Tag Archives: Small Towns

Coromandel 2016

Cat flaps and Avocados

2 Comments

To beat the traffic south, we stayed overnight in Rafe, in their Ardmore driveway with Alex, Sarah and the boys.
At around 8:30 in the morning, we heard the little knock from 3yr old Liam wanting to come in. Fiona let him in and he jumped on the bed and played his favourite games on Fiona’s iPad.
We got up and had breakfast 15 or so minutes later when Ayden(7yrs) arrived to join in. He went on to tell us that Liam had sneaked out to see us and in doing so, got stuck in the cat flap in the back door. To cries of “help please” Sarah got up to help him back out of the cat flap and free himself. We had no idea but when I mentioned it to him later, he shrugged his shoulders and just grinned at me. 😀

Dancing
Dancing

After saying goodbye, we headed towards Paeroa to stop briefly at Countdown for groceries and then on to Katikati to join in with the NZMCA promoted Katikati Wine and Avocado festival at Uretara Domain.

Rafe in front of the the park. Although we could have stayed there, we moved later over to the edge of the park closer to other Motorhomes.
Rafe in front of the the park. Although we could have stayed there, we moved later over to the edge of the park closer to other Motorhomes.

We did this for the first time last year and it was a real hoot. Great music, interesting food and nice wines. I bought a nice bottle of Chardonnay and Fiona had a cider and we ordered several bits to make up a great lunch. We joined up with some nice people from Tauranga. After them, we were joined by another couple also from Tauranga but originally from Auckland. As it turns out, our sons had both been posted overseas one after the other to the same place. Small world stuff.
It was a great day. The Katikati Lions club did a great job arranging parking for about 30 odd Motorhomes and setting up the event.

The normally free are next to the reserve.. Chocker !
Earlier in the day
Everyone was involved
One of the stalls
One of the wine dealers
Lions club people cleaning up as the day went on. They did a fantastic job.
One of the early bands
One of the wine stalls there
I’m not sure who they were but she was amazing on the bagpipes too.
You can see the Motorhomes in the background
One of the main bands
Dancing
Talks around the cricket pitch
Later I moved Rafe over with the other Motorhomes once some cars left.

Last year, we were in the normal free parking next to the domain but this year, there were more vans so we parked right on the domain behind a temporary fence which worked really well.
Later we were invited over to our neighbours two buses for the customary happy hour with about 18 others from Motorhomes.

The proceeds of the festival were for the local rescue helicopter.
The proceeds of the festival were for the local rescue helicopter.

A great fun day for everyone and I hope this years charity, Katikati rescue Helicopter rescue squad did OK from the proceeds.

Art Deco 2016

Lakefront views for free

1 Comment

After lifting in to place the pre made walls of the new scullery and enjoying another fantastic breakfast, Gary had a crack at Fiona’s sewing machine and fixed it ! Being clever with things like this and in his workshop from heaven, he managed to make it do the things it was supposed to do.
Gary and Dianne were heading to Auckland to see a show so after a couple of great days and nights with them and after saying our goodbyes, we left and headed into Taupo.

A visit to the dump station for emptying and water, then we stopped at one of the free waterfront Motorhome parks.

The cycling/walk track which go's right around the lakefront
The cycling/walk track which go’s right around the lakefront

We were right over the road from the Taupo park with a small train for kids, a superloo where you can have a shower and tidy yourself up for a few dollars, or play giant chess. It is also right in the middle of town and has a view all over the lake. You couldn’t be in a better spot. The sign writing on the road also allows for the magic 3 metres between vans for fire safety.

Don’t forget to click on the images on this page for hi res.

The parking area
The kids train
The chess board
Down the Main Street. Park on the right
The superloo
People enjoying the view in front of the parked vans
Dusk

Within minutes of arriving, we met our neighbours right next door and later some people from Whitianga in their caravan who are also heading to Napier.

Dusk
Dusk

We walked into town for lunch and Fiona did the shops. I checked out the park and headed back to Rafe for a read and a general blob.
Later our neighbours popped in for a sundowner.

Another great day on the road.

