Thames Town

A peaceful and pretty morning at Ray's Rest then we moved to Kopu Golf Club, near Thames, and took the car into the town.

The town still has many historic buildings but has good cafes, shops and some quirkiness. 

The town was founded on gold. We took the Goldmine Experience tour, around an old stamper battery and through mine tunnels.

Then we looked around the town some more...

...there were lots of murals.

 

The Firth of Thames

Day 1 of our latest trip - first stop, Ray's Rest - a freedom camping place on the Firth of Thames, near Miranda. We relaxed with a wine, then went up the road to Kaiaua for takeaway fish n chips...

...which we ate back in the bus. Malcolm fed the scraps to the happy seagulls...

There was a full moon and a pretty sunset.

 

Wanderer day 4

Leaving the campground we drove through the stunning Waipoua Forest. We didn't stop to visit the giant kauri as we were here (by car) a couple of weeks ago. The drive through the Wekaweka valley was beautiful. This was early morning so pretty deserted.

We drove from the west coast to the east, parking at the NZMCA Park at Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri. Then it was our usual walk beside the river to the Stone Store Basin for lunch at the Honey House and Ice Creams at the Stone Store.

The walk goes past the waterfall and through bush...

From our lunch table we looked across at Kemp House, once home of missionaries. Charles Darwin visited them - some of what he said about the place was on the back of our table number. This is a historic spot and we love it here.

The Stone Store, as well as being a museum is a store/shop.

Boats in the basin under the pa site.

Kemp House flowers.

After walking back to the bus we chilled until friends called round for a drink and then we went out to a local restaurant to celebrate Malcolm's birthday.

The next morning, another hot, sunny day, we drove home, our little trip done.

 

Wanderer trip day 3

We cycled around the lake in the morning, it's around an hour. The track varies from wide to narrow, gravel to sand and bare rock.

The next stop was a small campground in the Waipoua Forest by the river. A very quiet spot.

 

Wanderer trip day 2

We drove north to Kaihu and parked outside the village hall. We drove the car + bikes a bit south to Mamaranui, where we saddled up for the ride back to the bus. This ride was mainly along quiet country roads.

back at the bus, we put the bikes on our other bike rack and drove back to the car. All hooked up again we made our way to Kai Iwi Lakes where we had a place booked for the night. After lunch we walked around some of the lake...

(Malcolm's short cut)

...and I had a swim to cool off.

 

Wanderings in Wanderer - day 1

Travelling again in our bus, Wanderer. First stop, across the country from Whangarei - Dargaville - for coffee at Blah, Blah, Blah.

We cycled the first part of this trail (in red) from Dargaville and back.

The track follows the route of an old railway line, here's a bit of old railway stuff - not sure about the al fresco toilet! :-)

We stayed at the Dargaville NZMCA Park. Two old boat builder's sheds remain here. This one is a place for members to lounge, swap books, have happy hour etc. We were off to town for dinner.