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| Riding through Napier waterfront gardens |
After dropping Rocky & Daniel off at Auckland Airport, we had the night with W&K. We'd planned a bike ride for the next day but the weather was changing fast, so we managed a ride as soon as we arrived in Hobsonville, over the Greenhithe Bridge into Rosedale and back through Greenhithe to a local Pub! But sadly, still being a stat day and guessing staffing is still an issue for hospitality, it wasn't open. But the Bottle Store next door was, thankfully. Phew!
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| Cycling Upper Harbour / Rosedale |
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| One of Rotorua's Bike Hubs |
We returned to Waihi Beach before the skies opened and had a few more relaxing but wet days there before it got too much and everything was feeling damp from the sea spray. So we decided to move inland as the weather didn't look like it was going to improve anytime soon.
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| Oh! Oh! A wreck to fix a wreck 😆 |
And a good decision it was too, as Rotorua turned on the sunshine for the week we had there cycling and walking the trails. We enjoy Rotorua and have a great spot to park up at the NZMCA Ngongotaha site. We visited the bike hubs which were new to us - what amazing facilities they provide. Bill did have his peddle break off unfortunately as we did the Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest Trail and he left me at one of the Hubs (Perfect timing for a coffee) and off he rode on my bike back to our car so he was able to come and pick me up. There is always plenty to do in Rotorua.
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| Huka Falls walkway |
Just as the weather changed there, we moved on down to Taupo for a few days to do some more cycling and walking trails. This ended up being another week as were filling in till we could meet up with Elaine & Mark from Auckland in Napier. Also it took this long for Bill to find another peddle. The Suppliers struggled to supply one, certainly not a single peddle, and in Bill's price range 😂. Plus they actually have very little stock as they prefer to order in. And that isn't going to work while we are on the road. Bill found a recycling shop in Taupo (tried Rotorua), just around the corner from where we parked up. But the condition was, for $10, he had to take the whole bike! He left them the wheels for recycling and came home with the frame and most importantly, peddles 👏. He took the one he required, and delivered the frame and one peddle back to the scrap metal bin. Mission completed and Bill mobile once again.😊
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| Who is taking who's photo on Lake Taupo? |
NZMCA now have a new camp site at Taupo, just out of the Town centre, by the Taupo International Motorsport Park. Lovely big parking area that was pretty full most of the days we were there. The only down side is the racing, and in our case the racing practice. So we shot away to the top of the lake again to Whakaipo Bay for a couple of nights, much less crowded than when R&D were with us. We enjoyed cooling off in the lake as the temperature was pretty warm. Especially after Bill rode back from Kinloch. I dropped him off there as it's quite a ride one way, without doing the return trip, and this is the direction they encourage. Kinloch also have great coffee ⛾.
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| Oh no! Now the BBQ is falling to bits! |
We eventually headed down to Napier, catching up with Cousin Kevin's Deb ( Kevin sadly passed away last November). Bill helped out with a few jobs, including painting. Deb was super organised, so it was amazing how many jobs got done in the one day! Bill received some of Kevin's home brew as a reward 🍻
In Napier we parked up at another new NZMCA park near Meeanee and the beach front. Very handy to the numerous Cycle Trails Napier offers. The weather was stunning, hot and sunny. It continued while we caught up with Elaine & Mark who stayed at an Air B&B at Haumoana. Luckily they have some freedom camping near by for us to park up and catch up with M&E for four days. With Bill's big B coming up, Mark was keen to celebrate with Bill.
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| Nice little outfit Bill, to go with Kevin's beer. |
As a special for Bill's birthday, we finally got around to visiting the Art Deco Trust Building in Napier to learn about the 3rd February 1931 earthquake! An earthquake which my Father was trapped in at his high school. After watching the film of the horrible devastation, I had so many questions I would have liked to ask my Father, but sadly it's far too late for that. So much land was uplifted, giving today's Napier more land mass. We did the Art Deco walk around town the day before, Bill being our guide. he was a little hit and miss with some of the buildings😂, but overall he did pretty well.
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| A little wine at Craggy Range |
We headed out to Cape Kidnappers for lunch to celebrate B's 65th 🎂. Whoop! Whoop! Now he is on the pension too. We could afford to eat out.😉. We moved the Bus to M&E's B&B after making arrangements with the owner. It was a lovely relaxed evening with a wine or two and some nibbles. Mark & I even enjoyed a couple of Little Biddy's Gin's (Thank you Shannon).
After a great catch up, it was time to move on down south. To Waitarere Beach. We were joining Sarah & John at their Beach house. Bill was to put up the new flag pole, and a couple of other wee jobs. It was also time we picked up the kayak Bill had hidden under their batch for the past 8 years! Great storage Guys, thank you.
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| Two Chooks (and Elaine & I) at Craggy Range |
Onto Shannon and AC's in Wellington for the weekend before heading back across to the South Island. It was also when the skies decided to open up across the North Island, in particular Auckland and Northland with some serious flooding. Thankfully it wasn't too bad in Wellington. We managed to make it into town and catch up with old friends Chris & Marie for lunch. Another great catch up Guys, and exciting start to this year with your move to Christchurch. Good luck, and look forward to finding you there at some time through the year.
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| A little celebration for Bill's birthday |
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| Bill's bike excursion from Kinloch |
S&A took us out to a local of theirs that was having a "soft" opening to their new extension. Very pleasant. Except for the walk back home where we all got drenched, but thankfully it was all downhill and not far away. Sunday was a lovely relaxed day, fine enough to get out for a walk at least. Poor Auckland was still having major flooding and slips. Time to head back across the Strait.
A surprisingly smooth crossing at a far more suitable hour, and a night in Blenheim (to check out a Ute) and then on home to Nelson the next day. Our 8 1/2 years of traveling is coming to an end as our Tenants move out of Tahunanui Drive and we return once again. This time as Pensioners 😄
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| I'd like a chair like this in my garden 😀 |
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| Sarah supervising the raising of the flagpole |
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| Chilling with S&A |
