Heading for Home

We spent a very windy uncomfortable night at a reserve at Matarangi with the wind at gale force howling thru the trees and rocking the camper.

We drove thru the beach area and parked in a sheltered spot at Kuaotunu. What a relief to be out of the wind. At Whitianga we shopped and then drove back to Simpson’s Beach where we stopped at a park on the original Simpson property at one end of the beach, with a nice view towards Buffalo and Cook’s Beaches. The sun came out briefly and we walked the beach.

Back into Whitianga where we walked around the waterfront and the town before heading around to Hahei Beach. It was a lovely sunny day so we sat on the beach for an hour.

In the afternoon, we walked the track to Cathedral Cove. Very picturesque. A short drive to Hot Water Beach and after checking into the camp we set off in bathing togs with a spade for the beach. There was quite a crowd, all lying in their pools dug in the sand.

It was like Goldilocks, our first attempt at a pool was too hot, our second was too cold but our last was just right! Quite an experience. Back at camp Val did the laundry.

We drove to Tairua for a look at the beach and the harbour and then around the harbour to Pauanui where we found a free camping area facing the beach. After lunch we biked thru the town and onto a cycleway along the harbour and thru the mangroves to Duck Creek. We explored a bit more of the town with its waterways and private airport. Most of the luxurious houses are abandoned as they are holiday homes. A very strange atmosphere.

Another sunny morning so we walked a couple of tracks at this end of the beach before heading off on the hilly windy road to Whangamata. We parked by the beach and walked into the town which was very busy with cafes and shops doing a great trade, quite a contrast to Pauanui. As we got closer to Tauranga it started to rain and we got wet filling with cheap Gull diesel (97c/l) and shopping for a barbeque tomorrow. Back at Lynne and Gary’s, we had pizza for tea and watched the Maoris v Lions.

Up early to watch Team NZ get two wins for the Americas Cup.

I washed Joy before Glen, Tania, Sophie and Isla arrived. I barbequed lunch outside in the cool weather. Lynne had made salad and scalloped potatoes, and a great lemon cake. We had a great lunch. When the kids left, we all read and dozed. Left-overs for tea.

Another early start and two more America Cup wins before we left Gibson Place for the last time and drove thru Te Puke, Rotorua, Taupo and stopped on the Desert Road with a view of Mt Ruapehu and lunch. We continued on thru Waiouru and Taihape and stayed at a little camp in the Mangaweka Gorge, a great little place.

We drove south towards Wellington and stopped for lunch on the Paraparaumu foreshore. Our overnight stop was at the NZMCA park at Plimmerton. As we will catch the train tomorrow we recceed the short walk to the station. To my surprise there was a model train shop at the station.

Back to the station for “Winnies” 9:30am free train into Wellington. We walked along the foreshore to Te Papa where we visited the Gallipoli Exhibition. It was a great thing with huge models of various soldiers (2 ½ x size), great exhibits and fantastic depictions of the Gallipoli campaign. The only complaint was the number of small children there. Should have had an R8 rating. We walked up to the War Memorial and also enjoyed the Great War Exhibition. Quite different but equally as moving. Back on “Winnies” free train home before our 3:00pm curfew.

A really early start driving to the ferry. We left Plimmerton at 6:00am for a 7:00 check-in with breakfast on the wharf. Unfortunately, the ferry was delayed and we did not sail until 9:30am. We drove thru to Murchison and stayed in the NZMCA park. The forecast was not great with snow possible on the Lewis Pass tomorrow.

A mild morning (no frost, thank goodness) and an easy run over the pass. The rain set in on the Canterbury side. We arrived home at 2:00pm to a freezing cold house and a Sky decoder malfunctioning. Everything else was great and our neighbour had done a great job mowing our lawns. A great holiday with excellent weather.