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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Christchurch

Saturday we looked around the city centre, then drove out to Scarborough where we cycled the coastal Track to Ferrymead and back, then had a late lunch at a restaurant on the beach. 

Steampunk stuff in Christchurch

On the cycle trail...

Well deserved refreshments. 😊

But...Back at Weedons we lost all power on the bus! This is serous – no fridge, lights, water, charging... 

A visit to the auto electrician - he told us the solar panel had put too much power through the converter. Not something that can be fixed here easily or quickly so we decided to head home. Very disappointed!

Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail

We flew down to Queenstown in the South Island, then drove to Clyde. Five of us had booked e-bikes to ride some cycle trails. Clyde is an old little town, established in the gold mining days. First we had coffee then crossed the road to get our bikes. The shuttle took us to Cromwell, where we started the ride.

The trail took us to Bannockburn then back to the point oposite Cromwell. From here we followed the edge of Lake Dunstan, formed by a dam.

The ride was 38km and was 'interesting' in places...

We stopped for lunch here - bacon butties.

There was some climb and hairpin bends...

The dots (us) by the lake show the scale.

Jo, Allister, Malcolm and Neil.

Some of the track clung to the cliffs, there were also bridges over the side creeks. It took us about five hours to get back to Clyde.

 

New Plymouth Costal Cycleway

 More stunning scenery along the coast to New Plymouth (Bell Block). We cycled into the city for lunch, then back to the bus.

 

An Autumn Trip

 

Cambridge

We drove in beautiful sunshine to Cambridge and parked in the motorhomes area at Cambridge Racecourse.

Malcolm tries out the new moveable table he's built.

The next day was overcast but not cold. We cycled to Lake Karapiro (and back) finishing the Te Awa Cycle Trail that starts in Ngaruawahia - excluding the road sections. We have done the other two sections previously.

Plenty of autumn trees with colourful leaves.

We had lunch at the lakeside.