Our old neighbours from Devonport, Terry and Lisa moved to Wanganui quite a few years ago and lived directly across the road from us for many years. Terry was involved in the bag business for many years, and I photographed his bags for his catalogues, both on film and digital for many years.
My endearing memory of Terry was him on our doorstep in his dressing gown early on the morning of 9/11 getting us up and getting in front of the TV where we remained glued to the set for hours! It was a memorable day.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
Wanganui River
We last caught up with them a few years ago when we popped into Wanganui and had a meal with them at Carolines, a neat Restaurant that used to have an attached camping area which is sadly now closed.
Us parked next to Terry and Lisa’s new house.
Stepping back to the travel…. After leaving Tawhiti, we headed on to Terry and Lisa’s new House in Wanganui and a very fortuitous empty section next door 🙂
Fantastic to see them again and catch up with all our news. They’re a great couple and the meal was fantastic. Their house is really nice and perfect for them with minimal maintenance.
In the morning, Terry took us to show us his Warehouse for his Luggage business.
Lovely old buildings
After we left Terry and Lisa, we went on into Wanganui central to have a quick look at the river before we left via Marton to head for a favourite spot at Mangaweka on our trek home.
The tram rumbling by on the waterfront
Thanks again for having us for tea and it was lovely to see you in your new house.
Rafe’s tracker map to Tawhiti Museum and onto Wanganui – Armada GPS
This is an amazing place setup by Nigel Ogle in an old disused Dairy Factory on the outskirts of Hawera.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
One of the smaller Diorama’s in the Cafe
Nigel has put this together from scratch including making all the characters and models and the attention to detail is absolutely stunning.
It is split into several sections and the last time we were here, we only had time to do one section (several hours). This time we were going to try one of the ones we missed last time, being the Traders and Whalers.
Click on the Gallery below to see an Enlarged Slideshow
In the mower section
The shop
After parking and checking in, we set off to the Traders and Whalers section where we guided through some fairly dimly lit tunnels with some amazing life-sized dioramas with hugely detailed people with flax, rifles, boats and everything to do with early NZ.
Parking area
We were then led to a big underground cave like area with a moat and a 20 odd person boat. With some others, we got into it and were taken through an amazing area of sound, light and more life-sized dioramas of early New Zealand showing early Maoris trading flax and Muskets with settlers. So well done. I believe it was a collaborative effort with Weta Workshop, so I wasn’t able to photograph any of it. Just amazing and a must see.
Trading
After that we went through to see some smaller displays of early whaling and trading then onto the Cafe for a really nice coffee. They have an amazing selection of traditional cakes, and we chose a couple of beauties.
In the Tractor area
Across the road is very easy Motorhome parking on a big patch of grass next to the car parking.
As I said a must see if you’re in the area.
Rafe’s tracker map to Tawhiti Museum and onto Wanganui – Armada GPS
Well, the wind blew, and the spray went everywhere but it was a great sight, seeing the Tugs come roaring down the harbour and then the Launches with their display.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
Sterling leading the Tugs. Sterling is a quick boat. It has won many Classic boat races.
There weren’t the numbers we’ve seen in the past, but it was still a good show.
The tugs were led by Sterling which has won many classic boat races. Te Hauraki was in the hunt too until it retired by the container terminal.
My Girl leading the charge of the LaunchesMy Girl heading back to the finish with other Launches behind.
Jason Prew led the Launches in My Girl and several others followed on behind, kicking up the spay as they went.
The pictures below tell the story.
Check out the Galleries below by clicking on them.
The Tugs Race.
Sterling leading the Tugs. Sterling is a quick boat. It has won many Classic boat races.
One of my all-time favourite park over properties in the North Island is Kevin and Lynda’s Ninia. I came here about 18 months ago for the first time and spent a few days here and it was fantastic.
Click on any image to enlarge
The evening’s entertainment in full swing
Kev and Lynda are Country Music specialists, and both have great voices so it was a given that some stage, they would appear, and the music would happen.
Lynda on the rightA happy looking Kevin on his bike.
There are 8 or so powered sites along with a big, newly extended happy shed and all the parking areas are well protected from the wind by huge sheltering hedges. The NZMCA dump station is just around the corner as is water so it’s all here.
