Day 78 - Blenheim to HOME (or wherever)

Day seventy-eight was our last day. We left Blenheim just after nine and had a leisurely drive to Nelson. HOME!!!!  THE END

Day 77 - Mana to Wellington (Bluebridge Ferry), Blenheim Racecourse

Day seventy-seven was our last day in the North Island before crossing on the ferry later in the day. After writing the blog on Day 76 we were watching a guy fishing just beside our bus. Just after 5pm he hooked a fish, probably a stingray, and he began playing it. This went on until after the 6pm TV1 news, 2 hours, when suddenly the line broke. He was one tied guy but pleased to have a great contest.

We left Mana just after nine and drove into Wellington and parked at the Bluebridge terminal. On the way in there was a large crusie ship which we thought we might buy with the remain group SKI money. Unfortunately they wouldn't take the 2/6 we had so we bought a Wicked van.

We left Wellington at1pm and arrive in Picton at 4.30pm. We drove to Blenheim, bought fish and chips and parked at the racecourse for the night. Back on the Mainland.

                                                    One tired fisherman just befor the line broke

                                           They wouldn't take 2/6d for the ship - SKI money

                                          Our new SKI van

Day 76 - Mana to Porirua to Mana

Day seventy-six is our last day in the North Island as we are booked on Bluebridge tomorrow. Today we used the gold card again and went to Porirua and walked the shops. On return we were in the bus reading and watching all the boats going or returning from fishing, sailing or crusiing. The day was perfect for everything. This area is well used.

A bit of excitement when an outrigger canoe sank and the people slowly made it to shore. One or two of the paddlers looked all-in when they walked past us.

Tomorrow we cross at 1.00.pm and may go onto Blenheim racecourse for the night. Yet to be decided.

Day 75 - Mana to Wellington and back to Mana

Day seventy-five was a nice fine day. We took the bus (goldcard) to Wellington and spent the day in Te Papa. The Brian Brake photography exhibition was brillant. To me the rest was so so. While in town we booked our ferry crossing for 1.00pm Monday.

Day 74 - Levin to Mana

Day seventy-four was fine after over night showers. We got the bus ready for moving and spent time with Rex and Valma. It was very hard to say goodbye. Rex is not well. We drove slowly to Mana and parked just before lunch. Gloria wanted to watch the Memorial Service for Christchurch.

Today at Mana is very windy. At present there is an old caravan and one other campervan.

Day 73 - Palmerston North to Levin

Day seventy-three we left Palmerston North at about 10am after a wonderful meal with friends the night before. We drove slowly towards Levin, stopping for a while in Shannon. On arrival in Levin we went to several shops before going to Rex and Valma's house where we parked. We spent the afternoon talking about our travels. Later we went to Rita and Ivan's place with Rex and Valma. We had a lovely meal and a chance to catch-up with my sister.

Day 72 - Wanganui to Palmerston North

Day seventy-two started slowly as we awoke late. We left Wanganui and drove straight to Palmerston North. Upon arrival we tried to see if we could park at the RSA but they were going to be full for the night. After some shopping we went to the camping ground and booked a site then went to Jen and Graham Hubbard's (Wendy's parents) for the afternoon and a lovely meal. We then drove back to our parking site.

Day 71 - Hawera to Wanganui

Day seventy-one began with us giving the bus a quick wash, just smeared the dirt around. We then drove to Wanganui and booked a trip on the river boat - Waimaire. The person who served us at the I Centre was Elizabeth Lineham. A distant cousin.

We did a little bit of shopping before time to board the boat. We left at 1.30pm for a two hour river cruise. The Waimaire is over 100 years old and was restored in 1996 after spending time in the mud at the bottom of the Wanganui river. The cruise was great. On return we drove to the Wanganui East Club to park for the night.

The river boat

All aboard the boat

Let's go - Hand brake off

A whisp of smoke and under way

Wanganui River in the ball

Day 70 - Levin to Foxton, Wanganui and Hawera

Day seventy we decided to drive to Wanganui and Hawera so that we could revisit the Tawhiti Museum again. On arrival at Hawera we discovered that the museum is closed for the rest of the week so we will have to make other plans.

We stopped in Foxton to visit the large Trading Post store but bought nothing. We spent time shopping in Wanganui and drove on to Hawera and parked at the South Taranaki Club. Lovely site. Perhaps we may go back to Wanganui and look at a ride on the river boat.

Day 69 - Levin

Day sixty-nine was a beautiful day. It started early with the roar of a hot air balloon being filled right next door to the bus. We watched as it slowly rose into the air. We both would have like to be on it. The rest of the day we devoted to cleaning the inside of the bus, spending time with my brother and sister in law and blobbing out.

