal Butt for making sure we all got there and back and safely.

Neal took the other group up a pathway that he knew along the Taupo Road which was great nice and safe and an easy non tree stump and tree root route with a Cafe stop afterwards. We got back after 15k’s odd feeling like we had had some exercise 🙂 It was time for a swim!

Click on the Gallery below for some casual expressions 🙂

On time for the second Happy Hour 🙂

Happy hour on the Saturday

It was time for the 4pm happy hour and the Team photo event and it was a full turn out. Great to see everyone and this carried on for the potluck dinner at a nicely placed set of covered tables outside the kitchen. Thanks to Judy and some others who stepped in to give the table tops a bit of a clean which they needed.

The Happy Team – Click on the photo to enlarge.

The food prepared was sensational and we even had some desert too. The weather held out and we had a great night finished off with another swim in the hot pool 🙂

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The meal !

Steve and Rene having a natter… There must have been some bumps on the bike ride 🙂

Tea time

Fiona and I thought we’d stay on for another night to relax and after saying goodbye to everyone as everyone departed, we jumped on the bikes and rode into downtown Rotorua.

After stopping at a couple of shops, we headed down to a Cafe we’ve been to before down by the waterfront called Lime. After a great lunch and an Ice Cream later by Eat St, we slowly headed back to the Campground.

A fantastic weekend seeing everyone. There were quite a few people looking at other’s Motorhomes and swapping notes and all I could see was lots of smiles.

The next Event is at Waipu Cove Campground on the 18^th and 19^thOctober. A big Campground right beside an amazing beach. Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Rafe’s tracker map to Rotorua Holiday Park – Armada GPS

Waikato

Easter at the Raceway

April 3, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

With the next Dethleffs get together coming up this weekend in Rotorua, Fiona and I headed off to one of our favourite wee towns, Cambridge. Staying at the Raceway on the edge of town, this was where we had last year’s Dethleffs do under and around a big tree.

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The Greyhounds under the tree’s where the Dethleffs do was.

Getting down there with the Easter traffic was painful as we left it a bit late, and it took hours.

This year, we left the bikes behind which was a mistake in hindsight, but we ended up having several big walks into and around town.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

The pub overlooking the town.

The Main street

Nice old Buildings

Cambridge Town Hall

There’s a big Cafe in the middle of town called the Deli which makes amazing coffee and also has some nice options for lunch. Being Easter, most of the shops were shut but it was still nice looking around.

The Racecourse also has a Bar and Restaurant called the Clubroom, which was open only on the Saturday night, so we headed there for a G&T. But there is an amazing Hamburger place underneath the Clubrooms all painted orange so you can’t miss it. Fantastic burgers and with the park being pretty full of NZMCA Caravans and Motorhomes, there were plenty of customers for them.

A nice weekend away and great parking in a nice place.

Rafe’s tracker map to Cambridge – Armada GPS

Coromandel 24

Coromandel Wharf

March 22, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

It’s a great area here but being spoilt for great food, we decided we’d better be sensible and make an effort on our last day here to walk off some calories, so after stopping in Downtown Coromandel, we carried on around the corner to the wharf.

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The last notable time we came here by boat. Two 12 metre launches with friends and while we parked out in deep water off the wharf, he was determined to get into the wharf for some fuel.

They got in ok but getting out again with the water running away was amazing with him sliding along the mud until there was enough water. I don’t know how he did it, but he was always a clever in this department and there must have been just enough water under him to slide with 🙂 Great yarn anyway but it is true. If it was me, I would never have made it 🙂

There were no clouds, no wind and little traffic so it was blissful just walking around looking at the boats. The wharf itself is tidal too so they sit on the mud when they’re in.

We dawdled back to the town and checked in for lunch.

After a quick look at a very clever Copper sculpture maker. We headed back to the Rafe for a G&T.

Rafe’s tracker map to Coromandel – Armada GPS

Coromandel 24

Downtown Colville

March 17, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 2 Comments

How does the song go? “Well, I’ve never been to Spain”! this was our first time to Colville and what a neat little place. I’d only been here a few minutes when I checked in to the General Store and the lovely person serving recognised me from having the Camera… we worked out it must have been in Coromandel.

