First trip in new motor home - Dunedin to Ak

Tom with our new motor home at Lookout over Port Charmers

We flew to Dunedin mid May to pick up our new (old) Motor Home  - we had a good direct flight down arriving to a beautiful vista of autumn tints. The colours are so much stronger down south than up here in the north.

Nice open living area, plenty of window

We arrived at Toms with half an hour of daylight left to give the bus a final look over (and my approval confirming Bill had made the right decision that it was suitable for us after soooooo many disappointments.

Very comfy

The layout is very similar to Big Yella with extras.
The skylight is great on a dull day

We had decided to spend the night in the bus rather than book somewhere else in Dunedin, and asked Tom if he was ok with that as the Bus is parked out the front of his home. He said he had better than that (what! better than sleeping in our new home!!)- and offered us a bed in his home. He also had dinner on for us so we couldn't even get the chance to take him up the road for dinner. Tom was a good raconteur, with plenty of stories to pass the evening, then a sauna in his basement before having a good nights sleep.

Parked up outside Joan's home in Richmond

Unfortunately it was raining in the morning, but Tom & Bill, under an umbrella, managed to check the outside over and Bill had a run through on how everything worked. After a quick visit to Briscoes for a few items (pillows & towels) we were off to Christchurch to catch up with H&R once again. They have the perfect spot for a Bus to park up, so we keep returning, plus they are wonderful hosts. We had a good run through to Christchurch, with no issues. After a 6.00am start to the next day to walk the hills of Cashmere in the dark with H&R, some breakfast, we were on our way to Nelson.
Bill's mum Joan had had a fall recently, fracturing her knee cap so was having to take things a bit slower, which is not her style. Bill's brothers and wives had been helping her out and getting some extra help for her to keep her in her own home. We were expecting to see a fragile old lady on our arrival, not this sprightly smiley lady. She has such a positive attitude, and a healthy lifestyle, that she is mending well. We had a couple of nights parked out on the street in front of her place, which worked well for us to have some time with Joan, cook some meals and sort a couple of little issues out.
We managed to get Joan, plus all 3 of Bill's brothers, wives, a niece, plus friends to meet out to Rabbit Island for a lovely day. Reminding us of our earlier days living in Nelson, regularly picnicking at Rabbit Island with the kids and lots of other families. They were always good days, and even better when you have a Bus to make a cuppa - sorry Pippa & Trudy, I took so long. So many people to show the bus off to of course!

Perfect reflections from the Honest Lawyer

Then it was off to P&J's for the night at Kina, and to give Annabelle a ride in what she thought was "Bertie the Bus", not sure of the name Annabelle but pleased you enjoyed your wee ride.
Bill had a day helping his brother Alan on his roof, while I managed a walk with Vicki, perfect day for a coffee at the Honest Lawyer and lunch back with Trevor. It was a beautiful Nelson day, confirming this is the place we will finally settle back into at a later stage. Great to finally catch up with you too Fran after all this time, and share a little red.
Bill had organised the fitting of a tow bar before our arrival in Nelson, so dropped the bus off first thing Monday and headed off for a walk before morning tea on Bob's deck looking over stunning Tahuna and catching up on all the Kayaking Club's news ( or was that the Yacking Club's news Bob?)
On our way to the ferry, Bill made a detour checking out an inflatable boat in Picton, complete with motor. It was pouring down when we arrived, so Bill headed up the drive to check it out with instructions "if it's any good come back and get me to look" - next minute Bill's back with the paddles! I guessed at that point we had purchased an inflatable. As Bill says, "it was just too good a bargain not to get it". So we now have a boat that takes up half our living space! Think it will be back on Trade Me shortly.

Boat & motor taking up ALL the couch

Part of Wellingtons Lux 2017 display

It was a super calm crossing over to Wellington, arriving at peak time (5.00pm) but easily made it around the waterfront, past Evans Bay to the Marina just along from Shannon & AC's new place (didn't get to see as they don't take over till July). Perfect spot for self contained motorhomes to park up, as was confirmed by the dozen or so on our arrival.
Shannon & AC picked us up and took us into the city where we had a lovely meal. Jacky joined us briefly too, which was nice to catch up on everyone's news, We wandered around Wellington city after dinner looking at the LUX 2017, a light display throughout the city celebrating light and winter - exploring Wellington in a new light. Wellington was vibrant even with a wet cold night - you can't keep Wellingtonians inside for long!
On our way out of Wellington the next morning, we caught up with nephew Adrian & family who are currently living in their Bus in Paraparaumu. Their 3 gorgeous girls are growing up fast, and life on the road seems to suit them all. It's just poor Renée who has to deal with commuting, but at least it's only 3 days a week Renée. Thanks for the coffee AJ

Time for a coffee with great nieces
 Lucille and Alejandra

Onto  Taupo for the night, where we spent the morning walking into town & back along the waterfront with freezing cold wind blowing. The lake was not appealing for a swim with it's cold white capped waters, but having lunch in our new home in the sun looking out over the lake was.

Parked up at Waihi Beach trying out the awning,
great view of the roof.

It was onto Waihi Beach for the weekend to join brother Graeme & Claire. This was really the first chance we had to have a good look at our new bus and organise things to suit us. Also to see what we wanted to change further down the track to better utilise the space this wider vehicle had compared to Big Yella. We had room to put up the awning that is almost new, Tom had it made for the Bus but only used it 3 times in the 10 years he owned it. It will be a great spare room when any one wants to come and stay. It was lovely catching up with G&C again, thanks for your hospitality and sorry we wouldn't stay inside the house. We were just too excited to be sleeping in our own home again, with a great diesel heater. Something Big Yella didn't have but was on our wish list.
On our way back to Auckland, we popped into a business to look at rust removal and paint touch ups, plus will give it a good polish - so it is booked in on the 6th June for it's make over. Watch this space for more photo's next blog.

