Blogs from North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 26

9th December Woke up early, 6ish, feeling very hot the van was like an oven, the rising Sun was shining through the gap in the curtains. Flung open The doors and snoozed whilst listening to the local birds, although I was not very impressed with the magpie stomping around on the van roof. I dozed until 7.30ish when I started to hear other people wandering around. Tea and toast for breakfast. Quick shower and dressed and wanders over to reception to book another night. Hand washed a few clothes, washed up, stashed my food in the fridge and had a well deserved cuppa. I might have to ration the tea, only got a dozen tea bags left to last me til the 11th. Also almost out of milk. I walked along the coastal path towards town ... read more

8th December No idea what time I woke up. Tea and egg sandwich for breakfast. Away from the site by 9.30 ish, set sat nav for a place called Thames, with a view of find a walk an route. Just before I got to Thames I saw a sign for Kauaeranga Valley, so ignored sat nav and followed the signs. I was also long for a cafe as I need caffeine, but I was soon out in the sticks and realized there was no chance of a cafe, all my hopes pinned on the visitor centre. No cafe at the visitor centre. Oh no! I had a look around all the maps and the walks were all pretty serious, any thing from 6 to 7 hrs to 4 or 5 days. I was seriously out of ... read more

15 to 18 November Time is running out for Jenny’s Visit and we are grateful to Maree and Paul, who we met in Cambodia last year, for entertaining us and showing us the delights of Whakatane and Bay of Plentry. Breakfasting on poached eggs fresh from their chooks we set off with Maree and explored the town and harbour of Whakatane ( for those who aren't in the know a WH is pronounced like FF) ...the sun was shining as we whizzed around visiting Ohope, Opoktiki with their delightful small museums and a newly built Maori community centre. And all the time stunning scenery , coastline , spits, beaches hills and mountains . Don’t we just love all the place names and trying to pronounce them !! Lots of places begin with Wai which means water ... read more

5th December. Woke up to the sound of traffic instead of the sky d of the sea. This campground was pretty much in the middle of the city. As there was no waves or view to distract me I was away fairly quickly, not before deciding on a campsite for tonight, tonight I will be staying in Cambridge. I left the campground at 8.45ish straight into rush our traffic. I was headed to Sanctuary Mountain as planned, I got there just before 10. I looked at the map in the visitor centre and I planned the 90 minute walk. I spoke to the girl on the counter who told me the paths were well defined and no steep slopes. I had a hot chocolate and biscuit before I set off. Typical, it started raining. I swapped ... read more

2nd December I wake up about 6.30 just as the sun is starting to rise. I pop to the loo, open the van doors and climb back under the duvet for another hour or so. I could get used to waking up to the rising Sun, the morning chorus and the sound of the water lapping on the waterfront. It is going to be SOOO hard when I have to go back to work. Eventually, my stomach tells me it us time for breakfast, so I make tea and toast and generally watch the world go by for another hour or so. I also had a stab at another painting; still not fit for public display I afraid. Time to make a decision, stay or go, given that it is almost 10 and I have to ... read more