Art Deco 2016

Yippee, we’re off again.

Fiona has been working full weeks pretty much since Christmas to cover for others having holidays so we’ve been a bit restricted in getting away times. But that’s finished now so as the saying go’s .. Bugger it we’re off !
I spent Thursday getting the Rotoiti bugs off the front of the van, cleaning the floors and getting some basic provisions and then picked Fiona up from work.
We headed out to Ardmore to stay with Alex, Sarah and the grandkids as its Liam’s birthday coming up and we will miss it. After a nice night with Alex and Sarah in the van, we left around 10am and after quick stops for water and fuel, we were off towards Taupo.
A brilliantly fine day, not a cloud in the sky, our first stop was to be Cambridge for lunch. With the new motorway having gone through, it’s amazing how much less traffic is in Cambridge now, to the point that our favourite church cafe has closed down. As we came in to Cambridge, we passed a cafe called the Red Cherry which we’d stopped at before.

The Red Cherry with Rafe down the road
The Red Cherry with Rafe down the road
The Red Cherry cafe
The Red Cherry cafe

Fantastic place. Plenty of parking around for big vehicles and they even sell their coffee Nespresso machine ready to take away.
A pretty cruisy run through Tirau, Putaruru and Tokoroa where Fiona woke up from a long zzzz. By then, we weren’t far from Taupo.
There is a neat rest area half along the road from Warakei to Taupo where you can look down over the Huka falls area. We stopped there for a cup of tea and then at Countdown in Taupo for ingredients for the curried chicken Fiona was making for tea.

The rest area out of Taupo
The rest area out of Taupo

At around 4, we arrived at Gary and Diannes place at Acacia Bay where we’re staying the night. They are currently adding a butlers pantry to the back of their current kitchen so we arrived just in time to help shuffle the pre are walls around 😎

Dianne and Gary
Fiona and Gary cooking up a storm
Fiona’s curry chicken entree
At Dusk
The view at night over Taupo
Kevo, Gary, Rossco and Nige the concrete expert.
The pour. Gary peering around the corner
Nearly done

Their new house is amazing with views back over the lake towards Taupo. There is a vacant section right next door which has me twitching a wee bit. The whole area is stunning. With all the builders vehicles around, we were parked next to Gary and Diannes new XLI. The vans looked good up their with the view of Taupo behind.
After a swim in the pool, it was time for tea and a few drinks. A great night with some great people in a lovely spot.

On Saturday morning, the concrete truck arrived and it was all on. Nigel, Gary’s concrete expert was on the job and turned the fresh pour into a masterpiece. Having screed my father in laws concrete floor for a garage we built him years ago, I know how difficult this is but Nigel made it look so easy and it was just a pleasure to see such a great result.

Rafe and Gary and Diannes Xli
Rafe and Gary and Diannes Xli

A good solid breakfast outside of bacon and eggs by Gary and we were set for the day.

Breakfast with the builders. Concrete in the background.
Breakfast with the builders. Concrete in the background.

The schedule for today is for a nosey around Taupo then off to Napier for the Art Deco week.

Classic Boating

The Show must go on

1 Comment

After the torrential rain on Saturday morning, the organisers of the Rotoiti Classic boats decided to postpone it until Sunday.

We left the camp early and after a quick breakfast, we took Rafe around to the top of the “viewing platform” which is a park and parking area just along the road from Okere Falls Store.

Rotoiti
Rafe overseeing things

As a lot of my last years images were in the Rotoiti Classic Boat Associations 2016 calendar, we were welcomed by commodore Grant and past commodore Fraser down by the water and offered several options to help with pictures.

The crowd enjoying the Parade. Commentary boat on the right
The crowd enjoying the Parade. Commentary boat on the right

Alan took his from the back of the commentary boat which is where I took mine from last year but I set up my nice comfy deck chair and sat right by the waters edge and shot from there.

Rotoiti
During the parade

Several hundred people materialised from everywhere quite quickly and made themselves comfortable on the grass.

Rotoiti

At 10:30, the whistle sounded and the first boats started the parade. From Rowing boats right through to big launches. All meticulously maintained and most with oodles of history.

