After parking early on Thursday morning, and after a cup of coffee and getting things ship shape in Rafe, I went for a bit of a wander around the parking areas.
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Lots of white vehicles
It’s amazing just people watching and taking piccies as I went of things happening. The parking team did an amazing job getting lines straight and getting everyone in safely.
Talking to some of them later, it’s amazing to hear that there were a few whines from visitors not being able to park right next to their friends etc.
The blurb did say, “if you want to be next to friends or family, come in together”. It’s hard work for the volunteer parkers getting everyone in safely, let alone stop queues unnecessarily.
As I say, the Volunteer parkers did an amazing job well done yet again…!!
Check out the images of my walk about the parking area. I can’t get over the number of old friends I bumped into while walking around. Great fun.
Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged people images.
Reading something that doesn’t need to be plugged in 🙂
Off to the show
The Queue to get in
I’m not sure there were as many people as previous shows, but it was a fun place to be and lots to see.
You never know how these are going to go given the economy as it is. Is there going be much new things to see? is it going to be well attended? but it was all that and more. For me it was also a great chance to catch up with quite a few friends I haven’t seen for a while.I arrived early on the Thursday morning and the first friend I caught up actually parked me 🙂 Great to see Alan and Keitha again 🙂Friday morning it was showtime. My first stand to see was the Zion Motorhomes stand where I caught up with Tony who was looking after the Morelo “Home” Motorhome on the stand.
The Morelo on the left.
Tony has been eagerly awaiting the delivery of his new Morelo Empire liner which will be the first of its kind in New Zealand. Delays due to Covid, delivery schedules and shipping delays have meant he has been waiting for nearly 2.5 years! It is due really soon. It is 10 metres long with a 400HP Mercedes Engine. As Tony says, Its a beast! Really exciting for both Tony and his wife Fiona and I wish them well.
After that, I got some images of the new Dethleffs Grand Alpa with its Dual rear axles and rear lounge. Nice Motorhome. 8.6 metres long with a GVM of 540kg’s. Great to see the Zion crew all looking good.
Click on the Gallery below to see an Enlarged images of the Grand Alpa
The Grand Alpa
Moving on from here I popped into the Nationwide RV stand to look at one of the new Autotrails. The F74 which runs on a WOF and has a rear bed with an extra drop-down bed. Nice motorhome and at 7.3metres is easy to manage for those wanting something a bit smaller but still comfortable with all the mod cons.
Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged images of the F74
Just next door was the new ACM Alltrax caravan which is brand new. They describe it as the Caravan version of the ACM Platinum which is a stunning Motorhome and so is this Caravan. Check out the images.
Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged images of the Alltrax
One of the most notable new things at the show would have to be the very retro looking German, Eriba 530 Caravan on the RV Mega stand. At 5.9metres overall and at 1400kg, it looks well built and comes with all the usual bits and bobs.
Click on the Gallery below to see enlarged images of the Eriba
From here I popped into see the good folk at the NZMCA stand and did my usual team pic see below.
The NZMCA team.The crew with the Rio. NZMCA’s founders Motorhome.
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The Queue
RV super centre
One of the Kia Campers
Gin and Bare it tastinngs 🙂
Sensium used to be called Armada GPS and they sold me my GPS tracker that I have in Rafe that produces all the maps you see on these blogs. A great product and nice to catch up with them too.
Sensium’s Peter McLean showing how small the units are.
Once I got outside, it was interesting to see some of the Aussie caravans here with their raised chassis. They are pretty solid looking beasts and certainly look the part.
Another great show and nice to see so many old friends there.
It has been a while since I was last out here in Pukekohe, a few years perhaps but boy it has grown. There are new houses everywhere you look, and the town has grown too.
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I checked in with Sarah at the Pukekohe A&P grounds where they’ve provided Motorhome parking for some years now. She very kindly showed me where everything was and after parking the van, I went for a walk over the road to the Z Zone.
I stopped in at the local Hollywood Bakery for a coffee and then popped into a few local shops. before heading back to the park.
When I first started coming here about 8 years or so ago, it was all grass with lots of mud when it was wet and a couple of power poles.
Ian was the man in charge, and I understand he is still involved. He has done a magnificent job over the years of developing this into a really nice area to stay.
Now there are Toilets, showers and a coin operated Laundry in the new(ish) amenities block. There is a circular gravel road which runs past many of the sites and on past the dump station. So no more muddy exits 🙂 .. Ans all at a reasonable price too.
The Amenities block, now with a LaundryAnd a Dump Station!
There are a lot more power points all set out with plenty of space on big sites. It’s a fantastic setup.
Click on the Gallery below for an Enlarged Slideshow
The Amenities block, now with a Laundry
Just across the road is one of Pukekohe’s big shopping areas with the Warehouse and several other big stores. Pukekohe’s main street is just a few steps further on.
Having not been here for a while and seeing the changes, Ian, Sarah and the crew have done a fantastic job providing some Motorhome and Caravan accommodation in an area where there wasn’t any.
Valerie and Murray built one of their early Motorhomes themselves for accommodating horses and themselves at shows. Horses were at the back; they were in the front.
