All posts by Chris Miller - Buggeritweareoff.com

Founder and Creator of Buggeritweareoff.com. Ex Newspaper Photographer and Commercial Photographer for more than 40 years.
Waikato

Easter at the Raceway

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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.
Great parking behind the grandstand

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

Looking out from the stand

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.

Fantastic Cafe

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.

Cambridge Raceway

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

Rafe’s tracker map to Cambridge – Armada GPS
Coromandel 24

Coromandel Wharf

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.

A great Bar and great food too

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

As the sun goes down

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

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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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Lovely spot

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.

Colville Parking

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.

General Store

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

Tennis anyone?

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.

General Store

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.

Oamaru Bay where we had a swim.

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

Rafe’s tracker map to Coromandel – Armada GPS
Coromandel 24

Enjoying great hospitality at Coromandel

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.

The Pub

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 🙂

A Great Bar in Coromandel

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.

Coromandel shops

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.

Roast Pork
Seafood everything 🙂

A great part of the world!

Rafe’s tracker map to Coromandel – Armada GPS
Coromandel 24

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

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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Looking back from the bridge
Great parking

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.

The sun came out but was still windy.

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

Great Food
Kaiaua Pub

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.

Backed on to the pub 🙂

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.

The boat Marina

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

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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
Petrel with Whalechaser Rorqual behind

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

Ex Work boats Ronaki and Sterling

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.

Te Hauraki

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

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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Along the waterfront at Rotorua

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.

Late afternoon at Ngongotaha NZMCA park

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.

Busy busy

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

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

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Makatote Viaduct
Rafe next to the Viaduct

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.

National Park Railway Station
Fiona at the Historic Railway Station

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.

Turangi NZMCA park

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.

Rain coming through in waves.

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
Taranaki 2024

Small world stuff at Ohakune

With all the trips we’ve done over the last 10 years or so up State Highway 1, I thought it would make a nice change to head across to Ohakune and check out the other side.

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The Ohakune Club

We arrived in the middle of the day and with the door to the Ohakune club shut, we walked into the town for a look around. We checked into a Bar there for a sly Gin and Tonic while watching people come and go, and bought some of Ohakune’s famous Eclairs to take back to Rafe…. and they didn’t disappoint 🙂

Downtown Ohakune

Later, we checked into the club and bought a drink at the bar.  While we were having tea, we met some nice people at the next table who it turned out, grew up in Devonport! They also owned a house in Devonport too, in Roslyn Tce.. “What number?”, asks Fiona. The reply was .. jeepers that’s our old house that we sold four years or so ago.

The back lawn Ohakune Club

It turns out that Rob and Jane bought it as a bit of a wreck as it hadn’t had anyone living in it for a few years. I had scrim on the walls, no light fittings and no taps on the plumbing! It was also smaller at the back and downstairs.

Amazing… it then turned out that we both knew someone from Taupo where they now live who parked in our driveway once… crazy 🙂

We spent another very pleasant half hour or so more with them before heading back through the rain to Rafe.

Rafe’s tracker map to Ohakune – Armada GPS
Taranaki 2024

Those lovely white cliffs at Mangaweka

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We’ve popped in here a few times over the years with friends Dianne and Gary. I even had visions of buying a building here, but it wasn’t to be but fun dreaming and talking about it 🙂

Argyle Hotel in Hunterville

After leaving Wanganui, we headed across the back of Marton and stopped in Hunterville for lunch. Hunterville is another one of those towns you tend to whizz through on your way somewhere.  All the cafes here seemed to be going gang busters which was nice to see.

Parked at Mangaweka.. those cliffs!

After an hour or so here, we cruised up the road a bit to Mangaweka. Since we were last here, they’ve built a new bridge for vehicles which has taken a chunk of the campground, but I think from memory, its actually easier to get into now with a new access road.

The new Road bridge.

We parked Rafe and plugged in and then walked over the bridge to Awastone to pay for the night and have a cup of coffee.

Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow

The Village in Hunteville
Close to nature
enjoying the water
Parked at Mangaweka.. those cliffs !
The old bridge, now pedestrian only
People camped on the grass by the river.

Awastone is the full featured, big brother campground, owned by the same people across the bridge.

Awastone over the road

After that we cruised back to Rafe to check out all the people playing in the river. The place was pretty busy with people opting to park right down by the river with their Caravans and Motorhomes. It’s a lovely spot

We met the people next to us too … nice people. One lot of their way home from Auckland to Nelson and some others who used be locals come back to their old stamping ground.

Hot and wet!

We only had time for one night here this time, but it was lovely to be here and see those amazing cliffs again. The chap who used to live here was telling me that every time a plane flies over the cliffs, bits fall out of them so that wasn’t good news. It seems they quite soft.

Rafe’s tracker map to Mangaweka – Armada GPS