Day 56 - Uawa - Tolaga Bay

Day fifty-six was a beautiful but lazy day. After setting the kontiki last night and with only a 'doggie' for return we all slept in and decided to stay for the day. Some people did extra washing but we spent most of the morning talking and resting.

We walked into the township just before lunch and had lunch in a small cafe. Lovely toasted sandwiches, pies and muffins. Good coffee to. After lunch we discovered the local radio station - Radio Uawa FM - 88.5 & 99.3. The announcer, Nikora Curtis, invited us in and asked where we came from and did we want a request. He then wanted one of us to speak on air. Everyone piked out so it was left to me. Good fun. Our request was 'On the Road Again'. Nik and the station is famous for 176.5 hours of continuous broadcasting.

The remainder of the afternoon was blob out time.

                                          Vans parked at Tolaga Bay

                                           Tolaga Bay memorial gates

                                          The local pub.

                                          Nikora Curtis and Radio Uawa FM

                                          Nik broadcasting

                                           Guest announcer - On the Road Again

                                          Nik's Certificate for continuous broadcasting

Day 55 - Tokomaru Bay to Anaura Bay and Tolaga Bay

Day fifty-five was damp in the morning after over night rain. We left Tokomaru Bay early and drove to Anaura Bay. This is a beautiful bay and the sea was calm so we decided to put out the kontiki. Everything went well except that the fish were not told. A lovely time but sausages for tea again!

We left the bay after lunch and were going to go into Kaiaua Bay but the road and time were against us so we drove to Tolaga Bay , parked up, did washing, washed the buses and had an early happy hour. Plenty of Freedom parking here.

                                          Anaura Bay

                                                    Wash day at the Pa

Day 54 - Waipiro Bay to Tokomaru Bay.

Day fifty-four we drove the short distance from Waipiro Bay to Tokomaru Bay. This allows us to have a rest and perhaps do some fishing. We have a Gisborne District Council Freedom Camping Pass that allows us access to certain beaches.

                                           Don wading over to watch Weldon fish!!

                                                    Lift the pants Don. The tide came in.

                                                    No fish! Almost a wet a...

                                          Local kids on their horses

With the incoming tide several of us tried fishing with no success. To fish on the beach required crossing a stream that rose as the tide came in, making it hard to get back. Also some of the local children rode their horses to the marae. They are great riders.

Day 53 - Hicks Bay to East Cape lighthouse, Tikitiki, Ruatoria, Waipiro Bay

Day fifty-three was a beautifully fine day. We drove from Hicks Bay to Te Araroa and on to East Cape. The road is narrow but a great drive. We arrived at the lighthouse area and Don, Gloria, Mort and Weldon climbed the 750 steps to the lighthouse. It was well worth the effort as the views were spectacular. The climb down was harder on the body as you were over stepping and being careful on the slippery steps. We the drove back to Te Araroa for lunch.

After lunch we drove on to Tikitiki and stopped at St Marys' Church. This building should not be missed. It has fantastic carvings, tukutuku woven panels and paintings. The stained glass windows are beautiful, the pulpit is carefully carved and the rafter patterns fantastic. The baptismal font was a very old carving.

We drove into Ruatoria and managed to get water. The town has a bad name but the people were very friendly and helpful. The bad name doesn't seem deserved. Then we drove on to join the others at Waipiro Bay for the night. Unfortunately there was no fishing allowed.

                                          East Cape lighthouse in the distance

                                          That climb up the steps

                                          Almost at the top

                                          Resting at the last few steps

                                          We made it and enjoying the views

                                                        East Cape lighthouse

                                                        That water tastes good after the climb!

                                                        Resting and holding up the lighthouse

                                          Entrance St Mary's Chuch, Tikitiki

                                          Stained glass windows

                                                       The carved pulpit

                                                       The alter and stained glass window

                                                        Baptismal font - carved 1836

                                                        The bell tower

                                                       Monument on hill

Day 52 - Omaio Beach to Hicks Bay

Day fifty-two we left Omaio Bay after spending time with Otago University members who were doing and archaeological  dig. We drove around the coast line stopping at the beautiful chuch at Ruakokore. This church and cemetry is well worth a visit.

