Christmas in Wellington December 2022

Rocky & Daniel at Miyazu Gardens Nelson

 Rocky & Daniel flew into Auckland the week before Christmas. The plan had been to stay with Uncle Wayne & Aunty Kate, but W's Covid changed that. A quick booking of an airport hotel allowed them in and out of Auckland pretty efficiently, although the time difference (5 Hrs) almost caused a missed flight the next morning!

Nana telling a great story 😊

Bill & I met them at Nelson airport and as they'd hardly eaten, we were straight into the Speights Ale House for a delicious lunch. Our friend Fran had kindly offered her home once again to the homeless Tylers. And her neighbour across the road offered her driveway to park our Bus up as we continued to stay in it.

That afternoon we visited Joan. Her dementia varies so much from day to day. Although she often struggles to remember what she did yesterday, or what day it is, she does remember the Family. So Rocky had a lovely catch up with her Nana.😍

Great catch up with Aunt & Cousin

The seven days they had in Nelson before crossing over to the North Island were full on for R&D as Rocky wanted to show Daniel every part of Nelson / Tasman and Golden Bay 😚. We walked up the Centre of New Zealand which gives visitors an appreciation of Nelson and it's harbour. Rochelle managed to fit in a trip to Golden Bay, via Harwood's Hole (an adventure in it's self) to catch up with good friends from Western Australia - Jana & Drew and their 3 gorgeous children. Also staying the night in one of their Glamping Tents which is Jana & Drew's new adventure after a few long years of planning and bringing it altogether. Check out driftoffgrid.com for their luxury Eco Glamping experience.

Michele, Daniel, Nathan, Kris & Rocky
at the Bannings - where is Nora 😮

Tylers Road Trip to Picton

A water taxi ride & walk in the Able Tasman was on Rocky's list, combining it with catching up with school friend Holly & partner Sonny. Here it was discovered that Daniel had never been up a mountain, and Holly being an energetic outdoor person (along with Sonny) made a plan to go up Ben Nevis (1619m) two days later. But in between, as a day off, R&D borrowed Bill's and my ebikes which they loved. When we were over in Aussie, Rocky had me on their tracking app so she could keep an eye on us when we were over there. Making sure we never got lost! So I did the same with her phone while she was here, and saw their trip to Rabbit Island had a few interesting turns on it. 😂.

Picton looking all Christmassy but a tad wet!

Daniel loved the trek up Ben Nevis, not sure Rocky was as rapped. Although hot and sunny in Richmond that day, the four adventurer's had all 4 seasons up the mountain as mountains quite often offer. A reminder of always being prepared. And take your jacket Daniel!

 After catching up with old friends Vicki & Trevor and their Families home for Christmas, we headed over to Picton late afternoon. All four of us in the Bus, towing the Suzuki. Onto Wellington  on a 2.30am sailing Christmas Eve. A new experience for us all. Not much to do that time of night / morning, even after trying to catch a couple of hours sleep parked up across the road from the Ferry Terminal. Thankfully we only had a ten minute drive to Shannon and AC's once we arrived into Wellington soon after 7am.

What you do on an overnight ferry trip 😴

Christmas Eve in Wellington City is reasonably quiet, so there was plenty of space to park up the Bus across the road and park the car in S&A's building. Thank goodness for the lift - making it easy to take all our food and gear up to S&A's 5th floor. Shannon and AC headed away Christmas Eve to his family in Auckland so we had missed seeing them by a couple of hours but kindly allowed us to make ourselves at home for Christmas.

Not a great start to 
Christmas morning 😟 

With no little ones with us for Christmas  (I know Rochelle, you'll always be my Wee Girl), Santa doesn't have too much to deliver these days. It was nice to have a relaxed Christmas Day looking out over a picturesque Evan Bay. Rocky unfortunately wasn't feeling the best (had to drink most of the wine myself so it didn't go off) . Bill took Daniel for a bike ride around the Mirima Peninsula for the morning. With Daniel having being away from his usual activity of surfing most days, we (Rocky & I) realised Daniel needs his surfs to burn off his accumulating energy! Therefore we had to keep planning to keep Daniel active or he didn't know what to do with himself. 😏

