10th November It rained all night. Another lesson learnt; push the fold up table further under the van at night. I slid it out this morning in preparation for breakfast so it was full of water as it was upside down and is has a lip running all around it. Bacon butties for breakfast; always a good start to the day. After I tidied up I was not sure where to head to, then I overheard a couple talking about a local farmer's market which I seen advertised. I have something approaching a plan for the day, farmers market then Tawharanui Regional Park for lunch and a walk. Ending up parking about half a mile out of town for the farmer’s market, it is very popular. Bought some supplies for lunch and beyond. On the way ... read more

Final night at my 1st Campsite a Shakespear Nation Park. Headed north in search of a campsite with more facilities such as a hot shower and a washing machine. Left about 9.30, filled up the van at Manly and bought sunscreen as I a was starting to look like a cooked lobster. Bought some bacon to supplement my pasta and sauce tonight; I finally finish the jar of pasta sauce tonight. Set sat nav for Whangateau Holiday Park, and stopped off at a beach en route and took in the view and wrote my last blog. I carried on my journey, thinking that I would go straight to the campsite but got side tracked when I saw a brown sign indicating a tourist attraction to a Pioneer Town. I parked up and found a walk which ... read more

Got back from Manly and sat for a couple of hrs doing nothing. I vaguely thought about a walk but was easily distracted by the antics and sounds of the local bird population. I love the call of the Tui, imaging letting a three yr old loose with a synthesizer, the call is full of clicks, warbles, high pitch squeals and trills. Apparently each one has their own distinct call. Eventually hunger set in and I made pasta and sauce. After that I decided to go for a walk along the beach, which borders the campsite , only it was high tide so no beach to walk on so I headed of down the track, with a timer on my phone do so I did not caught out by the dark like my first night. When ... read more

If you of a certain generation you will know all about Frank Spencer's mishaps and DIY disasters. Well last night was a little like an episode of Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em. Where to start after picking up food and toiletries en route I get the camp site all well and good. Finally, time to put kettle on for a cuppa. The first one was wet and not very warm. I had left the kettle on for ages but the flame was losing its battle against the wind.The second cuppa was much more succesful, I improvised a windbreak by laying the fold up table on its side. I had bite to eat, washed up and went for a wonder, it was starting get dark on my way back. I know BAD planning, it won't happen again. ... read more

November 2018 08:29 Arrived safely at Auckland this morning. It was not without incident. It is a good job that I am no longer a stresshead. The last 48hrs has included a few minor irritations, which a few years ago would have had me stressing; but not anymore. Finally learned not to stress about the small stuff. Where to start with the annoyances. First one was my medication not being delivered. I called my surgery to do an emergency prescription on Wednesday, but it would not be ready to pick until Thursday afternoon. I intended to leave my house on Thursday morning. My landlord, bless him, decided, as I was home Thursday morning, to do some jobs. This did not help on the cat catching situation. So the long and the short of it was ... read more