Whanganui - Unesco City of Design, and Pipiriki

Whanganui is an unique blend of heritage architecture and cutting edge creativity.  Unesco has welcomed Whanganui to its Creative Cities Network, a first for New Zealand.  Congratulations, Whanganui, what a wonderful honour!

On our last full day in Whanganui, we invited Maureen and Russell to join us for a drive to Pipiriki and a picnic lunch.  It was many years since we had driven this road, so long ago that in those days it was a gravel road, although it is now sealed.  Narrow and windy, it took us through tiny settlements with interesting names, rather like those associated with the Grand Overseas Tours taken by young men of the aristoctracy in earlier years.  These interesting little places have now reverted to their Maori names.  Athens, now known as Atane, Corinth, now Koriniti, London, now Ranana, and Jerusalem, now Hiruharama.  We stopped at a lookout point along the way for a lovely view down the river.

The Whanganui River

One of the places we were keen to revisit was the Kawana Mill, in fact, we wondered if in fact it was still there, after all these years.  Luckily it has been well cared for by the NZ Historic Places Trust.  This is the only remaining one of six mills  dotted along the river to mill corn and wheat grown by the Maori people back in the day.

Kawana Mill and Waterwheel

The Miller's Cottage was close by but locked up tight, so we could only peer through the windows.

Miller's Cottage

From here we continued on to Pipiriki and found a nice shady spot in the picnic area to eat our lunch.  This little settlement is the hub for jet boat rides up the river.  We met up with friendly young German tourist who had arrived with her bike off the boat and was planning to cycle to Whanganui - wonder if she realised just how hilly the road was?  She kindly agreed to take our photo for us.  

 Robin, Jenny, Russell and Maureen at Pipiriki

In the grounds was the remains of a totara canoe which used to ply the river, this is just half the remaining length.  And could carry 100 Maori warriors, the sign told us.

Remains of a Maori canoe

Across the road from this rest area was a hotel building which we remembered from our earlier trip all those years ago.  It was never completed, and the story goes that the locals warned that if the building project went ahead it would be razed to the ground.  Why, we are not sure, but there was obviously conflict between the owner/developer and the local population.   So here it sits, still in this condition.

The abandoned hotel project

WE decided that instead of returning the way we came, along the very narrow and windy road, we would take the longer way back through Raetihi and the Paraparas.  There was certainly evidence of the big slips which had come down on the Paraparas a year or so ago, but the damage all seemed to be resolved.  There was another stop along the way, to stop and admire the Raukawa Falls at the lookout.

Raukawa Falls

It was a long day but we eventually arrived back in camp just in time for 4zees.  In fact, Geoff was sitting outside under his awning and had started before us.  We fired up the BBQ to cook our steak, and after dinner gathered outside again in the cool of the evening to enjoy each other's company.  It had been a great day.

Whanganui is an area with a very strong connection to the river.  There is a saying here which sums it up.  "The great River flows from the mountains to the sea.  I am the River, the River is me,"

Whanganui Vintage Weekend

 Friday morning and it was time to move on from Dudding Lake to Whanganui Racecourse for the Vintage Weekend.  There were half the number of vans on site compared to the previous year, we were told, probably because of another NZMCA event in Marton.  When we arrived, we mentioned we were three vans traveling together, so we were placed right next to the race course itself.  

Our three vans on the end of the row

The rest of the attendees were parked in a different area, they all seemed to be squashed up together, I thought.

Everyone else was parked here

On Saturday morning  the two of us together with  Russell and Maureen  walked the four blocks into town to view the vintage cars parked up on Victoria Avenue.  It was another very hot day, and we joined the throngs all admiring the various cars on display.  People were everywhere, some in 50s costumes, some with dogs and children, and plenty of vintage age people on sticks, all intent on checking out the cars.

 

There was plenty of entertainment too, to keep the crowds happy.  Some were dancing to the music, and we noticed that others had brought their folding chairs along, to sit in comfort and enjoy the music.