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This is the home of a newish POP Hereford N a Pickle. Great name! It is basically a fairly upmarket Cafe with lots of outdoor dining and lots of Motorhome parking in a rural area.

There are some outdoor loos close to the Motorhome parking and a few minutes up the road is the General Store. Just along from the town is Colville Bay/beach which is a fairly shingly beach with some sand.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

Downtown Colville

The Cafe and outdoor area

Entrance to Cafe

The Outdoor Dining

Character Loos

Post Office

Oamaru Bay where we stopped for a swim

Omaaru Bay

We parked Rafe and checked in for a Coffee and a Scone each.

There is also a Tennis court in the middle of the town as well if you’ve got your racquets with you.

After a couple of hours, we headed back towards Coromandel and stopped at Oamaru Bay for a swim. The water was almost tepid. Just lovely.

We headed back to the Pub and again we decided the food deserved another sampling. this time it was Pork Belly for me and a Seafood Sensation that was unbelievable.

That was us for the day. Well worth the trip 🙂

Coromandel 24

Enjoying great hospitality at Coromandel

March 12, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

We let Kaiaua reasonably early and started heading over towards Thames and onwards up the coast to Coromandel. After stopping at Kopu for fuel and the Supermarket for some last-minute provisions, were off up the coast.

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The sun was shining, and the wind had dropped off nicely but there still a few puffs.

After about 40 minutes of easy driving, we stopped briefly at the Mania seafood shop for some Oysters and other amazing seafood.

The Coromandel Hotel has a very small Motorhome facility at the back which is just delightful. Don’t come here though if you’re expecting flash loos and showers! While they’re quite functional, they would best be described as very Rustic 🙂 Their business though is selling Meals and Drink, and they do this very well. The food is sensational. The Gin and Tonics are great too 🙂

After checking in and setting up Rafe, plugging in and opening vents, we set off to downtown Coromandel which is only 10 minutes or so walk.

After a Coffee and a look at some of the shops, we slowly headed back to the pub and checked in for Tea. The food was something else… see the images below. I had a Roast Pork and Fiona had a Seafood Chowder. Sensational.

A great part of the world!

Coromandel 24

Fish and Chips, and a glass of wine on the Coast!

March 7, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

One of the handiest new additions in the NZMCA parks has been Kaiaua. Its close enough to Auckland to escape the city and bunk down for a sprint somewhere further on with fantastic eating opportunities.

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We were heading to Coromandel but with forecast 80k westerlies that day, we thought we’d delay it a day and sit tight. We haven’t been to Coromandel for ages, so we were both really looking forward to going. It was to be the next day.

We arrived in Kaiaua around midday, pleasantly surprised that the holiday traffic wasn’t too bad.

The first thing to do was check out the Bayview Hotel. It’s my understanding that the chef that was at Fleurs in Moeraki has started working here so that’s exciting. We kept things simple and shared a pizza which was fantastic. Later in the day, we couldn’t resist the fantastic Fish and Chips at the Kaiaua Fish shop next door.

After generally loafing around at the park and a walk around the marina, I caught up with part of the Dethleffs Owners Group, Andrew and Pip also in the park. Nice to see them.

We popped in here not that long ago but it’s such a handy spot.

Rafe’s tracker map to Kaiaua – Armada GPS

Classic Boating, Shows

The 1st Wooden Boat Festival

March 2, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

Over 100 beautiful Wooden boats were assembled at the Jellicoe Harbour by The Viaduct for the first Auckland Wooden Boat Festival in Auckland.

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Put together by experienced boating event organisers , Tony Stephenson and his wife Michelle and their team.

Looking at the numbers rolling in the door, you’d have to say it was a roaring success and may there be many more to come.

Rorqual owner Drew setting up fenders to settle in Rorqual the Whale chaser

I was there as a bit of a hanger on really helping my son Drew take our old boat Rorqual to the show.

I was really pleased to catch up with some of my old friends from both the Classic Yacht Association and other Classic Boat owners.

