When Mike's holiday finished and he had to return to work-work on 14th January, we decided to try to get ourselves organised. We met up with Brian and Deborah at Brian's brother Jim's in Napier the following day, where we enjoyed a great BBQ and spent time the following morning nattering. We then set off for Lake Taupo, where we had found a caravan advertised that might meet our needs. It was a very hot day, and the tar was melting on the roads as we drove over the mountains. Jacqui had mentioned bends, but not the ups and downs! After lunch overlooking the lakeside, we went to see the caravan. Sadly disappointing, it was old and dingy. There were some others on offer, including a 'demonstrator' full of equipment at a tempting price. We had time to see the Huka Falls, which are not particularly impressive, and went in search of a Geothermal site. We arrived at the end of the day, far too late, (as Jacqui had explained) it was a half day affair at least. Taupo was expected to be busy because of motor racing and other attractions, so we headed down the lake to Turangi, which claims to be the trout fishing capital of New Zealand, where we spent the night in a comfortable studio motel unit. The next day we continued south, passing the Tongariro national park and snow covered mountains. From Taihape, we set off along the road over the mountains back towards Napier. This was labelled 'unsuitable for caravans' so it was well we had not found one! It deteriorated into an 'unsealed' 'metal' road for about 30 kms of this length, and rejoices in the name of 'Gentle Annie'. It was unnerving meeting logging trucks with trailers, and even a BP fuel tanker with trailer, on the loose 'metal' surface and around the hairpin bends. On return to Mike and Lisa's cottage Mo insisted the car needed another wash - it was covered in road dust that had risen in clouds behind us. Mike and Lisa were away that evening, so we were able to give Bilbo his tea. We decided that we could spend the weekend on the housebuilding and we had promised ourselves Sunday lunch at a winery. Lisa had booked a table at the Black Barn, and it proved to be very pleasant there. We also said that we would give Jacqui and Rowan a hand moving into Hastings on the following Tuesday. Our role was to take Oscar and Fergus to an indoor adventure playground in Napier, have a picnic, and then visit the National Aquarium, making a very pleasant day out.
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| Mo taking the sun at Martinborough campsite |
The following day, a Sunday, we drove into Wellington and parked next door to the Te Papa national museum. We mooched along the quays, enjoyed the artwork and a coffee, and when we were hungry ate our picnic sat outside the library building. We walked north to see the lovely Parliament buildings and modern 'Beehive', before returning back to find the cable car. Emerging from the top, we looked over the city, then set off to explore the Botanical gardens. This involved a descent to the rose garden, where a Teddy Bears' Picnic event was in full swing for the children, and then a climb back to use the return half of our cable car tickets! We spent a couple of hours in Te Papa, promising ourselves we will return some day for a proper look. Finally, on our way home we drove up to the Mount Victoria lookout for fantastic views over the city and harbour. John managed to track down Peter Richardson, who lives on his boat on the south island! Once more, it shows that is in the blood!
We set off at midday from Upper Hutt, having done a little more shopping. We had to first negotiate the pass over the Rimutaka, this time with the caravan in tow. The Honda Accord coped with this very well, and we managed not to create a major hold up. We were quickly in Martinborough, where we found the privately run 'village camp site' to be delightful. That evening we met up with Pat, Louise and Jacob from Woking, who are in the middle of a major trip and renting a motorvan in New Zealand. They extolled their love for Samoa, one of their stops en route. Martinborough is a wine growing centre with 'boutique' wineries that are on a smaller scale than the enormous enterprises around Hawkes Bay. The buildings in the village are particularly pretty.
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| Seals near Ngawi, close to Cape Palliser |
We drove north from Martinborough and stopped at Pahiatua in the Carnival ground campsite. This was quite a nice camp site, and the most reasonable yet at only 15$! We rang Pam and Gary, Lisa's mum and dad. They were very busy with hay gathering, but we arranged to call on them briefly that evening. We found our way to their home, and found Gary still busy on the tractor. After a cup of tea, a quick update on the house building photos, and an inspection of the improved facilities (Mike and Lisa had lived there when they arrived in New Zealand in Jemmana in 2000), we left them and Brett to the hay making.
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| Jacqui and Mo at Kemblefield winery |