Blogs from New Zealand, Oceania - page 6

Memories of visiting St Hilda in the Woods Church at Ngamatapouri many decades ago convinced me I should travel over New Zealand's longest no-exit road to see it again. After turning off at Waitotara, onto the Waitotara Valley Road, we came across a sign warning us of wandering stock. The sign is there for a good reason. We had to dodge stock and wild goats all the way. The road roughly follows the Waitotara River and is sealed until you reach Ngamatapouri. We worked out we needed to keep going for another few kilometres in order to find the church. Seeing the church again was lovely. I remembered how beautiful it is inside. However, like churches all over NZ, it was locked and we couldn't find any contact details so were unable to find anyone to ... read more

In the middle of the beautiful Manaia Golf Course is the historic Manaia Redoubt that was built in the 1880s. It consists of a lookout tower, which is a 1912 replica of the original tower that blew over in a storm, and two blockhouses. The redoubt is surrounded by trenches which are not easy to climb in and out of if you are unfit or it has been raining. If you have an interest in NZ history, it is worth taking the risk of being hit by a golf ball as you run across the fairway to reach the redoubt. It isn't very interesting but you can grab a few photos and then head into town to Yarrows (The Bakers) and grab some very yummy, very cheap treats. Munzees: there are plenty of Munzees to capture ... read more

A camping we will go, A camping we will go, High Ho the Derry-O, A camping we will go! And what a place to do so! Great roads, abundant camp spots, friendly humor loving locals, ease of English language, and jaw dropping beauty! New Zealand is a place to get out and explore, marvel at nature, and challenge yourself to anything from hiking, to biking to paragliding and so much more. In our way too short, 3 week campervan trek from north to south across the country, we managed to rack up a whole slew of notables. There were: Over 1600 miles driven, countless round-abouts, at least 27 never seen before bird species, 25 gorgeous trails hiked, 16 different camp spots, 15 modes of transportation utilized, more than 10 swinging bridges crossed, 5 summits climbed, and ... read more

Day 5 and 6 of the Alps to Ocean and the art of river crossings…. It is now the end of Day 5, and with only 61km to push tomorrow to the South Pacific Ocean, I am beginning to think we might make it! It's been another long day and the first time we have had to cycle through rivers. I had never really acknowledged that this might be a “thing”....i.e. a real thing that we might be expected to do. But there was the river and we were on the wrong side. Pete reckoned (for the very first time in his life) that slow and steady was the answer...low gear, moderate pedalling with a burst at the end to get you up the bank. We debated the option of hurling ourselves down the bank at ... read more

September 1982: Patea was a busy little town. There were two doctors, two pharmacies, a post office and telephone exchange, County Council and Borough Councils, a town hall, banks and shops. That changed overnight when the freezing works closed. Almost everything closed, never to reopen. It is hard to believe 40 years have passed. Attending the event outside the gates to where the Works used to be was emotional for the large crowd that turned out in the rain. Memories were shared, the information board and plaque were unveiled and photos were taken. I will let this report fill you in on all the details url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018857153/patea-marks-40th-anniversay-of-freezing-works-closurehttps://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018857153/patea-marks-40th-anniversay-of-freezing-works-closure The highlight of t... read more