There was some inside exhibits as well of smaller craft and some being rebuilt.

One of the notable boats at the show was an ex-Auckland Tug called Te Hauraki. For many years it was owned by a long time well known entrepreneur, leader of the Auckland classic boat scene and marine character, John Street. As Tony said in the speeches, he would be absolutely chuffed to have seen this happening in Auckland. Sadly, John passed away recently but his old boat was here for the occasion.

Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged images of the show.

Rehia

Meola

Menai with Rorqual the whalechaser in the distance behind

Sterling

John Dory

Kate

Ariki

Anatole with his boat Korara

Peter with his Bridgedecker Lady Margaret

Rawhiti

Petrel with Akarana behind

Akarana

Viking

Windhaven

Prize

Classic Bridgedecker Menai

Te Hauraki with Meola behind

Picton Whalechaser Primadonna

I’ll leave you with the images which sum it up nicely. A fantastic few days in the sun. The boats all scrubbed up nicely and just looked great. Well done to everyone who took part.

Taranaki 2024

Feeling at home at Ngongotaha

February 28, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

We left Turangi early and headed up the side of the lake as Fiona was really looking forward to “doing the shops” in Taupo. We’ve met several people over the last few weeks have given us different views of the changes at Taupo and none of them are all that flash so we were a bit unsure of what we might find.

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Driving along the Taupo waterfront and hour or so later, there were thousands of people enjoying the sun and the lakefront and it looked fantastic. I got to the end of the waterfront to the town and suddenly out of the blue was right-hand bend into the back of the town.

How to get to the day Motorhome parking on the other side of town easily. Too hard I thought with all the people, so we decided we’d skip Taupo and head straight for Rotorua.

An hour or so later, we were at Ngongotaha plugging ourselves in and getting ready for our first bike ride into Rotorua down the bike trail. We’ve done this before too but it’s always different and new things to see and do. Fiona’s favourite French Cafe was closed due to the silly season, so we had a lovely Cafe lunch just by the waterfront before biking up to a well know baby shop to look for some clothes for my year-old grandson.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

Along the waterfront

Ohinemutu

The Trail into town

Eat St

Pleasant day

Late afternoon at Ngongotaha

We had two nights there and after another night at the Ngongotaha park and some more riding around the waterfront, we packed up and headed back to Auckland.The park is looking good and is always busy which is good to see. It’s so handy to town too.

Rafe’s tracker map to Ngongotaha – Armada GPS

Taranaki 2024

The other way North through National Park

February 23, 2024 Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com 1 Comment

One of the nice things about going a different way is seeing new things or seeing them differently.

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After leaving Ohakune, we headed up towards National Park, stopping in at the new Kiwi Camp there by the old Historic Railway Station. The cafe was shut so after half an hour of walking around, we headed up the road until we came to the Makatote Viaduct. What an impressive structure and given when it was built, it wouldn’t have been easy.

Another half an hour and off we went again, this time we decided to head up and see the old Chateau. What a shame it has become a casualty of its upkeep. We stayed here with friends Gary and Dianne a few years ago in the campground there and had High Tea in the Lounge with all the service… most impressive. We still have the memories. 🙂

The Chateau with some rain coming through

The building is still impressive though. I hope someone can find a way to make it pay its way.

We left there and headed for Turangi and stopped in at the mall for a Coffee and Lunch opposite in a Cafe then we checked in at The NZMCA park there.

The park is looking fantastic. The forecast was for heavy rain and thunderstorms which we were all waiting for but didn’t happen. A great night there anyway.

Rafe’s tracker map to Turangi – Armada GPS

Fiona & Chris, two empty nesters put their dreams of doing something different into reality… Now back in a house, they were living in their Motorhome, come along for the ride.

	Warmenhj on 2024 Dethleffs Get Together in…
	Warmenhj on Easter at the Raceway
	Chris Miller - Bugge… on Downtown Colville
	Warmenhj on Downtown Colville

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Fiona & Chris, two empty nesters put their dreams of doing something different into reality… Now back in a house, they were living in their Motorhome, come along for the ride.