Blogs from Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

24th November I and getting at this getting away for 10am lark; the key seems to be preparation. I pack my clothes for the next day in my rucksack and put a teabag in my cup. This way when I get up to go the loo I can make a cuppa on the way back. I then have breakfast and sort the van out. Then head for a shower, and drop my washing up in the kitchen on the way. Wash up after my shower, put the stuff back in the van and I am ready to go. It has only taken me two and half weeks to figure it out. The plan of action for today is to go to the Farmer’s Market in Gisborne and then head towards Napier. I get parked up as ... read more

22/1/18 Waimarima & Havelock North On light duties today with just a walk along the beach and cleaning and locking up beach house ready to journey back to our host's (Brian & Lynda) house in Havelock North. We said goodbye to Waimarama as we are unlikely to see it again for a few years. Just packed up our few weekend things into the beast and purred back to Havelock North. Had a pleasant evening chatting over another nice meal and hit the hay early - no wine which our livers will be grateful for. It has been suggested to me by some blog followers, that I should be in line for promotion and perhaps take over command. I requested an Interview with the C. O. and proposed this suggestion. When she calmed down, she said I ... read more

Attempting a photo catch up from Singapore from C.O.’s ipad (superior officers equipment)... read more

Ça y est, nous revoilà officiellement prêt à reprendre la route sur l'île Nord. Du coup, on passera par la côte Est afin de découvrir ses merveilles. Avant de quitter Wellington, on s'attarde aux alentours et plus précisément au départ de Shelly Bay pour arriver jusqu'à l'aéroport de Wellington. Le trajet se fait en van sous la pluie mais en vaut vraiment la peine! La route côtière est très agréable, sauvage et offre à certains points un spectacle magnifique où l'on a pu observer l'océan se déchainer, des villages de pêcheurs qui ressemblent plutôt maintenant à des résidences secondaires commençaient à être inondés par la pluie tout ceci sculpté par un vent de folie! On recommande ce trajet un jour de beau temps, un jour où il sera possible de prendre une pause sur l'une des ... read more

So spent a night at the Whirinaki Recreation camp, was super cool except for the roads, not graded large gravel. The camp has 3 huts, a wooden stove in the kitchen, flush toilets and solar heated showers. We were the only ones there! Did a couple of walks, one in the afternoon and one after supper. Drove the horrible gravel road to Wiaroa, took hours to go 100k. We found a great campground in town and set up the tent. This morning we drove to Morere Springs, did a walk (read the sign after we finished) then soaked in the hot pools. Off tomorrow for Wellington, we booked the ferry for Friday. PS our campground has the most wonderful display of Christmas lights. ... read more