One of the bands performing

By this stage we were all quite hot and bothered, and luckily found an empty table in one of the very busy cafes and thankfully say down.  Iced coffees for Russell and Maureen, an iced chocolate and a chocolate milkshake for me and Robin certainly made us feel a lot better, together with a sandwich for lunch.  It was nice to sit down and get out of the hot sunshine.  The two guys had a hankering for a hot dog from the food stalls, so we joined the crowds again .

Bratworst in a bun

By this time we were more than ready to head back to camp, but couldn't face the long walk in the hot sun, so traveled back in style in a taxi.  No sooner had we arrived back and the rain came down in torrents.  That kept us inside for a while.  Geoff was showing off his Christmas tee-shirt, and I just had to take a photo.

We are all getting older, Geoff

There was so much going on over the weekend in various venues, we just couldn't see it all.  We missed the steam traction engines, there were boat rides on the Whanganui River, art exhibitions, tram and double decker bus rides, and planes flying overhead.  Something for everyone.

Dudding Lake

 Its been so many years since we camped at Dudding Lake, just a short 45km drive away from home, and  we were pleasantly surprised just how nice it was.  Mind you, the camp management has changed hands several times over the years, and all for the better, it seems. 

Dudding Lak

 Day trippers are welcome to this domain, and the camp offers both powered sites and non powered sites.  We opted for a non power site, around the side of the lake.  What a lovely view we had.

A lovely off power setting 

The lake must be very healthy as we noticed plenty of bird life, and the frogs serenaded us in the evening.  How often do we hear frogs, we commented.  Their calls are quite soothing really, soft croak, croak, croaks.

Another view of the lake

Geoff and Eileen arrived later in the day and decided to take a powered site.  They came and joined us for 4zees, and it was nice to catch up with them again, we hadn't seen them since our Christmas Rally.  We were both camping overnight and moving on to the Wanganui Vintage Weekend.

Geoff, Eileen and Robin

Gemma enjoyed quite a happy time outside safely on her lead all afternoon.  There were ducks to watch, and then she rather liked settling down under the caravan, I imagine she feels safe and secure under there.  Then for a change, she likes nothing better than sitting in the caravan doorway, snoozing, or taking in the sights.

Gemma is happy in the doorway

After our evening meal we sat outside with a glass of port, enjoying the cool of the twilight, and listening to the sounds of the happy frogs in the lake.  It was a lovely finish to a pleasant day.

Damson port, made by granddaughter Megan

Time to head home

On our last day in Napier, we went out to lunch with Helen and Owen.  Where to but the “world famous in Hawkes Bay” Silky Oak Chocolates.

It was hot and sunny, a typical Hawkes Bay day, so we sat outside the café under the awning.  Even under the awning it was so bright we needed to keep our sun glasses on to stop us squinting.  The age old question, what to order?  Robin ordered a BLT and I had a salmon roulade, and of course we needed one of their delicious iced chocolate drinks as well.

Our delicious lunch

Helen, Jenny, Robin and Owen at Silky Oak\

We called into the Chocolate Shop to buy some drinking chocolate, and to be honest a few little chocolates came home with us as well.  The staff member told us about the flood rushing through the buildings during Cyclone Gabrielle a year a go, and showed us how high up the internal walls the water rose.  All the stock had to be thrown out of course, and the business was closed for six months while repairs took place.

The following morning we packed up, said our goodbyes, and headed for home.  Just prior to Dannevirke we stopped and waited, and waited some more.  I guess that we were held up here on the road for a good 15 minutes at least.  What was wrong, we wondered?

Waiting, waiting

Onwards traffic rolled towards us, then finally we were given the all clear to proceed.  The workers were laying asphalt, what a hot job that must have been in the conditions.

Hot work on the roads

We stopped for lunch at a lay-by at the beginning of Dannevirke.  Oh look, there’s a fine looking Viking to welcome us.  While we sat relaxing in  the van eating our lunch, a couple of ambulances and police cars, sirens blaring, rushed back the way we had just come.  Obviously some sort of accident, lucky for us we were off the road when it happened.

Lunch stop at Dannevirke

On our way again, we headed over the Saddle Road.  Plenty of wind turbines were turning lazily on the top of the ranges.

