As I mentioned in my previous blog, we had spent a few days at our new happy place Ramp Road on the Karikari peninsula. Now it was time to continue the trip north. With the chance to explore some of the more remote parts of the tip of the country. Our friends John and Gaylene… Read More Te Pua Reserve – Remote Northland
During our recent trip North, we again ran into Bill McMurray who we had met at Bland Bay back in August. Bill is one of the many “solo” travellers that you may encounter on the road here in New Zealand. Although in Bill’s case, he is accompanied by his gorgeous Border Collie, Abbie. Not long after we… Read More Are you lonesome tonight?
Earlier this year, I underwent another biopsy for my recurrent lymphoma. This involved chest surgery removing part of one rib to access the enlarged lymph node. After surgery and a suitable recovery period, we headed away to what we now know as the recovery ward aka Ramp Road, freedom camping. Sadly during winter, I developed… Read More Well That’s A Neat Party Trick
On our most recent trip, North, Sarah and I had the usual laughs making excuses why people don’t wave back. Are they so busy concentrating on the road that they simply didn’t see us? Maybe their hands have become mysteriously glued to the steering wheel? Perhaps they are in one of the private rentals, and… Read More Who are you waving at?
During the time we were in Taupo we were debating about going left or right. Left to Napier – Hastings or right to Whanganui. In the end, we chose left, giving us the chance to catch up with some fellow motorhomers who we hadn’t seen since earlier this year. It also allowed Sarah to visit… Read More Te Awanga – A Popular Spot
Leaving the National Equestrian Centre we had timed it so that we could watch the opening of the dam at Aratiatia for those that don’t know every day at 10, 12 and 2 the dam gates are opened releasing 80,000 litres of water a second. So for the 15 minutes, they are open 72 million… Read More Return to 5 Mile Bay – Taupo
A corny joke told hundreds of times already but one that’s rather apt for the Hamilton Motorhome Show. Although my van is silver, not white and also not in this photo. We have been to the show for the last two years, but this year Sarah had decided that since we weren’t buying a new… Read More I’m Over There In The White Fiat!
Heading away on these shorter trips over winter/early spring, we always try and look at the long-range forecast to see what the weather is going to do. This time it was showing a relatively sizeable low appearing to be parked over Northland that helped us make the decision to head south on this trip. Each… Read More Taupo -Ride on in here
In a couple of weeks, the annual NZMCA motorhome show will roll around in Hamilton giving thousands of people including us the chance to spend up to 3 days wandering around looking at the latest offerings from several different companies. This brings with it the prospect of sore feet after many hours trudging round on… Read More Surviving the Motorhome Show Part 2
Just a few km’s back down the road from Elliot Bay is the turnoff to Bland Bay and our usual go-to destination Puriri Bay the DOC camp at the end of the road. This time however without a DOC pass the thought of paying $15 per person per night to park on a bit of… Read More The Beauty of Bland Bay