Bill & his mate Bentley

The weather was so lovely, even I got into the sea along with Rocky & Daniel in the afternoon out to the new pontoon opposite S&A's (well I got into the water - didn't join R&D out to the pontoon). Bill just relaxed with Bentley on the beach. Well Bentley relaxed with Bill, not sure Bill relaxed with Bentley.😉

R&D out paddle boarding Evans Bay

Boxing Day bought in a pod of Orca into the Bay - a wondrous sight. Daniel was out on AC's paddle board but away far enough from the Orca's to believe they were just big dolphins. You haven't had that experience at home Daniel 😲! We packed up after lunch and headed up to the Godfather's for the night, at Ohau. He hadn't checked out Daniel as yet, so thought it was high time he meet his Goddaughters partner after 9 years.

Beautiful day's travel thru central North Island

John & Sarah had both their boys home for Christmas, and Finn's partner Hannah. It was a lovely catch up for us all. And thankfully, Daniel passed Rocky's Godfather's assessment. We headed off separately the next day  for Taupo - R&D in the Suzuki and Bill & I in the Bus. It was a perfect day (maybe a tad hot in our unaircon Bus) for travelling through the Rangitikei / King Country through to the top of Lake Taupo to Whakaipo Bay. Note to self: don't travel at this time of year again, the traffic just crawls through all the small towns, starting up to 10km out of each town. R&D did manage a quick dip in the Waipakihi River just before Turangi - it would have certainly brought the body temperature down a degree or 10.

Water a tad cold Daniel?

Bill & I have stayed at Whakaipo Bay Doc Camp a few times, and being after 7pm on December 27th, we were a bit worried about how busy it would be. Well! It was busy alright. But that time of night, we still found a wee spot for small Bus and a tiny tent, and we mingled amongst the masses. But I must say, for all the campers there it was a pretty quiet night

We were up and away the next morning, heading off separately once again so Rocky could show NZ off to Daniel on their way to Tauranga - our next destination. We stayed with brother Wayne (now over covid) & Kate, son's AJ (and 3 x Girls) and James & Katie (and their Alsatian -  Lexi) at a house they were hiring. R&D were staying with Paull & Marta at their home, along with Simon & Nicki (and 2 x Girls). Thankfully P&M have a pool which we all spent most of the next day after a morning walk around the area as the day heated up. Daniel managed a surf at the Mount on a borrowed board off a friend of Paull's. A wee taste of surfing in NZ this trip. (Daniel was out 5 years earlier with a mate to surf some North Island beaches.

A little crowded camping at Taupo

A Daddy / Daughter moment 💕

The next day a group of us headed off to Rotorua to do the Luge - a fun day out. Paull unfortunately had had an operation on his hand which prevented him from participating, so he kept his Aunty company while everyone else in the group went luging. Someone had to take photo's! After our return to Tauranga, we headed onto Waihi Beach to catch up with another brother/uncle Graeme & Claire. 

Boy's moment - Great Nephew. Brother,
Nephew, Hubby and Nephew

It was lovely to be parked up on the beach once again, although a little sad this time as it will be our last stay right on the beach with G&C moving on from here to their own home in March a couple of streets back. But gratefully still in Waihi Beach 👏. Daniel managed another couple of surfs here too although the sea was a little rough. 

Abby & Ben were over from Aussie too, along with great niece Evie ("do you know I'm turning 5 soon and going to school"💕) and great nephew Charlie whom we hadn't met before. It was lovely catching up with them all too. They departed for Auckland for New Years Eve as R&D departed for Tauranga to Paull & Marta's once again. We stayed on at Waihi Beach and saw the New Year in after a crappy movie G&C. Good company though 🍾🥂🎉🎈

Great way to spend a hot day -
with great Nieces

We managed to catch up with Shannon and AC at Tairua (before the flooding that cut them off at Matarangi on the Coromandel) for lunch the day before R&D flew back to Aussie. Again note to self - DON'T TRAVEL THIS TIME OF THE YEAR! We crawled for about 20 minutes into Tairua from the South, and S&A from the North for an hour's lunch catch up. At least on the way back to Waihi Beach we called into a few Bay's to show Daniel some more surf beaches - I think  a return to Whangamata is on the list for next trip.