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Murray and Valerie
Since then, they have had “6 or 7” with them being a mix from pop up Caravans, Pop up and small Motorhomes, to more recently a Swift Bessacar, Autotrail Commanche, a borrowed Roller team and now the main prize, the Swift Kon-Tiki.
Great entertaining spaceThe Bed room
They picked up the Kon-Tiki just 8 weeks ago from Wellington and what a beauty.
It is 9 metres long, has 2.5 litre motor and has everything that opens and shuts.
Galley
With the entertaining area in the front with seats down each side facing each other and a table in the middle. The Galley behind with a new tall Dometic double opening Fridge opposite. Behind this is the Bathroom with doors on each side and then the centre island bed at the back.
Its light and well-lit and they’re really happy with their new baby. They have done their first big trip in it up to Kerikeri and it went well. A very nice Motorhome with plenty of room.
On the way from Waihi, I saw that the free parking in Paeroa was empty so I figured it might be timely to visit Countdown for some food and a look around Paeroa.
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It was quiet when I arrived 🙂
I parked Rafe, paid for the parking and it was time to check out Paeroa… in the rain. It was pouring down. The Antique shops are amazing, but I had a feeling that there were a few more.
Antique Alley
Peter at Granvilles
It wasn’t until later in the day when I popped into the Pub opposite the parking, The Paeroa Hotel that I found out sadly that several shops had not made it through the Covid lockdowns and the downturn that went with it. Several Antique shops too. Its always a shame to see a business fail especially when its outside your control to some degree like the Covid lockdown.
The Hotel was fun. I met several of the locals, had a few laughs and after a couple of glasses of wine headed back to Rafe.
Downtown Paeroa
The parking is essentially free unless you use power. That costs $5 a night and it’s all laid on by the Hauraki Council. It’s great to see a council that recognises that if you give Motor homers access to where the tills are and something to buy, buy they will so it’s a win win 🙂
Later in the day
Anyway, it’s a fantastic facility and so handy right in the middle of town.
I have always stayed in the Paeroa RV centre. Great folk there and a reasonable price but it’s a good half hour walk from town.
One of the nice things about small towns dotted around the Waikato is the ambience of some of the old character buildings and Te Aroha is one of those towns.
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Downtown Te ArohaOne of the corner sculpturesA Great old building
Along with its famous Hot Pools, sculptures on street corners, and nice old buildings, it also now has its very own NZMCA park. The best way to describe it is “long and skinny”, but it also backs on to a track that takes you straight into the town in minutes.
The Museum BuildingThe Well know old Grand Tavern opposite the Museum
I was last here a few years ago at a rally next door to the park and it was a lot of fun. There was Kayaking down the river, the bike trails were busy, and the cafes did a roaring trade. Here’s a look back at that event here.
The NZMCA park with Mt Te Aroha behindNZMCA park
It’s a neat wee town and perfect for the bike trails up and into the Karangahake Gorge.
39 Dethleffs Motorhomes of all shapes and sizes arrived in Miranda ready to catch up with old friends and see other Motorhomes. There were quite a few first timers at this event but also the old hands that could remember others names to catch up with people they met earlier.
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The Coupes Arriving
The first day was about settling the vans down and wandering around to see where everyone was and having a swim in the hot pool.
Later in the day, there was happy hour for everyone to get together and there was an impromptu shared meal between a dozen or so friends in the evening.
There was a really funny moment after the meal when we were all sitting around having a few drinks and a few laughs. There was a group of about 20 odd teenagers on the table next to us and there were about 8 of us by then. A lady in the group stood up to make a speech and as soon as she started, one of our group started singing happy birthday and others joined in. She was saying no no, then gave up but our group stopped singing. Everyone was laughing. Then we found out it was an engagement so there were lots of congratulations from us too! Great time. 😂😂
The pot luckers on Friday Night
Because Fiona was working late on the Friday, she arrived in the car around 8:30.
The cyclists setting off for Kaiaua and the Cafe
The next morning was the bike ride to Kaiaua or to a cafe up the road. There were about 19 bike riders on bikes! A great turnout. Most were riding the 13k’s or so to the Kaiaua for lunch.
On the trail to Kaiaua
Fiona and I followed them and got pictures of them at stops with the car.
On the trail to Kaiaua
When we arrived at the pub, well before the cyclists, Quin the Manager had just arrived and was about to open so perfect timing.
At the Kaiaua Pub for lunch
At the Kaiaua Pub for lunch
We all went out to the back beer garden with the bikes and ordered coffees and lunch. Fiona and I had an amazing pizza.
The bikes at the pub
About an hour or so there, we started the trek back.
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Bruce and Judys Globe 4 (Rafe’s twin)
Catching up in the driveway
Liz and Nolina
Catching up on Friday
Friday night happy hour
Friday night
Friday night Happy Hour
On the trail to Kaiaua
On the trail to Kaiaua
Rays Rest
On the trail to Kaiaua
On the trail to Kaiaua
At Rays Rest
The Team piccy
Saturday night
Steve and Troy still behaving 🙂
Saturday night eating fest 🙂
Back to the hot pool and then later at 4, we had the team photo. Where we normally do the piccy was really boggy, so we had to move out to the motorhome parking.
