01 05 2010

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01 05 2010


Well we woke up and reluctantly headed towards Auckland to return Bertie Bus our home for last 23 weeks. Despite the rain last night it was sunny and we were on the road by 0915 hours. Took the wrong turn but sorted that out and trundled off. Just got the old bus up to 90 kph and nipping along the road when a Jack Russell ran out, I braked but wasn’t going to swerve and it went under the camper van. Killed it outright, shame.

I drove back to confirm its demise and it was a goner. Went to the only house around and knocked on the door, despite the door being open and the TV blaring there was no reply. I could see a Harley Davidson in the lunge and a few photos of large bikers with patches on and another photo of a whole rack of Harleys outside a premises all surrounded by large blokes with tattoos. Had a thought, is this going to improve my health to tell a large tattooed bikie I have just killed his pet dog, probably called “Asbo” or similar. I thought this would not be a good introduction, so I did what any sensible person would have done; I fled the scene as quick as Bertie would go.

Felt slightly better we were returning the van after this in case it became a target for any vengeful biker.

The Coromandel peninsula continued to provide brilliant scenery and we hugged the cliff road as we went along.

The road to Auckland was about the most boring part of the journey, the route 1 was fairly busy after the amount of traffic we had been used to.

Got to Apollo van hire and handed back Bertie with minimum fuss and got a taxi to the hotel.

Utter bliss, Wendy had a bath and a white towelling robe with colour TV and tea making facilities, clean sheets and carpets, in a city, welcome back to civilisation.

We went out for a meal by the harbour and shared a sea food platter and a bottle of white wine. Oysters, mussels, salmon, tuna, squid, scallops, prawns with bread and dips, not too bad.

Back to the hotel for a catch up with American idol TV and comfy room with en suite, internet, and even a washing machine felt good.

A good bye to NZ tomorrow which will be sad. Have loved the place and most impressed with the great scenery.

A big thank you to the http://www.travelblog.org/p.php?i=153999&s=43e87e&u=/fred.php?id=480726people who have left comments on our blog to remind us of friends and family at home, our faithful follower Joyce and thanks to Cousin Mike who I now know is watching. Hope Maureen and Evelyn are also out there in cyber world.

Love to all,

Wendy and Phil.

XXX

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Comments

[Emily]

the dead dog
dad i can't believe you killed that poor dog you mean man, lol. im surprised you didn't take photos of it as it can't have been as shocking of the photos of you in the shower from the last blog!! haha. miss you lots and stay safe in thailand. emz x x x

[Peter and Mandy]

Good Luck
Hi Phil and Wendy, Hoping the next part of your journey is as wonderful. You have clearly had an amazing time so far, and Mandy and I enjoy reading the daily blog, its had us in stitches several times, and we can imagine the mayhem that you two deliver whevere you go. All fit and well at home, take care in Thailand, no seriously, be safe in Thailand, its a different adventure you are commencing, all our love, Mandy and Peter xx

[carole]

hi both of you(DOG KILLERS)
glad to hear you had a good time, even though one or two episodes were abit unfortunate.Photos are great and the scenary are out of this world and it was good that you made lots of friends. hope you find thailand as enjoyable, andrew said you would be ok in chang mai. he says there is a big evening market there, and the people are friendly, he also says you can go see the long neck people and the temples in the mountains. watch out for the run away lions!! haha. and dont wear any red shirts.. are you still going to go to Dubai? as your missing the kids? we had a great meal last sunday with everyone, and i think eveeryone enjoyed it which is good. looking forward to hear from you, lots of love mum and dad xxx

[Angel123]

Poor puppy
You big wuss Phil! Fancy not squaring up to the bikies! Shame about the pup though. Glad you had such a great trip in NZ - it all sounded wonderful and with breathtaking scenery. Can imagine Wendy being in heaven at a return to civilisation though. Look after yourselves in Bangkok please. Tricia going well - had the 12 weeks scan and all ok. Robbie/Sharyn looking to buy a huge property in the hills - lovely homestead and 20 acres - we are going to see it on Saturday - fingers crossed they can afford it, as they seem keen. Love you both heaps. Fiona xx