Bell Block, New Plymouth

Leaving Manaia behind us, we travelled north through rolling green paddocks stocked with dairy cattle.  This part of New Zealand is the milk producing capitol of the country.  Our first stop was at Eltham, to stock up at the Mainland Cheese Bar shop.  But is it opened, we wondered?  That looks like a couple of fire engines outside the factory across the road from the shop.  Factory workers were streaming out of the building, and we presumed it was a fire drill.  Seems it was not a drill at all, but a fire had started in one of the roller doors.

Fire at the cheese factory

Luckily the cheese shop was not affected, and we looked around the refrigerated units to make our choices.  Looking closely we spotted some good bargains,  such as some Special Reserve Camembert, and some Kikorangi blue on special.  Plus some of Mainland’s 18 month aged Tasty at a very good price.  Can you guess that we are very partial to cheese?  With purchasing our bread from Manaia and cheese from Eltham, we were certainly helping out the local economies.

We love cheese

We had arranged to meet Geoff and Eileen at Inglewood for lunch, and there was room for us to park up opposite the station.  Inglewood seems a pleasant little town, and we will be returning in a day or two to check out the Toy Museum when we have a little more time to spare.

Lunch stop at Inglewood

It wasn’t long before we drove up the drive to our next overnight stop.  It was certainly a “wow” moment as the magnificent home came into view.  John and Marilyn’s impressive French inspired home won  the supreme award for House of Year in 2012.  The six of us camping in this POP were invited to join them for Happy Hour on the patio, and then Marilyn kindly gave the ladies of tour of her home.

  The home of our POP hosts at Bell Block

Heifers in the adjacent paddock

Geoff and Eileen hooked up in the morning to continue on to Auckland.  Off they went, with a wave goodbye.  We are staying in New Plymouth till the weekend to have a good look around, and catch up with friends.

Getting ready to move on to Auckland