The Team piccy
Happy Hour came next, and the place was chocker with people.
Pot Luck heaven
Sat Night with the shared meal.
The Buffet 🙂
Then came the shared meal and the meals were restaurant quality… just amazing and everyone got a great feed with some going back for seconds. Fantastic.
On the last day (Sunday Morning) we caught up again for a farewell coffee together.
Bruce and Judys Globe 4, Above, (Rafe’s twin) 9 years old and over 100000ks and never missed a beat… a testament to the old 3 litre Ivecos! Rafes got 102000ks, exactly the same Motor, Motorhome and colour!
Dethleffs everywhere you look
A great event with lots of fun and thanks to everyone for coming.
Waihi has an atmosphere all on its own and it doesn’t matter how many times I come here, there is always a nice historic vibe to absorb. This time it was just nice standing up beside the big Martha hole in the sunshine and taking it all in.
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That big HoleThe Cornish Pumphouse next to the MineThe Cornish Pumphouse in front of Waihi
After checking out the Goldfields Railway parking to see if there was any room as they have a few of the sites off limits due to the sodden ground. I was in luck. It wasn’t perfect as it was hard getting level, but it was only for a night.
Station just in front
It’s good to support the railway where I can as it’s a charity and they do a really good job of keeping the old Trains alive. Most days of the week, they do trips through to the Waikino station where you can get a coffee and walk the Karangahake Trails and walks. You can also take your bikes on an open carriage and do the trails from Waikino.
Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow
While I was at Bowentown, I spotted one of the new Bailey Adamo’s down by the beach.
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Ken and Rose
This was Ken and Rose’s first trip away in it after picking it up only a few weeks ago. Not too far from home at Omokoroa, their shakedown first trip was so far uneventful apart from a few missing groceries!
Cab area.
Following the European trend of smaller vehicles for parking in European cities and with emissions in mind, the Bailey measures in at 7.485m with a 3500kg GVM making it a WOF vehicle. Being on a Transit base, it is powered by a Ford 2l Turbo diesel. Apparently, it is the same as the motor in the 2l Ranger.
The rear loungeDrop down bed at the back.
One of the nice things that sold it for Rose and Ken was the drop-down beds giving them a front dining / Lounge area and a nice cosy U shape lounge area at the back. Both beds are electric with a nice Galley area and Bathroom on opposite sides in the middle. A great way to save space.
Front Lounge with Bed above
It’s funny who you meet on the road as later in the day when we sat down with a glass of wine together, it turned out that they both spent many years on Waiheke Island and know a few people in our family as well as a few friends on the island. Small world stuff.
Bowentown is just one of those places that just works and with its fantastic beach, it is hard to beat for somewhere to stay. Every time I walked down to the beach with the camera over the few days I had here, there was a completely different look.
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Looking down from the hill. Rafe parked at the bottom of the image.
I was parked overlooking the sea and the rest of the camp close to where I was when I was here a few years ago. A lovely spot and only a few steps to the sand.
That amazing beach
Anzac Bay is an easy walk from the Campground and is on the other side of the peninsular. There used to be overnight parking a few years ago but it was stopped due to congestion issues, but it is another nice bay with others beyond that you can walk to from there. If you have bikes, there is a great bike trail that takes you all the way up to the northern end Waihi Beach.
Anzac Bay
I spent some time with some other Motor homers who had stopped for lunch and were enjoying the sunshine.
Picnickers at Anzac Bay
Back to the camp… On the second day, there, I popped down to the new Froth Cafe for a coffee and a snack. They had a walking group from Waihi Beach so were run off their feet but both Shawna and Helon had the place humming. The walkers do this on a regular basis and stop for a reward at the Cafe.
Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged Slideshow
Lunch at Anzac Bay
Looking out towards Katikati at Anzac Bay
The Vw’s are still there
The kid’s area at Bowentown
The view from our park .. just the best.
Looking North, Rafe down the bottom.
The Boat ramp on the inner harbour at Bowentown
One of those moods on the beach
There used to be a lovely boardwalk that ran along the top of the sand dunes along the beach but unfortunately the last weather events undermined to the point that it was unsafe, and it has been removed.
It is still one of the best beaches around and just going down to sit in the lee of the hill at the bottom of the beach with the sand between your toes is just magic, even in winter 🙂
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.
It’s amazing just people watching and taking piccies as I went of things happening. 
The parking team did an amazing job getting lines straight and getting everyone in safely.
Talking to some of them later, it’s amazing to hear that there were a few whines from visitors not being able to park right next to their friends etc.
The blurb did say, “if you want to be next to friends or family, come in together”. It’s hard work for the volunteer parkers getting everyone in safely, let alone stop queues unnecessarily.
As I say, the Volunteer parkers did an amazing job well done yet again…!!
Check out the images of my walk about the parking area. I can’t get over the number of old friends I bumped into while walking around. Great fun.
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