Fun day out in Rotorua - at the Gondolas

The next day, it was back in the traffic to drop R&D off at Auckland airport. A sad goodbye (even sadder was the coffee in a very grubby McDonalds 😒) - Bye bye till you're next out Rocky & Daniel or we come back over.🤞 It was lovely having you over to show NZ off at it's peak time.

Bill and Daniel sharing a photo shot!

Yummy left overs
(you can guess which ones were for Bill)

Enjoying our last days on Waihi Beach
Front with Graeme & Claire

Looking out over Pauanui from Tairua Lookout

Wellington & a trip to Matiu / Somes Island December 2022

Enjoying the view from S&A's in a comfy chair 😆

 Earlier in the year, Shannon invited us for a weekend on Matiu / Somes Island in the middle of Wellington Harbour in December. As the bookings have to be done early if you want one of the two houses, which we did as you can't predict the weather. There are 12 tent sites but we left those to the harder people of which there were only 3 others that weekend.

Lunch before crossing out to the Island

December is always busy enough getting ready for Christmas and this weekend came around surprisingly quickly. I booked Bill's and my flights to cover a few days either side of our adventure to the island so we had time to check out Wellington too. I was pleased I had as the weather was perfect for the whole week.

Shannon & AC had also invited friends and colleagues Pip/Micky/Kelvin to join us. And the plan had changed to just one night on this historic island which worked well. We caught the Electric Ferry, Ika Rere, down on the waterfront after a delicious lunch and refreshing beer. I used my Gold Card once again for my return trip, which takes just under the hour.

All aboard the Ferry to Matiu / Somes Island

Arriving on the Island you are met by DOC Staff as the Island is predator free and they wish it to stay that way, so everyone has to empty their bags and check they have no stowaways or foreign seeds or plants that could become invasive on the island.

Our accommodation and view

Shannon and AC trying to hide
their excitement😉 

We headed off to find our house which was a basic Doc house that was used for staff and now tourists. It had everything we needed, including a bbq which we would need to cook our dinner later😀. Then we headed off to explore the island. This was our second visit to the island but just as exciting as the first, looking for Skinks, Gecko's and Tuatara. The island has a lot of history starting with the Maori who used the local islands as strategic Pa sites as they were easy to defend until  the New Zealand Company took it over in 1839 and renamed the Island from Matiu (named after one of Kupe's daughters) to Somes Island. ( Doesn't sound as beautiful). The NZ Government used the island as a quarantine facility for humans before becoming one for animals coming into NZ. The buildings still have a lot of history and stories to tell.

A little history in the making was the walk around the island, where Kelvin and Bill took a side track onto the top of the hill, where there was a huge gull nesting, and none to happy about them getting too close, but its protector was up for the challenge and divebombed Bill, a little unnerving, with a well placed shite, delivered onto the back of his head with such force it permeated through the hat fabric and actually caused a hot urea? rash on his neck. Ow and yuk...they beat a hasty retreat.😖 

Walking the tracks on the Island

Bill cooked food (no not the offending bird) on the bbq as the rest of us put together a combined dinner. It was nice to meet the others ( We knew Pip from Shannon's Uni days) and listen to the woes and highlights of their jobs in Government. All sounded very full on but they all seemed to thrive on the pressure. Wellington City is a small community really, so nearly everyone knows who is who in Government. They were all looking forward to the break on the Island.

Bill in his happy place

After dinner, some of us relaxed and read books, others went looking for the Penguins and Tuatara's which like to come out in the evenings. It was lovely looking back to the City lights which was so close but you felt so far away. And the stars, which unfortunately had a bit of cloud hiding some of them, were amazing.

Our little friend

The next morning after breakfast and packing up, we caught the morning Ferry back into town. Although the visit was short, the Wellingtonians felt like they had a decent break. It is a special place to visit, and so handy to the City centre but you feel like you're a world away. A lovely weekend thank you Guys.

