Taupo to Wellington (and Easter)

Monday 23 March. Omori Bay, Lake Taupo. " In Recovery"
 We spent a dull day on the shore of Lake Taupo catching up with Gst / blogs and paperwork. The DOC reserve is on the shoreline walk but this time of year saw only a few souls.
It's "the same old same old" even though the weather is goodish the holiday spots not on State Highway 1 are deserted. With a late afternoon walk round to Pukawa Bay to stretch,(the next beautiful peaceful spot full of batches) . Could've been a leafy bush suburb any where in NZ but deserted. Bird song was amazing, the residents are doing a comprehensive trapping regime in their pocket of bush, making a real difference to the bird life.
 Late afternoon saw us heading towards Tauramanui via highway 41 Kuratau junction, a new piece of road for us. The NZMCA has a spot at Piriaka which is nicely placed to go forth. Great for catching up on the laundry and chillaxing as the washing dryed.
Piriaka to Wanganui via a walk in Owhango. Did a walk thru a bush block of 2 hrs. Got talking to the trappers, older folk who weekly come in and clear the traps. They enjoy it as it keeps them busy, and really are doing something worth while, which DOC don't have the resources to do. On this day collectively they had cleared 5 rats over (guessing) a hundred traps.The bush was majestic with some truly big Totara and stands of trees not entirely identified apart from the Rimu.
Further down stopped at Raurimu to observe the world famous Rail Spiral, a great feat of engineering design, sadly not well observed on location, the Tauramanui "I" centre has an excellent scale model of it and of course using google earth gives you a good appreciation of its achievement in lifting trains in a short distance up to the Volcanic Plateau level. We then trundled thru rainy hills making Whanganui in the evening and finding" Picwick" a girl guide camp, which offered a parking spot  to motor homers. A few sheds on some land tucked in the small valleys of ST Johns Hill. Was securely off the road and quiet,with a few sheep, a definite "come back to spot".
We re supplied at Whanganui then went onto Waiinu.

Waiinu Beach Reserve

Waiinu - a small seaside holiday spot 30km. north, appears to be a purely constructed holiday spot as there are no old buildings etc, the houses all of a similar age are just there in a tidy grid with a big reserve area leading into the sandhills and beach. They encourage camping and though exposed to the south we spent two pleasant days walking the beach and reading books.
The beach is known for ventifacts and fossilised shells. As the sea bed has risen over the last few million years, coupled with the last ice age, exposing cliffs of shell fossil. On a clear day you can see the Marlborough Sounds but not whilst we were there this time.

Back thru Whanganui to Marton NZMCA in the middle of town, again wet with some real rain, the first we had seen since leaving home in 7 months. The plan had been to go to a local pub and watch the Cricket World Cup final, however from the opening ball listened to on the radio the excitement wained till finally we dined in dismal solitude in the bus with rain falling, and the Kiwis being taken apart by the Aussie bowlers.
The next day saw us walking the thriving metropolis of Marton High street. Well Sheryl got a coffee & I found an interesting book on antique firearms which I hope Sam at Hahei might enjoy as a belated birthday present. I had bought him some craft beer from Hotwater Beach Brewing then proceeded to drink it myself, sorry Sam, was a great party, hoping you didn't miss the beer & will enjoy the book.

As arranged for the afternoon we presented Big Yella for a mechanical inspection at Hunterville's local garage, allowing  the new owners to ascertain there were no issues to worry about, which there wasn't, and a discussion on the handover details the following Wednesday after Easter, not long now.
This is nearly upon us & viewed with some sadness by us both,  there has never been a day we weren't happy with our travels, but now its time to move on overseas and start a new chapter. There is definitely unfinished business in NZ but time enough for that.
Twas but a short drive to Otaki to catch up with cousin Sandra for two nights where we filled in our day with a beach walk and helped Sandra with some window latches & a towel rail, and Sheryl a little gardening. Thank you for your hospitality Sandra and will be back to finish the other work:)

Plimmerton Waterfront

From Otaki we braved State Highway 1 yet again, and as I've oft ranted what a pitiful stretch of highway into Wellington. Its like a choke hold on the country's Capital. (mind you, there may be an argument in there somewhere). We dropped into Plimmerton on a stunning day, what a scenic little spot. Had tasty F&C's on the waterfront gazing upon the distant shoreline of the Malborough Sounds.

Laundry day in Piriaka

Rare Whiowhio Ducks

The Raurimu Spiral

Raurimu Rex

 

 
 Awaiting Rocky's arrival with the Big Guys

Hanging out the washing at N&J's 

Was then a small trip across the hills into the big smoke of Lower Hutt, to spend Easter parked up with Nick & Jacky and a progression of kids for the Easter Break (Shannon locally & Rocky from Perth). Excited to have all the kids and Nana Joan together for a few days. With that and the added excitement of Nick & Jacky's new house (Possesion in May) it will be a buzz over the next few days. Roll on Easter Bunny.

Our three Darlings bonding

A misunderstanding Spit!

Easter Time- Jacky & Rocky first in.