Another year flashes by and we’re into Christmas again… fun times and sunshine.
We’re heading down towards Gisborne where we haven’t been for a while, so we’ll see where we end up!
Thanks to everyone for supporting the blog this year.
More Motorhoming while we can’t travel overseas.
Merry Christmas everyone and Fiona and I hope you have a great New Year… be careful on the roads and if you see us out there, please come and say hello.
They’re off to a great start too from just starting out early this year.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
There were about 40 plus stalls with another 10 or so arranged in a circular food court.
The nice thing about this and several stall holders raved about it was that it was well shaded by some fantastic trees.
I bought some Paua shell Earings for Fiona and some neat soft plastic kitchen utensils for cast pots.
Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow
The way it was set out was nice to with an initial lane which branched out into two other areas, the food court area and the back to the carpark.
Ivana the organiser was pleased with their progress and the numbers I saw there showed it was in good heart.
A neat addition to the facilities and things to do if you stay at the Motorhome parking area.
Thats exactly what it is too! Set out over 50 acres with Restaurants, A Wedding Venue, A Chapel, a Pub, an Art Gallery, A Gym… the list goes on.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
On our way to see friends on the Takaka Peninsula, we’ve driven past here a few times to it was time to try it out and see the markets on the Sunday which is Fiona’s favourite thing to do.
I booked two nights as I thought Fiona was coming too but at the 11th hour, she came down with a germ and told me not to stay around. It turned out that I came down with it anyway a few days later!
I arrived early in the morning on the Saturday and after getting settled in, I walked the 300 metres odd to the Cafe and central area. I was in the queue in the Cafe when good friends Mark and his wife Dinah arrived with Dinah’s brother Wayne.
I haven’t seen Wayne for years, so it was really nice to see them all. After a cup of coffee and something to eat, they headed off to a working bee at their place nearby.
Click on the Gallery below to see an Enlarged Slideshow
After that, I went for a walk back to Rafe just as new neighbours were arriving.
I later went over to the pub to check it all out and it seemed there was a wedding on. Lots of people glammed up and had popped through from the adjoining wedding reception area.
I later met the General Manager Peter who was telling me that they had been absolutely dealt to by the rain and had all sorts of plans to upgrade the parking for the Motorhomes and add some new sites.
After a quiet drink with my neighbours, I packed it in for the night looking forward to the Markets the next morning 🙂
This is one of those places that you’ll keep coming back to. It is just magic and there’s a ferry to Kawau too.
Click on any Image to enlarge.
I arrived early in the afternoon and got myself setup in a corner spot but then realised that under some huge trees, there would be no TV signal.
It’s a fairly casual arrangement, “Park wherever you like except the waterfront spots which are booked for a whole bunch of Ozzies in their Britz vans”. I was only 10 steps away anyway so that was fine:-)
It was warm, there were people out kayaking in the camps free Kayaks and people out swimming.
I went for a walk across to the Sandpit Yacht club later for tea and sat out on the deck with a nice glass of chardonnay. Very civilised I thought but such a nice spot and the food was fantastic too.
Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow
Later it was time to head back for a shower in the fantastic newish ablutions block.
There used to be a whole bunch of pretend historic shops around the office area which all seem to have gone which is a shame.. one of the features of this camp but still a great spot to stay all the same.
Bugger It, we are off - www.buggeritweareoff.com 
You must be logged in to post a comment.