Balloon rising by bus

Balloon beginning flight

With Rex

Day 68 - Mana/Porirua Kennel Club to Otaki and Levin

Day sixty-eight started very early for us. We were parked by the sea at Mana and about 10pm civil defence arrived and asked all the vans to move to Porirua Kennel Club as there was a tsunami warning from the Japanese earthquake. Most moved as we wanted a good nights sleep. It was also an excellent site. Everyone had thoughts to share this morning on whether we should have moved.

Gloria and I left mid-morning and drove to Otaki, looked at the shops before driving to Levin to spend time with Rex and Valma, Rita and Ivan before going further north.

Day 67 - Mana to Wellington and Mana

Day sixty-seven, and then there was one. Today we said farewell to Don as he crossed over leaving Gloria and me in the North Island. We used the gold card and went by train to Wellington to do some tourist things. We spent time at the War Memorial, Bank of New Zealand Museum and walking around trying to find our way.  We returned by train to Mana and will spend the night before moving on.

Weldon at grave of Unknown Warrior.

Statue in National War Memorial

                                                    Statue of Simpson and Donkey

Day 66 - Masterton to Carterton, Greytown, Martinborough, Featherston and Paramata/Mana

Day sixty-six we completed the first circuit as we arrived back at Paramata/Mana, where we had our first stop in the North Island. The day was beautifully fine and a lot warmer than recently. We left Masterton and drove quietly to Carterton and looked around, dumped, before driving to Greytown where we viewed the antique shops and Puzzlewood.

We then took the inland road to Martinborough where I had designs on some wine. Even though it was a wine trail, it was not until we drove into Martinborough that we saw any vines, about a dozen rows and a wine tasting shop that didn't appeal. No wine. No drinking and driving. Must polish my halo.

We then drove to Featherston, had lunch, a quick look round, then over the Rimutuka's to Paramata/Mana to park. Tomorrow Don is sailing back to the mainland while Gloria and I spend a day or two here, perhaps the gold card into Wellington by train, before going back north to visit.

No pics today

Day 65 - Castlehill to Castlepoint Lighthouse and Masterton

Day sixty-five had us rising early at Castlehill and escaping before they wanted help with shearing. We drove onto Castlepoint over the unsealed and sealed roads. We arrived at Castlepoint Lighthouse at morning tea and spent time walking to the lighthouse and the surrounding area. The lighthouse and the stoney area was very interesting.

We had lunch there and then left and drove slowly to Masterton, on sealed roads. The farmland in this area was beautiful and the stock in great condition. We stopped at the Cosmopolitan Club with two other vans. A great day.

'Tree of Lost Soles'

Rocks at Castlepoint

Gloria and Don (background) on walk up

Castlepoint Lighthouse

Lighthouse and rocky shore

Don on walk

Weight training on holiday

Don't fall Don

Serious boats, serious tractors and seriously long drawbars

Castlepoint Lighthouse in background of vans

Day 64 - Pahiatua Golf Club to Alfredton and Castlehill

Day sixty-four saw Don, Gloria and Weldon leave the Pahiatua Golf Club early to get gas and diesel in Pahiatua before taking the inland road to Alfredton and on to the top of the Castlehill Road. The tarsealed road was narrow but the unsealed road was very narrow and with plenty of corrugations. We went to the top of the road to see a person we knew - June Edmonds.

We parked up at June's. This provided us with a magnificent 360degree view. This covered the main of the Wairarapa. By June's house was a large tower - 80m high. This was a wind gauge because an electricity company wants to put in 150 windmills for generating power. Each tower will be 120m to 140m high. The towers will cover 27 different farms, giving each one a very good income.

We went around the farm buildings, with the sheep in for shearing tomorrow. We had a fantastic meal in the evening. The wind didn't blow and it was a great place to stay.

Sheep waiting for a woolcut!

Views from around June's house

Faint view of tower

                                           Buses parked at June's

Day 63 - Takapau to Dannevirke, Woodville, Mangatainoka & Pahiatua

Day sixty-three arrived with blue skies that kept getting dark. We left Takapau after dumping and drove to Dannevirke. We walked the streets and then headed for Woodville and spent time in the second hand shops. We had lunch in a cafe then we said goodbye to Mort and Gwenda who where heading to Palmerston North, then Mana before visiting family in Wellington. They may cross back over Wednesday or Thursday.

Don, Gloria and Weldon drove on to Mangatainoka and spent time at the Tui Brewery. We then drove into Pahiatua where Weldon wanted to visit the cemetry where his Grandparents are buried. The cemetry was back at Mangatainoka so we returned, found the graves and went to the Pahiatua Golf Club to park up.