As always, click on the images to see them in hi res and the slideshow below. 

A great spectacle. A nice weekend.

After the parade finished, the boats all headed over to the other side of the lake and enjoyed their annual picnic on the beach.
We headed for home after stopping briefly at Tirau for lunch.

Quirky things

Gypsy Extravaganza

On our way to Wenderholm for a night, we stumbled across the Gypsy Extravaganza that was just packing up to leave the Orewa Beach park.

Click on the Gallery below to see an enlarged slideshow.

Unfortunately some had already left before I took these piccies but what a neat collection of vehicles.

Coromandel 2016

The Pauanui Club

3 Comments

A shocking Friday’s weather left me thinking that Fiona might not be too keen to drive down to Thames after she’d finished work at 6pm.

The plan was for her to drive down to Thames, park the car at Thames and we’d go to Pauanui in Rafe to catch up with the Grandkids. She had to be back at work on Monday as the holiday period meant standing in for people away.

The rain was just relentless and although it was supposed to be finishing around 5-6 pm, one can never tell with weather forecasts!
The rain slowed around 4pm and the roads all started to dry out.
Around 8:15 odd, she arrived in Thames and we settled down for some Tv.
Saturday, the weather was looking much brighter so I parked the car and we were off to Pauanui in Rafe.

Pauanui beach
Pauanui beach

The trip through to Pauanui is virtually up, then down the other side and you end up in Pauanui or Tairua.
We stayed in an amazing ground run by the Pauanui Club. Excellent value and lovely people to deal with. For $8 a night, 4 big areas to park plus power and access to toilets and a cold shower. You also get membership of the club for a day which means you can buy a drink or two and get great meals there at reasonable rates. The park is right next to the mini golf course and you can bike ride anywhere so take your bikes.

Rafe at the club park with the mini golf behind
Rafe at the club park with the mini golf behind

When we arrived, we settled Rafe down with the power and opened some vents for fresh air and jumped on the bikes to head down to the water. We arrived just in time to see son Alex and his family trying out their new Christmas Kayak. They tell me they got caught by the wind in a few inches of water in front if a queue of people and youngest grandson Liam (3) shouted out Help at the top of his voice while older grandson Ayden said “get a helicopter”!
Isn’t it funny what kids come up with.

Fiona and Alex walk home with the Kayak
Fiona and Alex walk home with the Kayak

After a nice lunch with the family, we spent a couple of hours at the Pauanui Club and then biked around to my grandchildren where other grandparents, Paul and Mary put on a fantastic Bbq tea.

The next morning, Alex biked around with Liam in a child’s seat and Ayden on his own bike and we all rode into the township “for a treat”!
Pauanui is quite a neat place. There is a airstrip where the houses are built along the side, many with hangers instead of garages, some with both.

A house with a plane outside
A plane takes off from Pauanui airfield.
House hangers
The Pauanui club

The town is completely flat so it’s a neat place to take a bike. Although we were the only Motohome at Pauanui club that night, as we left, two arrived. A fantastic place and I’m sure they be well patronised once the word gets out !

Rafe at the Pauanui Club
Rafe at the Pauanui Club

A lovely place to stay.

Coromandel 2016

The Gold Town

I’ve just spent two great nights in the centre of Thames for free. As I first arrived, I met Dave and Janice, a retired couple from Taranaki who live in their well kitted out Caravan and were lots of fun. We were stuck inside for several hours when the heavens opened and spent it wisely having lots of laughs in their caravan. I met several other Motorhomers there too who wanted to have a look at Rafe and were keen to swap notes. Lots of fun.

Chocker at Danby field
Chocker at Danby field

The park is next to Goldfields shopping centre where there is a Warehouse, Pack N Save, McDonalds a KFC and numerous other smaller shops, everything you need. There are also a brand new toilet block and a playground as well.

Goldfields Shopping centre
Thames
Danby filed from across the road
The famous Brian Boru hotel
Marina
Marina
Shortland Wharf. The boat in the foreground was for sale!