The Powered sites with the happy hour shed in the distance.
Fiona and I dropped in pretty much unannounced after a brief phone conversation with Kevin to say there was a hole that we could park in, so we were on our way.
We were met by Mike the friendly caretaker who I met when I was here last time who has his own amazing electric bike with massive grass tyres.. perfect for the job and Mike squeezed us into a nice, protected corner close to the happy hour shed and a hole through the hedge to the stage. Perfect!
Click on the Gallery below to enlarge
Mike on his amazing Bike.
Us in our wee corner. Behind us was a walkway/tunnel through the hedge to the Happer hour shed on the other side.
The extra Caravan area
On the way to the concert
A hole in the hedge
People enjoying the afternoon music.
Lynda on the right
Nice to see the sun in the morning
New Years Eve was going to be fun, and we were looking forward to it. Kevin and Lynda’s team had set up a Marquee to protect against inclement weather that was forecast but as it turned out, they were just the odd shower and people still got out and danced the night away.
There were various singers and musicians who appeared from Motorhomes and Caravans and had turns on the stage so it an interesting mix of talent with both Kevin and Lynda also getting involved.
Having fun with the audience behind.
A great night, fantastic fun and we all woke up to a lovely sunny morning to dry out the grounds.
A truly fantastic place to stay and there are always good sounds coming out from that stage on most weekends.
Rafe’s tracker map to Ninia for the New Years Eve concert – Armada GPS
As we left Mokau, we were invited along with Steve and Rosemary to stay at Greg and Shona’s place in New Plymouth. They are also part of the Dethleffs Owners team and Graeme and Shirley were going to be there too.
Us on the left in front, Steve and Rosemary’s Esprit GT behind and to the right, Greg and Shona’s Advantage.
I was a wee bit nervous after repairing part of my Chassis at the back which gets scraped occasionally on high forecourts and driveways as there was a huge camber at the end of the driveway, but no damage was done 🙂
It was lovely to catch up with Greg and Shona and it was very kind of them to put us all up in their driveway with power too! We had a fantastic dinner together and a lovely night in the driveway.
In the morning we all set off in different directions. Fiona and I set off to New Plymouth city to see the famous Len Lye Gallery and have some lunch and Fiona was keen to see some shops 🙂
The Len Lye centre with the White Swan behind.
Our next destination was all about New Years eve 🙂
The reflection of the White Swan hotel in the Len Lye centre
Thanks again guys for having us in your driveway and thanks for a great night. It was great to see Graeme and Shirley again too.
In mid 2014, as Caravan owners, we saw our perfect motorhome. It was out in Howick with a whole heap of other Dethleffs behind a church. Jonas and his wife Irene were bringing them into New Zealand and selling them from the carpark behind his church.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
On the lot .. Madam with Rafe when we were first looking.
To cut a long story short, we bought the van, and it was sent off to Silverdale to be prepared for us.
The Showroom
I can remember how scary it was driving this home to Devonport for the first time, through the rush hour traffic back to Devonport. That was nearly 10 years ago !
The other day, I met up with Jonas and Irene to see their brand-new Sales building in Pokeno next to their current building which will be their service centre.
From the back with the extra Storage
It is HUGE. There is also a big yard behind the building for more storage of Motorhomes.
The current building with the new building on the right
They’ve come a long way over the last nearly 10 years and you have to take your hat off to them for doing so well. They now have a lot more brands and to build them all from scratch in New Zealand is no mean feat.
Congratulations on the new building and Well Done!
What an exciting day for Tony and Fiona. After two and a half years, the handover of their new Motorhome and its HUGE!
Click on any Image to Enlarge
The Morelo Palace behind for comparison
After several trips to the factory in Germany over the last 2 years and lots of research, it has finally happened. As Tony says, “When he was filling in the options form, the pen didn’t want to stop”, so as Tony says, “Its fully pimped “!
The new beast
It is 10 metres long, 4 meters high. Carries 500 litres of fresh water and 240 litres of both black and grey water. It is on a Mercedes Actros Chassis with a 400HP, 7 litre 6-cylinder motor with a 12-speed gearbox.
