Firstly apologies for the last couple of entries where the wording has been a bit strange. I had predictive text on this tablet and it was a pain in the a...!
Finally found out how to take it off.
Oakura
Saturday. Today we went for a drive around the New Plymouth port area, and around the mountain and up to Dawson falls. Mt Egmont really is quite spectacular with its snow on top that looks like icing running down. They dont get to ski on it for very long during the season. This year they got three days.
We took Rudi and Verena out to dinner to a nice italian place they liked.
Sunday. We left our friends place around 9am and headed north towards Hamilton. We decided not to visit Waitomo caves due to cost and the fact that we have glo worms here and we have seen plenty of staligmites etc.
We found a nice place to stay in Cambridge and decided to visit the movie set of Lord of the rings on Monday. It is called Hobbiton. It was very good although it rained as we were walking around.
We then travelled to Auckland.
As we were driving to Cambridge on Sunday we both had been thinking the same thing and that was, we felt we had seen all we wanted to see and had spent enough money and it was time to go home.
So at lunchtime Monday we rang to see about flying out earlier and instead of finding some accomodation that night, we flew home that night leaving Auckland at 7.45. ( should have been 6.50) arriving at Tullamarine at 9.15pm, but there were about 5 other planes too so it took a long time to get through customs.
Stayed with mum last night and with Katherine tonight.
Heading home to Cobden tomorrow. Happy with our decision to come home.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Friday, November 09, 2012
Wellington to Oakura .
Wednesday we want for a drive through the Hutt Valley. the weather had turned quite cold overnight and the wind was coming from the south. Straight from the Antarctica!
We drove through more hills but once over that it was much flatter and we went to a town called Martinborough. It was wine country.
Drove back to Wellington but missed the turn off and ended going across to the other side of Wellington towards the airport. Drove around a bit then went back to Wellington our accommodation for a pit stop then out to the shops.we were right in the hub of johnsonville and there was lots of eateries so after looking around the shops we bought dinner , a lamb roast to take back to our room so we could just heat it when ready.
Next morning we left around10 and made our way to Wanganui. We stopped for smoko 1 .hr after we left, at a little beachside town and still arrived at wanghanui not long after 12.30. We found our accommodation and then went for a drive around. It is on the river but also has ocean which looks like it could get a bit rough. Never seen so much driftwood. We went up to a lookout and they also have an elevator that takes you down to the shops on the other side of the river.
We then went looking for the mouth of the river. There were plenty of people fishing and we saw a couple of guys pulling in some fish at least 2ft long.
Drove around the river area. They had a couple of very old paddle steamers that do river tours but we decided not to bother.
Went to the RSA for lunch (RSL) and the Brick House restaurant for dinner.
Next day we followed the coast to get to Oakura . Stopped at Patea for look at a very old works along the river. Before we stopped there the very majestic and imposing Mt Tauranaki (.mt egmont ) came into view. Looking down the main st of Patea with the snow topped mountain at the end was quite something. I would put up a pic but still haven't worked out how.
The weather was much nicer today. A nice spring day. We arrived in Oakura and went to have lunch before we rocked up at Rudi and Verena's house.
We chatted for the afternoon and after dinner went to where their house is being built. It is on a hill with a great view of New Plymouth . They are building an Echo house and it is just the shell and roof for now. The windows are coming from Europe so won't be here till Dec or January.
They have 2 cows that are keeping the grass down and are purely for them to eat at a later date. They have already started a vege patch and planted some nut trees.
Today, Friday, Verena and I went to the shops till lunch and this afternoon we are just chilling.
Wednesday we want for a drive through the Hutt Valley. the weather had turned quite cold overnight and the wind was coming from the south. Straight from the Antarctica!
We drove through more hills but once over that it was much flatter and we went to a town called Martinborough. It was wine country.
Drove back to Wellington but missed the turn off and ended going across to the other side of Wellington towards the airport. Drove around a bit then went back to Wellington our accommodation for a pit stop then out to the shops.we were right in the hub of johnsonville and there was lots of eateries so after looking around the shops we bought dinner , a lamb roast to take back to our room so we could just heat it when ready.
Next morning we left around10 and made our way to Wanganui. We stopped for smoko 1 .hr after we left, at a little beachside town and still arrived at wanghanui not long after 12.30. We found our accommodation and then went for a drive around. It is on the river but also has ocean which looks like it could get a bit rough. Never seen so much driftwood. We went up to a lookout and they also have an elevator that takes you down to the shops on the other side of the river.
We then went looking for the mouth of the river. There were plenty of people fishing and we saw a couple of guys pulling in some fish at least 2ft long.
Drove around the river area. They had a couple of very old paddle steamers that do river tours but we decided not to bother.
Went to the RSA for lunch (RSL) and the Brick House restaurant for dinner.
Next day we followed the coast to get to Oakura . Stopped at Patea for look at a very old works along the river. Before we stopped there the very majestic and imposing Mt Tauranaki (.mt egmont ) came into view. Looking down the main st of Patea with the snow topped mountain at the end was quite something. I would put up a pic but still haven't worked out how.
The weather was much nicer today. A nice spring day. We arrived in Oakura and went to have lunch before we rocked up at Rudi and Verena's house.
We chatted for the afternoon and after dinner went to where their house is being built. It is on a hill with a great view of New Plymouth . They are building an Echo house and it is just the shell and roof for now. The windows are coming from Europe so won't be here till Dec or January.
