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