It is one block from the Main Street of Thames, the Famous Brian Boru hotel and only a stroll to the Port of Thames and marina where I’m told is another of NZ’s great Fish and chip shops.
From a year or so ago when the Thames Coromandel district council were banning freedom camping and were being taken to court by the NZ Motorcaravan Association, it is fantastic to see a win win outcome where now, the TCDC are now one of the most proactive and better councils in NZ for providing freedom camping and managing it as well as they do. There are now great parks all over the Coromandel peninsula and it’s fantastic to see them now being enjoyed by self contained Motorhomers from everywhere.

One more tried to sneak in ..
One more tried to sneak in ..

A fabulous park, thank you and well done Thames Coromandel District Council.

Day Trips

Historic place 400m

At Kawakawa bay
At Kawakawa bay

While waking up this morning to another nice sunny day, I thought I should head out to Kawakawa Bay and have a cup of tea while the cockle gatherers were doing their thing. It’s also a bit more interesting that watching small planes come and go  for another day. 💤
There were plenty of gatherers there too, making the most of the weather and getting down to business.

Kawakawa Bay cockle gathers on the go.
Kawakawa Bay cockle gathers on the go.

While there, I met an interesting couple with their newly built Motorhome who were trying to retire after giving their lifelong printing business to their adult children. There was a problem with a machine so they’d been summoned from their break  down by Kaiaua, to sort it out! It was interesting swapping notes on how our respective but similar business’s had changed over the years with technology and changes in the economy.
After an hour or so there, I headed back to Ardmore. As I went through Clevedon, I kept seeing these signs saying “historic place 400m” so decided to check it out.

The warehouse at Clevedon wharf with a ship purpose built for the river.. In the late 1860's. Pic from the sign on the wharf.
The warehouse at Clevedon wharf with a ship purpose built for the river.. In the late 1860’s. Pic from the sign on the wharf.
Clevedon Wharf, the site of he old wharf.
Clevedon Wharf, the site of he old wharf.
Clevedon Bridge
Clevedon Bridge

It turns out that the Wairoa River in Clevedon was quite a bustling place. There were warehouses, a sawmill and several other businesses on both sides of the river. They even towed barges with planes on them during the war from Hobsonville via “Port Clevedon” to hangers in Ardmore. Really interesting.
I had a quick walk around Clevedon before heading back to Ardmore MCA park for the afternoon.

The Main Street of Clevedon
The Main Street of Clevedon
Fiona's favourite shop in Clevedon and Cafe
Fiona’s favourite shop in Clevedon and Cafe

When I returned, I found my next door neighbour in the middle of the grass, under his Toyota Landcruiser doing a lube and oil! A caravanner saving some money. Isn’t it funny what people choose to do on a hot day😎

South Island 2015

It was the ducks fault really !

1 Comment

Fiona was keen for another bike ride so after 2 great nights at Clifton Reserve, we headed into Clive. After the bridge, the bike lane started so we pulled into a driveway and got Fiona’s bike, helmet and basket off the rack and she was off… To Napier.

Fiona riding back to the van from Napier shops
Fiona riding back to the van from Napier shops

I got back in the truck and parked about 3 k’s out from Napier hill at a waterfront park. The bike lane went right last the park so there was a good chance I’d spot Fiona.

Napier beach looking towards Cape Kidnappers
Napier beach looking towards Cape Kidnappers

After about 15 minutes! I caught up with her on my bike and we both headed into town for a cuppa at the Masonic Hotel where we had stayed when we came to Napier two years earlier to buy wee Rafe, the caravan. See Wee Rafe.