We drove on to Hicks Bay where we parked in a paddock by the beach. It was a beautiful spot. We had some rain but we also managed some fishing from the old wharf. We caught several, enough for a taste.

                                          Church at Ruakokore

                                          Outside the Hicks Bay store

Day 51 - Ohope to Omaio Beach

Day fifty-one saw one of our group get her OAP - turned 65. We left the church and drove to Opotiki where most did laundry. During morning tea we gave Trudi a present for her birthday. We also said goodbye to Kaye and Barry who left us to make their way to Gisborne and quickly home to Nelson.

We drove on to Omaio Beach where we parked for the night. Our thoughts were with family and friends in Christchurch after the earthquake. Most spent time contacting people to see if all are safe.

                                                    The birthday girl - 65 today.

                                          Group photo befor Barry and Kaye left.

Day 50 - Rotorua to Whakatane and Ohope (Maraetotara Church)

Day fifty we left Rotorua after an enjoyable night with Jeff and Mavis. We drove to the caterpillar bulldozer display. This display tells the history of the bulldozers in New Zealand and especially in the central North Island. Well worth a visit.

We drove on towards Whakatane, stopping in a beautiful stopover beside Lake Rotoiti. Mort decided to tease a swan with a piece of paper that looked like food. The swan thought Mort's thumb looked better and gave it a goo nip. One up to swan. We drove on slowly and branched off into Kawarau. It is a nice town. The food was cheap so we had a cooked meal there. The paper mill, although not working at present, is huge.

WE stopped in Whakatane and walked the streets before joining the others at Ohope Beach. The hill road from Whakatane to Ohope is not built for big motorhomes. We had a second gear crawl to get to the top. We moved to a free parking area at Maraetotara Church for the night. No computer coverage so no blog until now.

                                          At the Caterpillar Display

                                          Buses parked at Lake Rotoiti

                                                       Swan looking for Mort's thumb!!!!

                                          Parked at Kawarau

                                           Tourists in Rotorua

Day 49 - Mt Maunganui to Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua and Ngongotaha

Day forty-nine was a brillant day. We started with a swim in the hot saltwater baths at Mt Maunganui. When we were showered and dry we left and drove slowly towards Rotorua. At Te Puke we stopped and visited an antigue store that had shelves and shelves full of crockery. All the cup, saucer and plates you could every want. We then moved on to the big kiwifruit that you can climb up inside. This area was a real tourist area with shops and prices to match.

We stopped at Lake Rotoiti for our lunch before driving into Rotorua. We had a short walk into the town before spending time on the lake front. We left at 4 o'clock and drove to Ngongotaha were we all stayed with Mavis and Des. Three vans on the lawn and three in the drive. A lovely couple.

                                          At the Big Kiwifruit in Te Puke

                                          Mavis and Des our hosts for the night. Thank you.

Day 48 - Tauranga Marina to Mt Maunganui

Day forty-eight we drove 7.5km to Mt Maunganui. The group that was at the Marina moved early to the beach front for an early breakfast and then drove to Mt Maunganui, sightseeing on the way. They then joined the others at the camping ground by the beach. Everyone had a lazy day going for walks, swimming, eating waffle ice creams and just being lazy. A very quiet but warm day.

Day 47 - Tauranga

Day forty-seven we stayed in Tauranga. We left our park over early and drove to a car park by the hospital, then caught a bus, using our gold cards, into town. We all spent time doing small chores before catching the bus back to our vans. We then drove through town to the marina area and spent the afternoon there.

Later in the afternnon the group divided. Some stayed and parked at the marina while the others went to the motor camp where will all stay tomorrow night. Those who stayed at the marina caught two nice fish from a friendly fisherman. These were butchered and made a lovely tea.

                                          Our tea in a wild state

                                          The butcher at work.