With a few days up our sleeves and Shannon and AC working, we did get out for a few walks and caught the Bus into town one day to have a look around Parliament as we hadn't been down that way for a while. The buildings and gardens are beautiful. And to our surprise we found there was an event on just outside the Beehive. We caught the Black Ferns celebration of their win of the World Cup with Whanau and friends and lots of school children all enjoying the event. A nice use of Parliament's gardens instead of Protesters! 

Parliament Grounds awaiting the Black Ferns

Shannon heading out to the new pontoon.

Wellington was looking very Christmassy with it's street lights and the Pohutukawa's were such a vibrant red - beautiful. As I said the weather was perfect and as Wellingtonians say "You can't beat Wellington on a good day"😍. 

Shannon and AC spoiled us with a couple of dinners out and showing us their local spots that they enjoy. All so handy. It was a lovely week thank you S&A. We will be back in a couple of weeks of course for Christmas but sadly S&A won't be there, so this was our Christmas catch up too.

Stunning sunset from Evans Bay

The Pohutukawa's on show

Island mode of 
transportation
Kelvin giving Pip a ride

R&R Totoranui November 2022

Relaxing while waiting to catch that big one! 🐟

Port Tarakohe

 Port Tarakohe is always a good start and finish to any trip over Totoranui in Golden Bay and this time of year is perfect before life starts getting hectic with holiday makers. Our Doc Pass was coming to an end at the end of November so we decided to have the last week of the month at Totoranui. Always a great place to relax.

The camp that gets full over Christmas with 800 odd campers was surprisingly empty with around 30 motorhomes. There were a few Trampers walking the Able Tasman and passing through, or catching the Water Taxi or getting dropped off.

The perfect spot!

 So we had no problem finding the right spot to park up - down the end by the Estuary. 

It was very restful, particularly without all the sandflies of the West Coast.

Bill tried a little fishing but sadly no luck. I managed one short swim in the Estuary which was very enjoyable as the weather had certainly warmed up.

Bill in the kitchen again 😄

Great spot to fish from even if the fish don't think so 😒

A few books got read and a wine or two drunk, we came back out to Port Tarakohe after 6 nights and got organised to head out on the water in the morning with JOR (Jolly Old Rod) from the port in his boat and try our luck fishing out in Tata / Ligar Bay.

Rod & Anne have a very restful Bach at Ligar Bay which is nice and handy to Port Tarakohe. The morning was perfect and still. We spent 5 hours trying our luck. Plenty of spiny dog fish (a type of shark) tried to come home with us, but we threw them back as quick as we could as Rod had a rule - no dog fish on board his boat!

Golden Haze ready to launch

But luckily Rod also put a long line out when we first got out on the sea, so when we pulled it back in - we got 5 lovely snapper, one huge. Bill smoked some of it.  Delicious 🐟 And some to take home too. Thanks Rod for a great day.

Well done Bill! Opps - I mean Team 😄

West Coast November 2022

   

Doc Camp Kohaihai

 We parked up the Suzuki in Nelson and headed down the West Coast in our Bus to meet up with John & Denise, in their Caravan, for a week or two. The weather was finally looking settled, so it was a go.

The Coast Expeditionary Force

After the night in Westport NZMCA beach camp we proceeded to Kohaihai, the start of the Heaphy Track,for 3 nights.   We love this DOC camp, you park up looking out over the Tasman Sea, which can at times be a rough west coast beach at others, a mill pond😉 The only draw back are the sand-flies! Even with smoky fires.

It had been many years since J&D had been in this neck of the woods, but the walk into Scotts beach reminded them why this was held in high regard by all who visit.

A little bike ride up the road
(no one had money for a coffee 😞)

Denise, Bill & John on Scott's Beach

A little challenge and entertainment

We were entertained by Doc workers who came in with a helicopter and moved a new water tank from where it was delivered at the roadhead, to be flown into the Heaphy Hut. With bad weather over winter a lot of the track was damaged so it's been a full on job to get the track restored and an upgrade to some of the facilities, ready for the summer trampers, - like a new water tank to cope with the increase in trampers on the walk.

