19
March – Drove thru to the NZMCA park at Parnassus and met up with
Lynne and Paul who had been at the Blues and Jazz festival at Oamaru.
Watched the Sail GP in their van as our satellite dish has stopped
going up!!
20
March – Drove thru to Koromiko POP park with a stop at Kaikoura for
“Sea Legs and a lunch stop near ‘Nins Bins’. Sat outside until
strong winds drove us in. Rain and strong winds in the night with a
bad forecast for our sailing tomorrow.
21
March – A 5:15am alarm and lined up at the Bluebridge terminal at
6:00 for breakfast in our vans. A text to say we were on delay.
Eventually loaded at 9:00 and sailed at 10:00. Amazingly we sailed
between the N/W and the strong S/E winds and had a smooth sailing.
Waste of the SeaLegs!! Drove thru to the NZMCA park at Plimmerton and
got some of the last spots.
22
March – Many people moaning this morning as last night’s and
today’s sailings were all cancelled due to 5-6mt swells. We were
very lucky! Drove around the Pauatanui Inlet, over Haywards Hill,
thru Upper Hutt, and over the Remutakas to Featherston for a short
stop. We drove down the west side of Lake Wairarapa to Lake Ferry.
Our plan had been to visit Cape Palliser, but the road was closed due
to last night’s S/E storm. Checked into the small Lake Ferry camp
and walked to the sea in strong winds and a huge surf. A drink at the
local pub before returning to the camp.
23
March – We drove north (only way to go!!) and stopped at
Martinborough continuing on to the quirky Greytown camp with its
covered wagons. We walked into the town with its many yuppy shops.
Seems to have taken over Martinborough as the place to be. Lunch in a
nice cafe. Pre-drinks outside.
24
March - Drove to Castle Point stopping at Carterton to dump and
fuel. Parked at the free park at the lighthouse for the night. Walked
up to the lighthouse and went for a longer walk above Deliverance
Cove and back along the beach. We found a sheltered spot in the
sandhills for a read.
25
March – Beautiful colours projected onto the lighthouse last night.
We drove to another park nearer the camping ground and walked the
beach in a stiff breeze. Back on the road to Masterton with lots of
washouts and slips courtesy of Gabrielle. We parked at a free area
beside the lovely Henley Lake. Many ducks, swans and geese around. A
couple of nice walks around the lake. A great spot to overnight.
26
March – Dragon boat paddlers on the lake this morning for breakfast
outside. Into the CBD of Masteron for a shop before driving down the
main street. Back on the road north stopping at Mt Bruce Wildlife
Centre where Lynne and Paul saw their first Kiwis. Not many other
birds spied. On to Mangatainoka and the Tui Brewery with its iconic
building. Camped in a free area opposite the brewery and crossed the
road for a beer later in the afternoon.
27
March – Drove to Woodville aiming for Palmerston North. The
Manawatu Gorge is closed and, to our surprise, the Saddle Road was
also closed, the only alternative being the Pahiatua Track. A good
road, despite its name, passing many wind turbines. We found a park
and walked into the CBD and around the square. When we tried to book
into our camp the office was closed for lunch. Eventually they booked
us in and we walked passed the model railway, the aviaries, and back
along the Manawatu River track. Walked to a beautifully lit
pedestrian bridge when it was dark.
28
March – Drove to Wanganui stopping at Ratana to visit the church
and Pa. At Wanganui we were to camp in a free area on the river bank
but did not like the look of our fellow campers. We eventually found
another free area close to the main street, very tidy and secure. It
was only a short walk to Victoria St, the main shopping area. Many
more shops than we thought there would be. Back to our camp via Cooks
Gardens (Peter Snell sub 4 minute mile) and the river. Rain set in at
night.
29
March – Rain and wind for our drive to Patea. After lunch the rain
stopped but the southerly was horrendous as we walked down to the
harbour at the river mouth, being sand-blasted on the way. Following
the track up the river was more pleasant. Years
ago this was a very busy and important port exporting
meat and bringing passengers to this area from Wellington.
30
March – We drove thru to Opunake with a detour down the main street
of Hawera and found a great free spot on the cliff tops overlooking
the ocean. A beautiful calm day. In the afternoon we walked the cliff
top track ending at Opunake beach. Back via the town for an
ice-cream. A great sunset over the ocean.
31
March – The last leg of our journey around Mt Taranaki to New
Plymouth. We pre-booked an expensive camp overlooking the Tasman Sea
and the harbour. Lynne and Paul took their camper to the Fiat agent
to get the computor reset while Val and I biked the waterfront track
passed the city, Fiztroy Beach and on to the Te Rewa Rewa bridge.
Unfortunately covered in scaffold, so we missed the iconic view of
the Mountain thru the bridge. In the early evening we walked back to
the town and had a drink at a pub. A lovely warm evening.
1
April – Still warm but a strong northerly wind. Rain set in at
around 10:00am. We are staying here tonight.
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