They have 2 cows that are keeping the grass down and are purely for them to eat at a later date. They have already started a vege patch and planted some nut trees.
Today, Friday, Verena and I went to the shops till lunch and this afternoon we are just chilling.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Rotorua to Wellington
We went out to the supermarket to buy something for dinner and get some fuel and relaxed for the evening.
After brekky we went up to a what we thought was a lookout but was a restaurant on a peak with a great view over Rotorua. It was a beautiful clear morning and alas quite warm sitting outside with our morning tea.
After looking at all the brochures we decided to go to a living maori village during the day. We arrived at 11.30 and finally left after looking looking 4.30pm. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the guided tour and then our hangi lunch. We also had a concert at all2pm and then spent a long time chatting to a guy who was carving jade. Back to our room for dinner. We had water constantly running through the pipes and it had kept us awake the night before. We decided to ask about it and as a result we were given another room with our own spa pool.
Next day we went to see the museum which was housed in the old bathhouse. It was good and the buidling was impressive. After lunch we went to the Redwood grove and went for a walk through them. Then later went for a drive around the lake and surrounds and then went back to have a spa. Should have had before bed not before dinner.as we were quite lethargic. Also did some laundry before the spa.
Today we left Rotorua and headed through Lake Taupo on our way to Napier on the coast. It was overcast in Taupo and cool so we didn't see much if it.
It was a winding drive across to Napier but good roads. We arrived in Napier around lunchtime and had lunch at an RSA or as we would know it rsl . It was too early to check in so we went driving around. Www ent up to the bluff lookout an had a great view. We also watched a ship loading logs which was interesting. Went the wharf area and watched a fishing boat off loading their catch.
Back to the main part of Napier to look at the art demo buildings and then we checked in to our accommodation. Very nice.
Next day we went heading off to Wellington. Jane, the gps, decided to miss Hastings and took us on a couple of minor detours but we had a great good trip with only a great short stop for morning tea.
We got to go through the pass which had a been closed for over a year. It was 7 km and apparently cuts off 1/2.hr. it was a nice part of the drive.
We finally found our motel tucked away beside the motorway. We are staying 5 km out of Wellington.
We settled in and then went for a walk around the area.
Today is Monday 5th and we hopped on the train to go into Wellington. It was more a light rail and it had conductors! We found the train cable car and after that went to the wharf area. Lots of joggers and school girls. Went walking along the wharf heard lots of noise coming from kids. All the girls were jumping into the water in their uniforms. Turns out they were year 12 students who had just finished school. Their exams start next week. There was about 200 of them from one school.
We then went to Te Papa museum for a couple of hours or so. Walked back along the wharf and caught a ferry for a return trip across the bay. By this state it was getting rough and quite cool.
We caught a bus back to our accommodation. It took the train 1/2.hr to take us in and the bus in peak hour only 10mins to greet back
After brekky we went up to a what we thought was a lookout but was a restaurant on a peak with a great view over Rotorua. It was a beautiful clear morning and alas quite warm sitting outside with our morning tea.
After looking at all the brochures we decided to go to a living maori village during the day. We arrived at 11.30 and finally left after looking looking 4.30pm. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the guided tour and then our hangi lunch. We also had a concert at all2pm and then spent a long time chatting to a guy who was carving jade. Back to our room for dinner. We had water constantly running through the pipes and it had kept us awake the night before. We decided to ask about it and as a result we were given another room with our own spa pool.
Next day we went to see the museum which was housed in the old bathhouse. It was good and the buidling was impressive. After lunch we went to the Redwood grove and went for a walk through them. Then later went for a drive around the lake and surrounds and then went back to have a spa. Should have had before bed not before dinner.as we were quite lethargic. Also did some laundry before the spa.
Today we left Rotorua and headed through Lake Taupo on our way to Napier on the coast. It was overcast in Taupo and cool so we didn't see much if it.
It was a winding drive across to Napier but good roads. We arrived in Napier around lunchtime and had lunch at an RSA or as we would know it rsl . It was too early to check in so we went driving around. Www ent up to the bluff lookout an had a great view. We also watched a ship loading logs which was interesting. Went the wharf area and watched a fishing boat off loading their catch.
Back to the main part of Napier to look at the art demo buildings and then we checked in to our accommodation. Very nice.
Next day we went heading off to Wellington. Jane, the gps, decided to miss Hastings and took us on a couple of minor detours but we had a great good trip with only a great short stop for morning tea.
We got to go through the pass which had a been closed for over a year. It was 7 km and apparently cuts off 1/2.hr. it was a nice part of the drive.
We finally found our motel tucked away beside the motorway. We are staying 5 km out of Wellington.
We settled in and then went for a walk around the area.
Today is Monday 5th and we hopped on the train to go into Wellington. It was more a light rail and it had conductors! We found the train cable car and after that went to the wharf area. Lots of joggers and school girls. Went walking along the wharf heard lots of noise coming from kids. All the girls were jumping into the water in their uniforms. Turns out they were year 12 students who had just finished school. Their exams start next week. There was about 200 of them from one school.
We then went to Te Papa museum for a couple of hours or so. Walked back along the wharf and caught a ferry for a return trip across the bay. By this state it was getting rough and quite cool.
We caught a bus back to our accommodation. It took the train 1/2.hr to take us in and the bus in peak hour only 10mins to greet back
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