The “Stairway to Heaven “
There was an option to have the drive in the boot storage for a small vehicle but as Tony said, he could make better use of the space as a bigger garage and get more locker space outside by putting the electrics where the car would go.
Huge living and entertaining space.
It is like a footie field inside with a higher than most Motorhomes stud height, slightly wider than your average bear and of course the length.
The Galley
They had a Morelo Palace before this and there was one parked in front of it at the Zion yard and you can definitely see the difference next to the Empire Liner. When they bought their Palace, the Empire liners weren’t available in a form that was acceptable by NZ Transport, but several rules changed in the last few years.
Centre Island Bed
I’m really pleased for them as they have been through numerous delays due to Covid and shipping/parts delays and its finally here and it is exactly what they wanted.
A wee break from a motorhomes but this was a special event 🙂
We’re due to go away again soon 🙂
The sun was shining and there was an Art Show on at Fort Cautley which is the old Army base above Narrow Neck beach.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
Great tree
It was a sculpture exhibition and is its first time back after a 5 year break due to Covid with the proceeds were going to Womens Refuge.
This got some attention.
I was quite looking forward to this as it was the first time the historic fort buildings and gun emplacements were being used as part of the exhibition.
Part of the Historic Fortifications
There were some nice pieces. The Lady lifting the rock got plenty of interest.
Click on the Gallery below to see the show
Liam with his Dog
A Kaleidescope of plants
Part of the Historic Fortifications
In the Fort cd’s
Secondary school art
3 little pigs
Neat Dolls house
The Giant Whale Tail with the view
Rotating Blocks
There was a giant whale’s tail, and it was nice the way the old gun emplacement was decorated with coloured petals. Grandson Liam took a shine to the bronze dog just inside the entrance.
The coloured petals by the Gun
There was some really interesting stuff here and it was well worth the walk in the sun. The view next door couldn’t be beaten either 🙂
First were the coffee carts who must have done a roaring trade both strategically parked at each end of the park and fantastic coffee too.
Click on any Image to enlarge
Popular on Saturday morning
Then came tossing the Gumboot, Throwing the Hammer and throwing the Caber.
Throwing the GumbootThe CaberThrowing the Hammer
There was a 50-minute walk in 5 minutes and also some egg throwing too… 🙂
The walk
A lot of fun and in perfect sunshine. The Motorhomes parked around the grounds got their chairs out and watched in comfort with their morning teas and biscuits 🙂
The GrandstandThe Grandstand for the games
After this the Hamilton Pipe Band came on with the pipes and drums which sounded amazing. You can’t beat a good pipe band.
Hamilton Pipe BandHamilton Pipe BandHamilton Pipe Band
The games carried on then we had the ceremonial entrance of the Haggis lead by one of the senior pipers and with Chairman of the NZMCA Waikato group carrying the Haggis with the Whiskey following behind.
The Haggis being piped in.Michael with the Haggis
I’ve never tried Haggis before but it’s really nice and found myself partaking when I was offered seconds 🙂 Must be the McLean blood in me!
In the afternoon there was a jazz group called the Flaming Mudcats on the stage which I popped over to check out. They were really good with a chap on the double bass.
Check out all those Motorhomes
In the evening, it was back in the hall for another band called Landslide, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band where we sat with our Dethleff Friends from the group. Nice to see them again.
Saturday night with Landslide
After a lie in on the Sunday morning after the rugby, Fiona went for another walk into town while I chatted to our Dairy Farmer neighbours from Rotorua, Tony and Teresa. There were a lot of discussions about the rugby and that Brit in the bunker 🙂 as you can imagine.
Click on the Gallery below for an enlarged slideshow
Hamilton Pipe Band
Hamilton Pipe Band
Hamilton Pipe Band
Hamilton Pipe Band
Hamilton Pipe Band
The Haggis
The Caber
Throwing the Gumboot
Throwing the Hammer
The walk
Throwing the Gumboot
Neal with his Highland gear 🙂
Harmonic Resonators on the Sunday night.
During the afternoon, there was an Accordion player, Annie Gong with come music sounds that she had made and versions of some well know songs, which sounded like a whole orchestra. It was well done. There were also raffles being held backed by NZMCA sponsors and others.