Saddle Road

Then it was an easy drive the rest of the way home.  The caravan was unpacked in the stinking hot Levin weather, the first load of laundry was put on, and then we sank into our seats to get our breath back – whew, it was so hot and sticky!  We certainly didn’t notice the heat while driving with AC on.  That’s our Christmas/New Year holiday done and dusted.

What’s Happening in Napier?

The NZMCA Eriksen Road Park has a very large grassed area, set with rows of trees here and there breaking up the park into smaller camping areas.  Over this busy Christmas time of year there are plenty of visitors staying for one night, or several.  Popular additions to the camping holiday are electric bikes, and the family dog.  We even noticed another cat on a lead, not too far away from us.

Staying in Napier

We settled down on site and did some exploring in the first couple of days.  Top of the list was a visit to Arataki Honey, where Robin can get his  honey jars refilled.  We got a jar of Manuka, Rewarewa and Blue Borage, that will keep him happy for a while. And we picked up some more comb honey, it’s not always easy to find, so we  buy it when we can. Occasionally, bus loads of tourists descend on the Honey Centre too, making things very busy indeed for staff, but not this time, it was fairly quiet.  Our jars were filled quickly, and we were soon on our way.

Arataki Honey

Next on our list of places to go was BIrdwoods to their old fashioned sweetshop, always a favourite.  We wanted to replenish our supply of blackballs and acid drops, which we like to keep in the car.   This establishment has a gallery, sculpture garden and café as well, but we headed straight to the ice-cream shop.  It was typically warm Hawkes Bay weather, so an ice-cream was declared necessary, and we enjoyed a mixed berry ice-cream, served in a tub.  Better on a hot day, it means it didn't melt and drip all over me as often happens. 

BIrdwoods Sweet Shop and enjoying an ice-cream

One of the things on our “must do” list was to catch up with our Hastings family again.  Niece Lisa had arranged to collect her Dad from the rest home and had booked a table for us all at The Duke of Gloucester pub in Taradale, a favourite of theirs.  It was so nice to see Dennis again, husband of my late sister Kathleen, and Lisa with her grown up family, Adam and Kate.  We pondered over the meal choices, and eventually decided.  The meals were huge and several doggy bags got taken home with the leftovers.

Family lunch

Caravan Club members Helen and Owen arrived on Saturday, and parked up beside us.  There was plenty of catching up to do, as we hadn't seen them since our Christmas Rally in early December.  It will be nice to have some company for the next few day.

Two Heretaunga Club Leisurelines

The following day Owen and Robin went to visit Doug from the Hawkes Bay Caravan Club, whose home was badly impacted by the floods last year.  Doug and Owen are members of the Zephyr Car Club, so the three of them no doubt spent their time chatting about all things car related.  In the meantime, I went out with Helen and her family to visit the Sunflower Farm on their Open Day.  So many people had the same idea, all vying for a car park.  We joined the hordes of people all walking up  the path, getting up close and personal amongst the tall, nodding sunflowers.  I had never seen so many, and everyone was entranced with them.  It was free entry to wander amongst the flowers, and when leaving the sales table was very busy.  At $2.00 a stem, two sun flowers came back with me, although I did wonder what I would do with them in the caravan.  No tall vases here in the van, so I put some water in Robin’s glass beer pint, and they are pride of place on the kitchen bench.

 

Amongst the sunflowers with Helen

Taupo to Napier

The Otorohanga kiwi masquerading as Father Christmas waved us goodbye as we departed, heading for Taupo.

Goodbye Otorohanga

Our next stop was at the NZMCA Taupo Racecourse Park, for the next night.  The weather was fine and sunny and we were parked next to another Leisureline, and joined the friendly couple for 4zees. 

Staying overnight at Taupo Racecourse

Packing up the next morning we drove across the Napier Taupo Road, 150kms.  The scenery was a mixture of flat plateau land, farmland, forestry and native forest.  This road was damaged last year due to Cyclone Gabrielle and was closed for 5 weeks.  Its been a while since we have towed over this road, and I had forgotten just how long it was. 

Driving through Esk Valley at the end of the trip, it was devasting to see the damage done to this pretty, former agricultural area.  Gone are the orchards and vineyards, houses damaged beyond repair stand looking like those in a ghost town. The floods brought down unbelievable quantities of contaminated silt, which damaged the houses and productive land and is now in piles everywhere.  There is still such a lot to be done to repair the land and buildings, so sad.

