Blogs from Dargaville, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania
November 11th 2011
Today I had a day off work to go to the Horse Racing at Dargaville. It didn't start until 1230, so Leigh and I went for a swim first, then a coffee at Esquires to read the paper, then food shopping at New World! We came home to unload the shopping, hang the washing out and make a picnic! There were a lot or roadworks on the way, so we just got there in time to watch the first race but not to place any bets!! We had a lovely afternoon but did not win anything!! Here are a couple of photos...... read more
Heading south....and paying respect to the mighty Kauri trees
Published: April 16th 2011Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Dargaville
April 16th 2011
April 16, 2011: Hmmm……a very, very cloudy day, rains had moved in overnight, and the sea was in a huge turmoil, thrashing about like some wounded monster trying to claw it’s way up onto the shore….and not having any success. Anticipating rain, we were concerned about our viewing plans for the day. Sooo, after a quick breakfast on the rear patio…..we finished gathering our things and loaded the car. We soon were driving down the highway….heading south through the misty grayness of the morning. We arrived just before 10AM…..just barely in time to catch the ferry which runs on the hour…..and drove right onto the small open ferry. Needing to cross the large bay in order to get to the forest where we wanted to take some walks to see the large Kouri Trees. After a ... read more
March 22nd 2011
Early start but daqm sore body. My arse kills and a very tender hamstring. Im gunna have to get a new bike seat ASAP. Ive desided on a short day today to try and recover. i got about 50k then got to Dargaville then had to stop at backpacks were sore as. I got the whole backpackers to me self and it was a nice place as well. The owner told me of a german couple who went up the west coast then cam back 2 days later. They just couldnt do all the hills and they were a fit couple. They waited at a train station for 4 hours then worked out that the train station no longer works. But the bottom line, they couldnt do it. This coast is gunna be interestiong. Im gunna ... read more
Caves, Hobbits, and Country
Published: October 14th 2010Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Dargaville
October 14th 2010
The next day we headed north a little more and spent the night at a beautiful place right on a river. We were able to camp there for free in the vehicle. We got our chairs out and made supper by the water. I took pics of the sunset and Tyler read his book. That night I was paranoid. The place was great but it was out of the way and I thought a creepy old man was going to come by and kill us. Don’t ask me why. LOL! The next day we headed on the road, no creepy man came by that night. We realized we were close to Hobbiton (the place they filmed lord of the rings, the shire and hobbit houses) we had to go on a tour! From what we have ... read more
[h2] CYCLE TOUR - PRESSURE POINTS & TOUGH NUTS [h2]
Published: October 21st 2009Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Dargaville
October 21st 2009
Dargaville Dear Lance (not his real name), Afer a few days on the road, I figured perhaps it was time to drop you a line to update you about my travels and let you know how I am getting on - and in particular that part of my anatomy that we discussed a few weeks ago. I'm sure you remember the conversation but if you've forgotten, it took place it the newsroom when you took me aside and explained how, many years ago, you cycled from Invercargill to Dunedin. Glancing over your shoulder to check that no-one could overhear, you said that during the ride you'd got the usual aches and pains, especially a sore backside. You dropped your voice to a conspiratorial whisper and went on. Excuse my language but I'm only repeating you here, ... read more
Katy and Brett's wedding 14 March 2009
Published: March 24th 2009Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Dargaville
March 23rd 2009
On 14 March we went up to the Hokianga, a beautiful region about 4 hours north of Auckland, to attend Katy and Brett's wedding. We had a wonderful weekend - it was a beautiful wedding set right in the heart of this beautiful and unspoilt region of NZ. The wedding venue was on the waterfront of the Hokianga Harbour and the sun came out just in time for the big event. And best of all, most of our extended family were able to be there to celebrate with the happy couple! We would like to share our photos with other wedding guests, so if you would like copies of any of the photos FOR PRIVATE USE ONLY, please feel free to download direct from this site. Or we can send you electronic copies by email. NOTE ... read more
Dargaville Dec 16-22nd
Published: December 29th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » DargavilleDecember 16th 2008
Dec 16th-19th Katrina ( former colleague at Brinsworth now teaching in Dargaville) picked us up from our motel- we went to Whaitangi where a famous treaty was signed and saw a large canoe! We then drove to DArgaville which was about an hour and a half away. The next day we went to the Kauri forest and to the 14 mile Baylys beach- really amazing. It made a nice change to stay in someone's home. On the 19th we caught the bus back to Auckland where we stayed one night before catching the bus to Mt Manganui. Dec 20th- 22nd Mt Manganui was very impressive - we climbed to the top and enjoyed the views. We also walked around the base- and then I ran around - about 5k in 34mins which I was pleased with. ... read more
December 13th 2008
Somewhere North of Dargaville in Trounson Kauri Park December 11, 2008 We were up early but had to hang around Coromandel town until the Coromandel Smoking Company opened so we could buy smoked mussels (incredibly delicious and addicting) for me and three different kinds of smoked fish for the both of us. It was inexpensive and now we wish we had bought more. The numerous pohutukawa trees on Coromandel Peninsula are starting to bloom and the deep red blossoms are beautiful to see. The pohutukawa is called the NZ Christmas tree for obvious reasons. We stopped again near Miranda at the Shore Bird Center (this time the guy greeted us with our names) to see if there were any new migrants lurking around. There were none, but Joe bought a hat and we chatted a bit. ... read more
Is coming home is coming home Romi is coming home/ Slava nazdar vyletu vyletu vyletu...budu doma budu tam
Published: November 23rd 2008Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Dargaville
November 23rd 2008
Hiya Guys just to let you know I am coming home, will be leaving NZ on the 08/12 going to Fiji and then arriving to Heathrow on the 18/12 am, hurray. Most of you might thing I am crazy to come home this time of the year if I could stay in NZ for their summer, but hey i do tent to do things the different way. Or maybe I am just coming in the right time, so you can all buy me xmas presents... lol... kidding.. Anyway see you soon... Love Romi Ahojte lidicky jen aby jste vedeli jedu domu, odjizdim z Noveho Zelandu 08.12. na Fiji, prijizdim na Heathrow 18.12. rano, huraaa. Vetsina si asi mysli, ze jsem prastena odjizdet z tepleho klimatu do studene Anglie, ale ja vetsinou delam veci neobvykle, jinak nez ... read more
November 14th 2008
Today Leigh and I took the day off work to go to the races at Dargaville! It was a hot sunny day and we really enjoyed ourselves - we met Jo and Sean there and also Mum and Dad - we had a picnic and did lots of betting! Mum won two races - 19 to 1 and 17 to 1 - a total of 170 dollars. I came second in one race - only $26. After a nice ice cream we headed home!... read more