Bill enjoyed setting up a couple of fires on the beach, which is a great spot to watch the sunset, star watch and see Elon Musk's sky train head over above us amongst the thousands of other satellites,  fortuitously by this time the sand-flies have gone to bed... mostly.

Moira Gate Arch

Moving on from Kohaihai, we headed to Karamea for the night. But before this we headed off in J&D's car early that day, leaving the Bus & Caravan at the camp to enable us to head up into the Oparara Basin to see the caves.  The road was under repair and had been closed through the week, but Bill & John had talked to the Road Crew to come through at 10am (Smoko) and they'd let us through. But after waiting half an hour and no sign of any crew we headed in hoping we wouldn't pass anyone on the newly graded road,  we didn't😉

We had a couple of hours exploring and walking on the tracks around the Moira Gate Arch and Opara Arch - both impressive caves. A picnic lunch was enjoyable with all the bird song and sandflys. Bill was disappointed not being  able to get into the crazy paving cave to see the spiders that are now under protection to see what impact all the visitors are having on this environment. 

 We parked up at the Karamea Hotel  late Friday afternoon when the bar & parking were pretty empty. By the time we went over for dinner - the place was buzzing! All of Karamea was there 😃. J&D checked out the local Saturday Market before we moved over the hill, Gentle Annie, onto Seddonville, the weather changing to misty rain, so were pleased to be back over the hill, the road having been badly damaged with the winter storms. 

A full bar at Seddonville 😂

 Seddonville has a population of approx 170 people, so we weren't sure how busy the only Hotel in town was going to be and where we were hoping to watch the Black Ferns vs the Red Roses in the final of the Rugby World Cup. And would the Locals watch women's rugby? 😕 Although busy with Patrons for dinner it quickly emptied out to leave just 8 of us (including the Proprietor) to watch the game which was played well by the women in both teams. Very exciting. Well done Black Ferns 👏

Sunset at Mokihinui River Mouth

The weather cleared in the morning and we moved onto Gentle Annie Camp Ground on the Mokihinui River for 3 nights, allowing for a laundry catch up etc.  This camp is a little pearl.. our second time here, we will undoubtedly be here again. Positioned at the Mokininui river mouth it is idyllic placed with good facilities 

Gentle Annie Camp

Friends Sarah & Shane from Charleston visited on their Moto Guzzies for a days run. Yet again as our recent catch up after many years, the conversation continued to  flow.  

John & Denise - and support person 😁

Great location to ride up to the Charming Creek Walkway and walk with J&D who drove up as they had ridden the day before (39km return). Plenty of memorabilia of the trail's mining and milling history. Unfortunately due to a huge slip, the track is not open all the way through these days. Bill rode his bike though, which was a bit of a challenge in places, especially when he ended up on his butt in a creek at one point! No photographic evidence unfortunately 😕  

New stone wall at Kay's at the Cliffs

Moving on to Cape Foulwind, after restocking at Westport we parked up at Kays Villa at the seacliffs down the lane from the Star Tavern. This POP is magically located high above the mostly inaccessible beaches , but on the Kawitiri Bike trail. However we elected to walk the Cape Foulwind track on a dampish day as we all had recently biked this part of the cycle way. It also is being enhanced with a new boardwalk section round the cliff area, another reason to be back this way on another trip.

From here we made tracks in the direction of Greymouth stopping into the Pancake rocks or more correctly these days the Punakaiki rocks. These are well presented with  excellent sealed tracks and presently being built a swish visitor centre and much more parking. Our weather was holding well but still managed to observe some very large swells blowing up in a hiss of salt spray.

Punakaiki Rocks

 We didn't get much further as using our trusty app to locate, found a deserted freedom camp spot right on the beach. We encamped and took a drink to the beach to be then greeted by many new comers ..so many that by the time we came up for the evening meals we had at least 10 neighbours.. The tourists are returning.

Still heading south we stopped at another beach which purportedly had some interesting rock formations , we indeed were able to observe from a distance as the tide wasn't right to easily access them.

