Let the Safari Begin

Leaving the weekend delights of Naenae behind us, we set off to take part in Pat and Thelma’s safari trip.  Stopping at Plimmerton NZMCA Park for the essential dump and fresh water, we traveled on, calling into home very briefly.  Someone who should have known better had left some milk in the fridge at home, and we didn’t really  think it would be in any fit state when we finally returned after 3 weeks away.  As it was a long weekend, there were lots of cars on the road, all coming towards us.  Many were at a standstill around the choke points by Otaki and Levin.  After driving 199kms we arrived at out stop for the night, the Wanganui East Club.  There were three vans on our first night away, Pat and Thelma, their friends Frank and Adrienne, and us.

Our first night away

The next morning we were on our way again, and started by driving over the Dublin Street Bridge over the Wanganui River.  As  far as bridges go, this would have to be one of my favourites, it always seems rather like it was constructed out of Meccano pieces.  Is it only me, or do others have favourite bridges in their travels too?

Dublin Street Bridge, Wanganui

Over the next two nights we stayed at Ninia Park-Over in Bell Block, New Plymouth.  This lovely property was previously a tamarillo farm, and has a lovely set up for campers.  Power sites are available, and there is also a Happy Hour Shed to gather in.  Geoff and Eileen joined us later in the evening here for the safari.

Staying at Ninia

While in New Plymouth, we always try to catch up with Robin’s school friend Gary and his lovely wife Glenyss.  They were off on a trip themselves the following day so it was lucky that they could squeeze us in before they departed.  Forgot to take photos of our visit, but quite by chance, their mutual friend John had sent through a photo showing four friends after a fishing trip. 

Those were the days!

We ran out of gas in the early hours and the fridge stopped working.  But instead of the loud insistent “beep, beep” that the fridge in our previous van made, this one just has a red light come on.  So a visit to get the gas cylinder refilled was on the list of things to do the following morning.  Along with a visit to the Laundromat, and to replenish a few groceries, it was a busy morning.

Refill time

We joined Pat, Thelma and their rellies for dinner at Sun World Restaurant on Wednesday night - a combined  catch up for Thelma’s family, and a farewell to New Plymouth for us happy campers.  Great food, and very reasonably priced, it was a lovely evening indeed.

Robin, Jenny, Eileen and Geoff at Sunworld Restaurant

Robin took us on a little tiki tour before heading back to camp.  We drove down to the waterfront in the twilight to see what we could see – which turned out to be  the pink tinged sky and a lone fisherman patiently waiting by his rod.

A study in patience

Would I get to see Mt Taranaki/Egmont before we left the area, I wondered?  There is a saying in these parts, if you can’t see the mountain, it’s raining, and if you can see it, it’s going to rain.  We certainly had more than our fair share of rain lately.  Robin drove up to Churchill Height's to see if we could get a view, and there the mountain was, unencumbered by clouds in the dusk.  What a great finale to our evening.

Mt Taranaki/Egmont