The road to Whanganui

Leaving our camp site Mt Taranaki loomed over the countryside, though it looks small in the photo!

We stopped at Patea to look at the waka sculpture and visit the museum...

this waka is very old, with markings common in Polynesia.

At Whanganui we freedom camped by the river...

...with this view :-)

The town is great to explore - nice archetecture, interesting laneways, sculptures, murals...

Malcolm checks out the peace memorial, made from ceramic handprints.

 

South Taranaki

Our next stop, Ohawe Beach near Hawera. We were one of the few people staying there - an old-school holiday park. It was windy in the morning but calm by evening.

Black sand beach and cliffs

We explored Hawera, climbing the 200+ steps to the top of the water tower...

...where there were great views all around.

Near the campground we discovered a historic military cemetery, soldiers form the 1800s are commemorated here.

A lovely spot to relax in the afternoon and evening.

 

The Hauraki Rail Trail

We took our bikes to the Firth Tower just outside Matamata and cycled the Hauraki Trail back to Te Aroha. This is the only part of the trail we haven't cycled before. It is mostly flat and goes through farmland.

The Firth Tower complex has overnight parking for motorhomes so when we got back to Te Aroha we drove the bus back and spent the night there.

We were glad of our e-bikes as it was windy and the wind was against us.

We passed some pretty buildings in the little settlements and had lunch at a roadside cafe.

 

Away in Wanderer

After weeks of work by Malcolm (with some help from me) we finally left home in our ‘new’ bus, Wanderer. We tow a Suzuki and have electric bikes so have travel options. We hope to explore by car and bike as well as travelling in the bus.

Our first overnight stop was just down the harbour at Parua Bay, where we had a relaxing afternoon and evening.

The next day we drove to Ardmore aerodrome, south of Auckland, stopping at Waipu for coffee at Goody Goody. We had lunch at the cafe at Ardmore then headed into a nearby shopping area for a couple of things – still sorting things out in the bus as we go.  We spent three nights at Ardmore, spending time with our friends Jeff and Sue who travel in their bus, Buster.

 

On the road again

 After trying to get the work we're doing on our new bus 'Wanderer' finished so we could get away for a break while the weather is still good, we gave up and had a break in our 'old' bus instead. We spent some time parked at Rainbow Falls, Kerikeri with our friends Sue and Jeff in their bus, Buster.

We always like to walk beside the river to the Kerikeri Basin and have a coffee at the cafe there. This is a view in the other direction where a 10 minute walk takes you to the road. Across the road is a really nice Thai restaurant where we went for dinner. (The track doesn't stop at the road there, it loops around beside the river and goes further on.

lunch at the Honey House Cafe.

Sampling some different vintages and varieties of our wine.

Our buses in the early morning light.

The waterfall at rainbow Falls. It's just beside the motorhome park.

On Saturday morning we went to Kerikeri Market. There are many stalls both outside and inside the old packhouse building. Here Sue chats to, and tips,one of the musicians entertaining the crowds. then we got coffee and cakes...

We spent our afternoons and evenings under our awning, relaxing and playing cards...

...even when the sun disappeared!

Because I drove a car up it was easy to get out and about, leaving the buses parked at Kerikeri. We drove to this walk which goes down to Marsden Cross/ Rangihoua Pa. This was where a mission station was built under the protection of the Maori chief and the tribe at the pa. The path wends its way down to the beach, giving stunning views of the Bay of Islands.

Part of the display in the information building.

On the track

It was a lovely spot for our picnic.

That's the cross put up in the early 1900s to commemorate the first Christian service held in NZ.

These boards illustrate what life was like at the mission station.

Hopefully our next trip away will be soon - and in the new bus! :-)

Ngawha Hot Pools

Leaving Awanui we drove past Taipa to Cable Bay, where we walked along the beach. There were sandy areas and rock pools.

Back in Kaeo we returned to the Mad Hatter cafe...

...then had a fossick in the antique/second hand/book shop.

I would need a lot of time here, which we didn't have, so will have to revisit another time.

Final stop on our tiki tour - Ngawha Hot Springs. This pool complex has been upgraded since our last visit a few years ago.

There were many small pools of differing temperature. Traditionally, as well as relaxing, the pools were known to have healing properties. The water in some pools was black, in others green. Temperatures were from 30-40 degrees.