We are down to two vans now.

Dark sky at Dannevirke

                                          Saying "Happy Travels' to Mort and Gwenda

The Tui Brewery

We wanted to buy this -

but kids you didn't send money -

Yeah right!

Gloria as a Tui Girl

Don was here - Yeah right!

Good advertising! - Yeah right

Day 62 - Takapau

Day sixty-two we stayed at Takapau Motorhome park. It was raining over night and continued during the day to be our first full day of rain. As it was cold we moved onto power and spent most of the day in the rooms by the beautiful log fire and the comfortable chairs. Games, reading and resting was the order of the day.

No pics but a good wet walk around the township.

Day 61 - Clive to Havelock North, Hastings and Takapau

Day sixty-one was overcast with odd spots. We left the beach and started driving to Hastings but was stopped by a closed road because of an accident. We then drove through the back roads exiting at Havelock North. We spent time in town and bought some of the award winning pies for our lunch. We then relocated to Hastings and spent time in town and later had lunch at a park - lovely hot pies.

We then left Hastings heading for the Motorhome park at Takapau. We spent time in Waipukurau but it was closed up. We arrived at Takapau and signed in before sleeps and a cuppa. About ten vans here.

No pics today.

Day 60 - Lake Tutira to Napier & Clive

Day sixty and two months on the road. Our group became smaller today with Tony and Trudi moving on to visit family. They may join us again later.

We drove from Lake Tutira and stopped on the coastline before Napier for morning tea. We then continued on into Napier where we did our laundry and walked the shops. Marine Parade with it's fountains, gardens and other visitor activities is well maintained. Very nice.

After lunch in town we drove to Clive area, right beside the sea and parked up. There is just three vans tonight - Mort and Gwenda, Don, and Gloria and Weldon. We are nearly on the last legs of the North Island.

                                                    Marine Parade photos

                                                     Pania

                                                    Flower gardens

Day 59 - Mahia to Wairoa and Lake Tutira

Day fifty-nine saw a fine morning after some showers during the night. We left Mahia and drove to Wairoa. The town is not as 'rough' as we had been lead to believe. We walked the streets and made some purchases. We left town after saying goodbye to Ian and Sally who are going fishing with friends.

We drove on to Lake Tutira on the Wairoa to Napier highway and stopped at a Doc Camp. It is right beside a lake. We had lunch then Bob and Lynn left us to visit people in Havelock North before making their way home to prepare for a family wedding. There are plenty of trout and an unlucky one bit my fly. Trout for entree tonight.

                                                    Unlucky trout - 3lbs.

                                          Jack trout caught on fly rod.

Day 58 - Gisborne to Mahia Beach

Day fifty-eight is a beautiful fine day. We all went our own ways during the day as we all head for Mahia Beach for the night. The drive to Mahia from Gisborne went through a lot of farmland until we hit the steep hills. There were some lonely places in the hills. Coming over the hill into Mahia the sea was a beautiful blue. Paradise with crayfish. On arrival at the POP we were given some crayfish.

On the way out of Gisgorne there was a cruise ship anchored in Poverty Bay and the passengers were being ferried into town. It looked nice as we had our morning cuppa.

This is probably the last night that we will be altogether as people are going their own ways to visit or to make a faster return home. Could be a long night with wine and crayfish.

Later there was a small problem with Don's bus so two sets of legs were under it trying to fix the pump.

                                          Young Nicks Head - Poverty Bay

                                          Log ship waiting to load, Young Nicks Head in the background

                                          Cruise ship in the bay unloading passengers

                                          Crayfish for tea - one per van

                                          Two sets of legs fixing Don's van

Kids we have bought a dunger of a caravan but the money is all gone! If you want us home - send money.

Day 57 -Tolaga Bay - Whagara, Pouawa & Gisborne

Day fifty-seven started with a wake up call to view the sunrise. Unknown to Don it was fairly cloudy and not as good as yesterday. After dumping we left Tolaga Bay township and drove to the wharf. This historic wharf is 660m long. We walked along it and spoke to the people doing the repairs. The piles are breaking down and they are rebuilding them. After the piles are safe then they will begin on the top and the rails. A great sight to see.

We drove on and overlooked Whangara where Whale Rider was filmed. You are not allowed to drive to the settlement.

We then drove onto Pouawa where there is a freedom camping spot but it was full and as people required water we drove into Gisbourne and parked at the Cosmopolitan Club, did town and settled into the club for happy hour.

                                          Wharf and cliff face from our park at Tolaga Bay

                                          Looking down the 660m of wharf at Tolaga Bay

                                          Small cave in the cliff face from wharf.