Home again

Front garden looking good...

So's the back :-)

We had a little drama in Huntly last evening. Some hoons were breaking down a fence to get their cars onto the grass so Malcolm photographed them. They came over and 'asked' us to delete the photos. Malcolm called the police and the boys took off. We decided to take off too incase they came back for revenge so drove up to Whangarei, arriving 11.00pm. This morning we found out our house-sitters were moving out today so we drove home at midday and moved in. Five hours later we have most of our stuff off the bus, 4 loads of washing done, car washed....so had a little sit down to admire the garden. That little 3 month tiki-tour adventure is now officially over.

Huntly

A carving of eels

A water feature/sculpture

power station view...

...river view

Today we drove north from Te Kuiti to Huntly through lovely green scenery.  We parked up at a freedom spot opposite Huntly power station.  You'd think it would be dreary but it is actually a picturesque reserve next to the river.  We took a walk through the shrubbery that surrounds us and came upon the water sculpture which is quite impressive.

Natural Wonders

Inside the natural bridge

looking out

on the track to the bridge/arch

inside Piripiri cave

Marokopa Falls

More scenic wonders today. We are parked in a pub car park at Te Kuiti (ok this bit isn't that scenic, though it is by a river) - took the car on the (windy) road to the coast from Waitomo Caves. After about 20+kms we visited Mangapohue Natural Bridge which is a natural archway along a gorge walking track. Very picturesque. Next stop Piripiri Cave where not much could be seen inside by torchlight but the camera (flash) managed to produce some pics. Last stop, Marokopa Falls - lots of water coming over for a change - it must have been raining in this area recently.

The Three Sisters

wandering around Pukekura Park

In the fernery

the 2 sisters

Inside the elephant

 

Been checking out some more of NZ's amazing places. After spending Sunday walking to, and around, Pukekura Park we headed out to the beach yesterday - to Tongaporutu and walked along the beach to the 3 sisters. They are still called the 3 sisters although there are now only 2 plus a stack nearby called the cousin. There was also elephant rock and lots of caves and arches. Nice to be parked at the beach again.

New Plymouth

Yikes - 3 Malcolms!!

Kinetic sculptures in the gallery
 

Wind wand on the waterfront

Something more cultural today - we walked from our latest camping place, 5km from New Plymouth town centre, along the Huatoki Walkway to take in the Len Lye Centre. Enjoyed the Len Lye exhibits and art gallery, had a great lunch and sat on the waterfront by the Len Lye wind wand. Then walked the 5km back...time for a lye down?

Mt Egmont/Taranaki

mountain view from the bus this morning

visitor centre at Dawson Falls

us at Dawson Falls

Malcolm at the start of the 2nd walk

mountain view from the track

on the track

Life sized models in the machinery shed at Tawhiti

A bright sunny day in Taranaki. We did 2 bushwalks on Mt Egmont/Taranaki this morning with coffee and scones in between :-)  This afternoon we went to the Sealers and Whalers exhibit at Tawhiti (we've been to the general exhibit previously). This place is amazing. At the Sealers and Whalers you go in a boat amidst some life sized tableaus (with voices, sounds etc) that illustrate Taranaki's early history. Then we went to the machinery exhibit (interesting for guys)(and women who like tractors).

Lake Rotorangi

Lake Rotorangi - our first spot...till we sussed out a better one

Bush walk beside the lake

views from bush walk track

This morning - after the mist burnt off

yarn-bombed tree, Eltham

hairpin bend on the road out of Lake Rotorangi - luckily nothing else on the road

We are now in south Taranaki. We have been staying at some lakes and doing some bush walks. These photos are from Lake Rotorangi - accessed down narrow steep gorge with hairpin bends, then 11 kms of gravel road. No-one there but us. Amazing this morning watching mist rise off the lake.  We are now parked in Hawera and this afternoon visited a predetor-fenced lake reserve, Lake Rotokare.  The track didn't have many lake views though, it was all in bush and wetlands.