The Midnight Hour

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Thursday 18th Mrs Dickson has kindly let us use the Family Bach (Holiday Cottage) situated right on the lake in Rotoriti the smaller one of the lakes at Rotorua. After a short motorway journey we were soon in some of the most stunning countryside. We travelled for several hours with Juan Singing and me just taking in the surroundings. The plants that grow here are just enormous. Its something to do with the climate and the very fertile soil, anyway it makes you feel quite small sometimes when you are standing next to a plant that is 9 ft tall and at home it would be 18 inches tall.

We stoped at a traditional town at the Copper Kettle Café in Ngatea where I was treated to my first taste of L&P and a Pie. I am told that this drink is internationally world famous in New Zealand ! all very nice and thirst quenching, we hit the road again. Paeroa where the drink is made took a walk around the park and then moved on. The next thing I knew Martin was stopping that car again, I thought at this rate we will never get there. I am so glad he did though. We climbed a very steep hillside to the see a natural waterfall called Wairere Falls. After a long and seriously hot climb, 50 minutes later we were treated to s most spectacular sight. We rested and paddled in the cool waters of the stream and then made our way on to Rotoriti.

It was nearly dark when we arrived and Martin & Juan’s friends David and Keith were already there. Although it was dark I could tell that this was a special place and could not wait to see it in the daylight. We ate drank and chatted and drank some more the evening ended with a midnight swim in the very warm lake.

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