Piles of silt everywhere

Napier is well known for the Art Deco buildings, and the double row of impressive Norfolk Palms each side of Marine Parade.

Marine Parade

We will be staying at NZMCA Erikson Road Park for seven nights.  This is quite a large camp and has room for about 180 vans.  There are a couple of places we want to go, and to catch up with my late sister’s family as well.  Napier usually has excellent warm weather, so it would be nice to have some sunny R&R for a few days.

All set up for the next wee while

Not too far from the camp is the Filter Room which makes cider and beer.  There is also a restaurant attached and we took ourselves out for a meal, we are on holiday after all, that seemed a good excuse.  I decided to try a glass of cider, but which flavour?  Peach, I decided, and Robin tried a lager.

The bar at the Filter Room

Our meals were delicious, fish and chips for me, and Robin chose sticky pork ribs, a huge serving but he managed to eat it all.  We had only ever had take-away fish and chips from this establishment before, so it was nice to try a sit down meal for a change.

Pork ribs and fish, the meals were very generous

It will be nice to stay put for several days and not have to pack up and get on the road for a while. 

Happy New Year and looking back

Wishing all our friends, readers and fellow bloggers a Happy New Year!

We spent a very wet New Years Eve celebration our nephew Shane turning 60 at his home in in Te Awamutu. .  It is a tradition in this family to prepare and cook a hangi for special occasions, and this Shane did with a little help.  Not a “hole in the ground” traditional hangi, but rather one cooked in a stainless steel container, heated with gas, but still using the wet sacks as usual.

Cooked food is under the sacking

The birthday dinner was served, chicken, pork, lamb, potatoes, pumpkin and kumara from the hangi, with salads and bread rolls.  Very nice indeed.  Shane really wanted a birthday cake with 60 candles, which would take a bit of lighting them all.  So out came the trusty blowtorch, which soon got the job done.  Perhaps not really recommended though, there was concern that all those 60 wax candles would be melting into the top of the cake.

Let’s get those candles lit!

Shane is the eldest grandchild on the maternal side, the first child of my late sister Kathleen and hubby Dennis.  It was a lovely evening, catching up with Shane’s friends and close family.

Robin, Jenny, Shane and Kirstie

Looking back on the last year 2023 we had quite a few adventures.  We spent 10 weeks in the beginning of the year traveling around the South Island.  In fact this time last year we spent New Year’s Eve 2023 at Star Tavern, Cape Foulwind, with fellow bloggers Irene and Ian  who write Free Spirit blog..

New Years Eve 2023 with Irene and Ian

We had a marvellous trip, exploring new places, revisiting old favourites, catching up with family and friends.  We got caught up with the Cook Strait ferry cancelation problems on both our trips there and back, these problems seemed to go on and on for months and put the holiday plans of so many people into disarray.  Transport of freight between the two islands was quite disrupted too.

Returning home in early March, we got back into the swing of things with attending caravan rallies with our club, Heretaunga, and also met up with the ICA group for two rallies.  We also enjoyed attending meetings with the Probus Club, and lunches out with our Super Leisure Group friends.  Robin continued with his Menz Shed days and driving the Health Shuttle.

A family highlight was the wedding of Robin’s niece Hannah to David in March, and all meeting up again the following day for a casual lunch, with a host of wonderful crayfish supplied by the brides father.  Honestly, I thought I was in heaven, even more so when I was encouraged to take some of this delicacy home with me!

 

Robin’s second knee replacement in August kept us close to home and away from caravanning for a couple of months as he slowly recovered and got on with his rehab.  Luckily he was able to drive and tow the caravan again in time for our 40th Wedding Anniversary trip to Rotorua in November.  Highlights of this trip was High Tea at a posh hotel, a marvellous anniversary dinner at the restaurant at the top of the cable car and the Redwoods Tree Walk.

High Tea for two

All in all it’s been a good year.  Robin has recovered well from both his knee replacement operations, and the pair of us are doing well, with just a few minor niggles, not unexpected as we are all getting older.  We are looking forward to more fun and adventures in 2024.