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.

 

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! :-)

Wharepuke

Just up the road from the Stone Store we found Wharepuke Subtropical Garden and Sculpture Trail. It's an interesting half hour wander through rare and unusual plantings with sculpture dotted amongst them.

Malcolm wonders if this one could actually fly.

 

Te Ahurea

Another nice walk along the track from Rainbow Falls to the Kerikeri Basin. Another coffee at the Honey House Cafe, admiring the cottage gardens and lots of fluffy ducklings. The staghorn ferns on this tree were amazing.

Across the footbridge to Te Ahurea, described as an interactive pa site

This area had reconstructions of homes and a meeting house

There is an extensive garden area with lots of signage to identify the plants and the uses Maori made of them.

Also viewing platforms amongst the palisades, looking across the river.

There's also a jetty built into the river beside this canoe house, with waka trips planned for the future.