Harmonic Resonators on the Sunday night.
That night there was another band called The Harmonic Resonators which was essentially a family group which did some great harmonic singing. Think Crosby Stills and Nash but with some Te Reo as well along with lots of old favourites. They were fantastic and had great voices. Everyone in the hall were there to the end with a standing ovation. 🙂
Click on this to enlarge!
700 Motorhomes! see if you can find yours!
The weather was really starting to deteriorate with wind coming in but to a large degree, we were sheltered by Mt Te Aroha. The wind was coming around it though but that changed it to a south easterly which worked well as we were all parked pointing to the south. Over Sunday night, it blew dogs off chains, and we rocked and rolled. Some left later on Sunday to avoid the forecasted gloom 🙂
I was just pleased that the ground was so well prepared so there was little chance of getting stuck.
We were going to go over to the hall again for the final farewells and raffle results, but the weather was awful, so we decided to take advantage of a spell in the rain and head for the gate before the rush. Once we got to Ngatea, we refueled, emptied tanks and had a cup of tea.
The whiskey tradition.
Thanks for a fantastic weekend, great entertainment and as I said at the beginning, very well organised and we’re looking forward to the next one. 🙂
Rafe’s tracker map to the Te Aroha Romp – Armada GPS
After the huge success of the Tokoroa Timber town Romp over several years, the move to Te Aroha was only going to be better. Michael, Des and the team from the Waikato NZMCA committee have well and truly done a fantastic job over the years and I was really looking forward to it.
Click on any Image to Enlarge
Sheltered by the Mountain
It was explained to everyone at the beginning that the show was only on with some strict rules from the council due to their sensitivity of have nearly 700 Motorhomes, Caravans and Buses parked on and around their footy ground. It probably didn’t help that some rain arrived on the morning before the parking got underway but the parkers did an excellent job getting Motorhomes and Caravans to vary the route through to the parks so there weren’t great big tracks created.
Rafe with the soccer field behind
We were parked in the middle between the soccer and rugby grounds on some very solid and what felt like well drained ground which I was pleased about as there were some dire predictions of what was to come towards the end of the weekend.
Ready for the Rugby
The event went from Friday through to Monday with the weather packing up on the Sunday night. Many people left before the weather deteriorated on Sunday.
The parkers heading for a beer after a busy Friday
After parking Rafe, we opened vents and then went for a walk into Te Aroha across conveniently walkway across the river. The first port of call was a cafe for a coffee and a scone and then Fiona walked further on to have a look at the shops.
One of a few sculptures in the street
We’ve been here several times before to a Waikato rally and for a look at the town. It’s a lovely spot. Check out these links.
After heading back to the park, I went for a walk around and bumped into old friends Tim and Pam who I haven’t seen for years. Tim and Pam were involved with the Classic Boats on Rotoiti, and we used to catch up every year down there when I was involved with the Classic Yacht Association. Great to see them.
Click on the Gallery below to see the Concert enlarged.
One of the sights
Ready for the Rugby
The White Goat band Friday Night
The White Goat band Friday Night
The White Goat band Friday Night
The White Goat band Friday Night
The White Goat band Friday Night
Dancing between the tables Friday night
Dancing between the tables Friday night
Dancing while sitting 🙂
Dancing between the tables Friday night
Great to see a good number of our Dethleffs Group here with their Motorhomes and having fun. I also caught up with Neal who with his team have parked all vehicles for years on these rallies and is stepping down from the role this year. He’s a real gem and a great character.
Neal with his Highland gear 🙂
Later on Fiona and I headed over to the Hall with some lubricant and settled down for a great night with a band called the White Goat band.
They were fantastic doing all the old favourites that everyone knew. Most were up dancing all night and were there until it finished.
Dancing between the tables Friday nightThe White Goat band Friday NightThe White Goat band Friday Night
A great night and we still had the Highland Games to come the next day ! Next post 🙂
Rafe’s tracker map to the Te Aroha Romp – 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.
Bugger It, we are off - www.buggeritweareoff.com 
You must be logged in to post a comment.