Geology 101

 The beach walk was still  well worthwhile and noted as "another day" visit. Greymouth finally, and a nicely located freedom camp across the river from Town with good parking very nearly on the forshore with a toilet block for those needing it. Next day saw us wandering the town, and heading to the Monteiths Brewery for lunch. Slighty poignant for Sheryl and I as last time we were  here was May with Cousin Kevin and Debs.... Kevin after a heroic battle has left us. We will miss CK.

The fellowship was on shaky ground now with us looking north once more and J&D looking south to look up some friends in Hoki.. we said our goodbyes and after a satisfying dump  and replenishment headed home but not before another night in Westport NZMCA camp just to break the haul up.

Oh!!!

Hanging out in Lyell Cemetry.
(soon after sandflies had sucked us dry)

Denise upstaging the Kohaihai Bridge

The Units been serviced again

Return to Spring in Nelson and around - October 2022

Our favourite spot - Marfell's Beach 

 We arrived back to a wet Auckland for a couple of days catching up with Brothers & Partners. There was time for a bit of a look around at the changes to central Auckland – even with the rain. So much development to lower Queen Street – a very different place to when Bill & I were living there in the early 80’s.

A bit of snow on the Kaikoura Ranges

We flew back into Christchurch a couple of days later and picked up our Bus & Car after 3 months in storage. The Bus was fine but the Suzuki sulked with a flat battery but otherwise all good. Weedon’s NZMCA Park is the perfect location to store our vehicles. Very handy to the airport.

New local café in Richmond

I thought I had a head cold (tested negative to Covid) so Bill did the running around before we headed off the next day up the East Coast. Although not a lot of sunshine in Aussie while we were there, it was warmer. Snow showers came through the Kaikoura ranges as we headed north. Quite scenic, although cold. We stayed at Marfell’s Beach to recover from our colds which dragged on so I think it was more hayfever.  The weather was beautiful so it was a relaxing few days before returning to Nelson.

Joan having a moment with her son 😍

We had a couple of weeks back in Nelson catching up with Bill’s Mum Joan and others and caught up on a few jobs that may be surprising we do have even with our lifestyle. And after carrying around our Kayak on our car roof for some time and not actually putting it onto the water, we finally decided to drop it off for the next few months till we return home full time next year. Bob kindly obliged us and has taken it into his “storage” facility! We owe you Bob, thank you.

Spring in Tasman - Pippa's Garden 🎕

Labour Weekend we headed down to Christchurch for the Big Band Festival – staying at Marg’s and  Helen &Ralph’s a couple of nights. I had attended this festival 3 years ago when Bill, Shannon and AC went rafting down the Clarence. I enjoyed it so much I had wanted Bill to experience it too. Bill was keen to go through the Molesworth to Hanmer and onto Christchurch which we did about 4 years ago. He was very disappointed when we found the road closed for Possum control! What!!So back onto the main road and down the Kaikoura Coast. 

Christchurch Square

Marg, Bill & Ralph checking out the local eels
in the Avon in the City Centre

It was another great music festival and a chance to enjoy Christchurch city centre once again. Met up with my school friend from college – Dianne whom we have reconnected once again after about 20 years.

Enjoying some of the festival
 with Dianne

Caught up with Cameron & Georgia in their new home and Michele & Nathan with wee Nora, and a lovely lunch with Helen’s sister’s and a brother (I’ve known them since I was 3!). Then  it was time to head back to Nelson. As the weather wasn’t going to be good anywhere around the country, we decided to drive through Lewis Pass home. It was snowing until we reached the top of the pass, where it just rained the rest of the way home.

Repairing the awning
(I was ready with camera in case it was one
of those moments 😆)

Another couple of weeks back in Nelson for Bill to work on T&V’s van fridge with a gadget to monitor who knows what! Luckily he does. Got our awning repaired which Bill managed to make it look easy even though I was waiting with the camera in case it all went to custard like a blind that unravels. Time for a quick weed spray at Tahunanui Dr before heading off to Motueka for the Bus to have repairs & a service before it’s COF. This involved a night in the workshop – quite a different spot to freedom camp. We haven’t got the invoice yet! So it wasn’t really free as such! But all went well with the COF, so we are all good to head off to the West Coast shortly.

 

Freedom Camping in the Workshop 😉

Which one to pick?😄
And our choices are only going to get better with time!