Off to Ohaupo

It was time for another road trip.  Robin had been given the “all clear” to drive after his knee replacement, and our caravan was waiting for us up at Ohaupo.  Romany Rambler had been driven up to Leisureline Ohaupo just a week before Robin’s knee op, and left there for some work to be done.  They kindly stored it for us until we could collect it again. 

I must say, packing the car for a trip away is so different than packing the caravan.  Various bags, two chilly bins, clothes on hangers, stuff for the cat, all had to be fitted into the car, instead of inside the caravan in drawers, cupboards and wardrobes.  It was finally all packed, and away we went.

 

How to get it all in here, we wondered

Gemma was put in the car too, and off we went, getting away at a reasonable 9.00am.  The weather was good, but cloudy, and  we didn't know what to expect further up the island, as Ex-Cyclone Lola was crossing the top of the country.  Our first stop was at Waiouru, we needed a coffee fix.

Coffee time

And the public toilets look just like a miniature version of the Waiouru Army Museum.  We came across a couple having words outside the facility.  The husband was insisting that he had handed the car keys to her, and she didn't know where they were.  Hopefully they sorted it out so they they could get on their way again.

 

Interesting designed public toilets

For a change, we decided to drive through National Park.  This is always a pleasant drive with much less traffic.  Arriving at Ohakune, the car pulled to a stop right outside the Chocolate Éclair Shop.  How did it know we just might fancy a chocolate éclair for lunch?

The world famous Chocolate Éclair Shop

We stopped at National Park Railway Station for lunch.  Our home prepared bacon and egg sandwiches were delicious, as were those chocolate eclairs.  Time for a couple of photos, the mountain was playing hide and seek under the clouds, not much to see at all.

There is a mountain under there, somewhere

There was a Kiwi Camp close by, so I went to check that out,  Plenty of power points, plus an ablution block too, you pay extra to use the facilities.  The camps are unmanned, and you must purchase a little pre-paid token to use.  And there must have been at least a dozen charging points for electric cars.  We haven't stayed at a Kiwi Camp yet, and I believe that some of them also offer laundry facilities too, not this one though.

Kiwi Camp at National Park

Driving along SH4 we stopped at this pretty little waterfall on the side of the road.  It would be so easy to miss this, so I'm pleased Robin knew it was coming up, and there was a pull off area to safely stop.

Waterfall on SH4

The nearer we got to our destination, the heavier the traffic was, and the rain had set in.  We had been warned that there were road works right outside Leisureline at Ohaupo, and sure enough there were road cones, workmen, and big machinery everywhere.  Arriving at 3.30pm we soon spotted the our caravan and checked in with John.  After the long drive up from home, we asked if we could stay overnight, it was raining, we were weary, and Robin's knee was complaining.  Of course we could stay, no trouble at all.  The car was quickly unpacked, bags carried into the van, and the kettle went on for a much needed cuppa. 

There it is, ready and waiting for us

John departed, and we were on our own.  Gemma was pleased to be out of the car too, there’s always grooming for her to do, then curl up on the bed.  We had a light meal, watched the news on TV, and were in bed at 8.30pm.  It had been a long day.

 

Gemma is tired too