Masonic Hotel
Masonic Hotel

After a quick look around the Masonic and the waterfront, we headed back to Rafe along the waterfront. I’d received word that I might have a job in Whitianga the next day. I would know later that day by text. We thought we’d better make our way to Taupo just in case so after a quick trip to the local dump station, we were off.
A couple of hours later after an easy drive along the Napier Taupo road, we arrived in Taupo. Some very good Motorhome friends of ours that live in Taupo had suggested we should consider parking in Ferry road along the waterfront. The wind was still going gangbusters so I was a little hesitant but so that Fiona could walk up to the shops and have a nosey, we stopped.
It was very busy  with more and with more Motorhomes rocking in by the minute.
I got talking with some lovely people from Palmerston North in their newish FB Tracker AutoTrail. After some discussion of where we’d been and what we’d done, I told them the story about how we’d been through upper Moutere valley by Motueka and completely missed all the cheese factories, all the craft shops and all the art shops and how dark Fiona was afterwards. Of course it was the gps’s fault! Just as I was telling the story, there were two ducks on the Taupo waterfront literally ripping each other apart. A girl duck was ripping into a poor bloke duck. She had her beak around his neck at one stage. We were all stunned by the savagery. I said that I thought it was because he hadn’t stopped at enough craft shops. We all cracked up…

The text arrived. The job was on. We needed to meet at Kopu to be picked up to go to Whitianga at 9 am the next morning so we were off to close the gap. We headed for Matamata and I was allowed to get Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner as a treat .. Yippee.

Firth Tower
Firth Tower

We stopped at the Firth Tower. A fantastic spot just out if Matamata. $10 including power.
See our earlier blog on Firth Tower

South Island 2015

History in the Rimutakas

2 Comments

We headed over to Featherston today despite the 100k odd gale warnings and it was quite an interesting trip! Martinborough is down in a basin lower that Featherston so I suspect that protects it against the big blows but once up on the Featherston plain despite heading strait into the wind, it was evil. The Van was all over the place. Slowing down to 65k odd helped but that was all we could do when were exposed in the sides.
We looked for a park so the van wasn’t side on and found the Fell Locomotive Museum right over the road. You could barely stand up in the wind so we thought we’d run for cover into the Museum.

The Fell Shunter
The Fell Shunter

What an interesting place. The steep grades over the Rimutakas ranges were such that they had specially designed Shunters that used a third rail to climb and brake.

A display showing how the centre rail, the one on the left was for the loco to grip onto for traction and braking. The normal rail on the right.
A display showing how the centre rail, the one on the left was for the loco to grip onto for traction and braking. The normal rail on the right.

Apparently, they used to get through a set of 8 brake shoes per loco for each descent and 4 for each brake van each descent! They had a cog driven wheel in each side of the loco of the centre rail that was wound in by the engineer and driven by the steam engine. It was held in by gigantic springs for the extra traction uphill. Apparently it worked really well. Each loco could deal with 3 passenger wagons or 4 freight vans depending on the weight and it was quite common to see 4-5 Shunters per train with passenger carriages and freight in between.

The brake van. The guard used to wind the brakes in on springs so the pads would slow on the centre raised rail.
The brake van. The guard used to wind the brakes in on springs so the pads would slow on the centre raised rail.
Under the loco showing the brakes on the raised rail. There were two huge geared wheels which locked in behind the brakes for uphill traction.
Under the loco showing the brakes on the raised rail. There were two huge geared wheels which locked in behind the brakes for uphill traction.
The drivers cabin
The drivers cabin

We were warmly welcomed by some nice chaps who showed us and explained us how it all worked and then shown to a theatre where we saw an early 1900’s film of the whole system working. Great film. Funny to see all the old clobber that people wore back then and really interesting.
If you’re in Featherston, check it out. At $5 a head it’s well worth the visit.

Another pic of the skippers cabin showing the firebox and other controls.
Another pic of the skippers cabin showing the firebox and other controls.

We visited an unnamed disappointing coffee shop after that, that interestly had its front door facing out of the wind ! Awful coffee and very average cakes.. That’s the first we’ve struck that bad on the whole trip so can’t really complain.

My perfect house, plenty of room, vineyard all around. Just need taps on the end of those vines fir an easy refill of the glass 😎
Back in Martinborough – My perfect house, plenty of room, vineyard all around. Just need taps on the end of those vines for an easy refill of the glass 😎

Given the wind was so bad, we headed back to Martinborough for our last night. Rugby tomorrow morning. All Blacks v France. Just as well I brought the sky card with us. We’ll head to Napier after that.