We are back in Auckland for roughly another month, parked up in W&K's street - not sure what ever the neighbour's think!! W&K have been here 30 years, and no one has previously parked their bus in this street. Great we are the first! Sorry W&K, you can pick your friends but not your family!

A suburban street of Auckland enhanced with our Bus
(and our trailer to the left, and car in front)

Enjoying local sights in Auckland

A Beauty - needs a little TLC

We have been in Auckland 7 weeks now and the time has gone fast while we wait to head down south to pick up our next motorhome.

Allan & Nicky with Bill on the
Te Ara Tahuna Estuary Cycleway

Cyclone Cook thankfully wasn't as bad as expected here in Auckland and we ended up with some lovely weather over the Easter Break. W&K left us for two weeks home alone, while they went down to brother G's in Waihi Beach, but we managed to survive ok without too much hardship.

Under pressure for lunch -
and an Easter treat-
it was off to KFC in Kate's sportscar

We caught up with my other brother Allan & partner Nicky for a local bike ride in their area of Wainui/Orewa, the Te Ara Tahuna Estuary cycle/walk way that follows around the Orewa Estuary. This 7.6km trail has plenty of information boards about the areas past and the significance the area had on food gathering for the local Maori with the river and sea. Being Easter there were a lot of families out walking / biking, which was great to see.

Love the different leaf textures/varieties
in the gardens on our local walks

The weather was perfect for the ride, as was the much needed drink at the end of the trail in one of the local Cafe's in the area. We then headed back the last 15 minutes of our cycle ride to A&N's place they are renting in Wainui, while their own place is being built. Not an enviable task up this way with so much construction being carried out, it would appear costs are always on the increase- not great for home owners.

Port Albert jetty out to the M.V. Kewpie Too

Reading the local papers, I came across the advert for cruises on the Kaipara Harbour, which is an hour north of where we are staying. Sounded very interesting and as the weather was predicted to be looking good, we headed on up there on the Thursday after Easter.

View from the top deck of the vessel - bit cool

The cruise was in the largest harbour  in the Southern Hemisphere with one of New Zealand's largest inland waterways, where the early pioneers to New Zealand were promised a wonderful new start to life. But they were mostly disappointed with the remoteness of the area and lack of any infrastructure. Many at that time (1862) arrived at Port Albert (Albertlanders), but soon returned to Auckland rather than struggle in such hardship. It didn't take the steamers and sailing ships long to get set up and service the river ways and mills that took advantage of the abundance of huge trees in the area, including the magnificent Kauri's, almost depleting the whole area.

One of the many cemetery's in the area

Today there are the remains of these Kauri Mills and Maori Pa sites, and of course plenty of cemetery's, among a few holiday towns mostly owned by Aucklander's.
It was a 4 and 1/2 hour cruise on the 17m "M.V. Kewpie Too" with 15 other passengers, and well worth the $35 fare. The Captain did a very informative commentary of the area's past, and although New Zealand is very young compared to Europe, it was very interesting and certainly scenic.

Steve helping us blow up ballons
for Alex's party (What more could
a two year old want in life!)

We have been able to enjoy a 2 & 6 year old's (two great nieces of mine) birthday party's, which were more of family catch up than hard out partying. Enjoyable all the same. Enjoyed our catch up with friends Julie & Steve in Kohimarama, thanks Steve for the help with the balloons! Nice to see the new build, but will be better still when we can catch up at your batch in Rangiputa sometime soon hopefully.

Auckland City from the ferry as we headed into town

A well  earned lunch after our
 City Walking Tour
Wayne & Bill in disguise

Staying in West Harbour, we are only ten minute walk to the ferry that heads into Auckland. What a pleasant way to visit the city, taking you right into the centre. Our plan for the day was to do a 3 hour Walking Tour of the city, then catch Wayne for lunch at one of the many cafes/bars along the waterfront. We had expected it to be really busy with it still being school holidays and the World Masters

Lovely Pohutakawa trees in
Albert Park needing a little support

Games being on, thankfully it wasn't. We joined 12 others with our guide Julie and off we went. A very pleasant stroll around the back streets of the city listening to Julie detailing the city's past through to the present. Even though we lived here 30 years ago for ten years, we learnt a lot. It was a perfect day for our walk and then our lunch down on the waterfront. Auckland has a very picturesque waterfront these days thanks mainly to the America's Cup sailing races in 2000 which invigorated the city.
After catching up with nephew Luke at his apartment in the heart of the city, we then caught our ferry back home, avoiding any congestion on the roads/motorways. Best way to travel here in this large city, and not too expensive. It was a wonderful day out.

Tough day on Waihi Beach

Thoughtful pose by Bill on our walk over to Orokawa Bay
Waihi Beach

On the 1st May (May Day) Bill & I returned to Tauranga, along with brothers W&K, G&C, and A&N, to spread Mum's ashes. We had a lovely lunch with a glass of bubbles in her memory at a Club she enjoyed a meal or two with my brothers in the past. Bit sad my first time there, was without Mum. That evening we returned to G&C's at Waihi Beach and had a nice warm bonfire on the beach under a beautiful clear starry sky.

Wayne, Bill, Nicky, Claire & Graeme, Allan, Kate & I
Having a drink for Pat

This coming week, we fly to Dunedin to pick up our new home, not long now. Just to clarify, the picture at the top of this blog is not our new home - next blog will reveal all. Watch this space!!