Moving on to Opunaki

There was a bit of a treat on our final morning at New Plymouth.  There seemed to be a bit of police dog and handler training going on – that was worth checking out, I decided.    So I walked up and asked if I could take a photo of the dog.  Guess an old lady on a walking stick didn’t look too threatening to those big strong policemen and the dog.  No problem at all, the handler walked his dog over closer to the fence and instructed him to get down, so I could take a quick photo.  He certainly was a fine looking animal.  We had noticed aa sign on the enclosure next to where we were parked up saying “Police Dogs only”, and were told that they come here to train as it was neutral territory.

Police dog training going on

Then we were on our way – first stop to refill our gas bottle, go to the dump station, and then we followed Surf Highway 45.  This is quite an interesting road, passing several small beach towns on the way.  Oakura Beach holds special memories for Robin, as he spent quite some time at this surf beach in his younger years doing Surf Life Saving training.  We stopped for lunch at Cape Egmont Boating Club, pulling into a large grassy area with two others in our party.  There were plenty of cars and boat trailers dotted around.

Lunch time

The boat club has a replica lighthouse attached, which also serves as a museum, not open when we were there as it it run by volunteers on an occasional basis.  I climbed up the ramp and got a good view out over the beach and boat ramp.  That’s where the fisher-folk go to launch their boats and try their hand catching those elusive fish.

Replica lighthouse and museum

Looking down over the boat ramp

After a relaxing lunch we continued on our way around the coast to Opunaki, passing hundreds of small rounded hills in the paddocks, as far as the eye could see..  These were created by ancient lahars flowing from Mount Taranaki.  A lahar is a rapidly flowing mixture of rock debris and water (other than normal streamflow) originating from a volcano

Small lahar mounds

Our ICA group all trickled in to Opunaki Beach Holiday Park during the afterrnoon, found our allocated sites, and settled down for our first afternoon here.  The peace was shattered when a Life Flight Rescue helicopter landed in the motor camp car park.  Seems an ambulance was called in first, and then needed back-up from the helicopter.  Sadly, one family's holiday is now in tatters.

More Happenings at Naenae College

Our rally continued at Naenae College over the weekend, and we certainly couldn't complain about the weather.  It was hot and sunny, and everyone was so pleased having the large shady trees to shelter under.  There was a momentous occasion when Harry Shackleton, patriarch of the Wairarapa Caravan Club, was awarded Life Membership of CCNZ (Caravanning and Camping New Zealand).  Harry and his late wife Lorraine had been involved in CCNZ, our parent organisation, for many years and he had served on the Executive Committee for quite sometime.  The award was presented by Alan Dale, Keeper of the Records.  All this came as a complete surprise to Harry, and to most of us present.  Many congratulations Harry, this award is richly deserved.

Alan Dale and Harry Shackleton

We had two guest speakers on Sunday evening, first was Tamsin, who is in charge of the special needs unit at Naenae College,  “Te Whare o te Atawhai”, and had been working here for 13 years.  Eligible pupils get funded and can stay at the school from the age of 13 years till 21 years, although most opt to leave after 5 years or so.  Tamsin related the trials and joys of working with these children, and finds it a marvelous fulfilling role.

Our other speaker for the evening was Taylor, who is the Property Manager of the college.  He is also a Kaumatua, and teaches Kapa Haka, rugby, soccer and golf.  I was amazed when he related he could trace his Scots ancestry back to the time of Mary Queen of Scots, and told of one of his forefathers arriving in New Zealand in the mid 1800s and marrying a Maori girl.  Taylor was such an interesting speaker and is justly proud of both his Scots and Maori heritage.  In fact he showed me his family tree on his cell phone, scrolling back through pages and pages.  That is real family history indeed, going back so many generations.  Many apologies for the blurry photo, obviously my camera was misbehaving on the night.

Taylor and Tamsin

Gemma wasn't the only pet at the rally.  Here she is trying her best to get into Dot’s camper van, but her lead only let her in the door. She really would have liked to get further inside, but……. that's as far as she could get.  The other pet at the rally was Judith and Alan’s lovely rescue dog.  Half Jack Russell and Papillion, this litter was kept in awful conditions before being rescued from the puppy farm.  He is a gorgeous dog, although still a little shy after his bad start to life.  He has found a good home with Judith and Alan and is much loved.

We must thank our sponsors for their generosity to our club in donating items for the Regional Rally, it was most appreciated, and certainly was a big help.

Our sponsors for the rally

After the Closing Ceremony on Monday morning, it was time to take the club photos.  Here’s our club Heretaunga, what a lovely bunch we are!

Heretaunga Caravan Club members

We said our goodbyes, packed up and drove away.  We have another rally to attend very soon, the ICA Rally starting in Urenui in a few days time.  What a busy life, it’s all go at the moment!

Christmas in Kiwitea

It was nice to spent Christmas with the family this year, in rural Kiwitea, just north of Feilding.  We took the caravan up to Nicky and Robert’s smallholding, and with a bit of manouvering the caravan as tucked in behind the house. 

On the farm for Christmas

Grand-daughter Emma loves Christmas so knocked on the caravan door door  bright and early on Christmas morning.  This family always have a Christmas tradition of hot croissants with ham and cheese for breakfast,  delicious indeed, so much so that we have borrowed their tradition when we have Christmas on our own.  Then came the presents, and what a stack there were.  We ended up with a whole pile too.

Christmas presents galore

Robert has just been made “Master of the Hunt” and was thrilled with his gift of a new bridle in the club colours, and the plaque attached with his title. 

Robert, Master of the Hunt

Dog Noodle was thrilled with his gift too.  Every year he gets a pink plastic pig toy and one squeak from the parcel was enough to get him excited with anticipation, and he could hardly contain himself.   There wasn't much left of piggy by the end of the day, but he certainly had fun.

Well and truly destroyed

Christmas lunch was a feast of BBQ chicken, glazed ham, salads, yummy desserts and a glass or two of bubbly, eaten picnic style outside under the shade of the gazebo.  The girl’s boyfriends were there too, so it was nice to get to know them a bit better.  Also invited were some neighbors who live alone, so it was quite a lively bunch.  We were fit to bursting after lunch and I must admit to a nana nap in the afternoon.

Poor Gemma was traumatized by the household cats.  The older cat PK (Psycho Killer) had gone missing for several months and only just returned home.  Meanwhile, the family had just acquired a young kitten, so both of the felines were rather put out with each other.  And then, we arrived with Gemma in the caravan, so there was a bit of hissing going on and Gemma couldn’t cope with this at all. We decided that it would be better for Gemma, and our peace of mind, if we kept her in the caravan, well away from the other two cats.  But that didn’t stop them from coming to the door, ready and willing to sort out this townie cat who dared to enter their patch.

PK on the caravan doorstop

Life on a farm doesn't stop jest because it is Christmas.  Thee were chickens to feed, so I went to help with that.  We could hear the chickens clucking away behind the trees in their chicken yard, quite a soothing sound, really.

Daughter Nicky with one of her chooks

Robert went to collect two steers to fatten up on Boxing Day.  And there was baleage to deal with, holidays or not.  It was mowed today and will be baled and wrapped tomorrow.

Hard at work in the hot sun

We had a lovely time here in Kiwitea, eating our meals on the picnic table under the gazebo, enjoying the warm sunny weather, and generally relaxing with the family.  It’s almost time to move on, where to next, I wonder?

Pauanui is rather Posh

The trip from Waihi Beach to Pauanui is only 80km, but seemed to take us forever.  The narrow winding road took us  up and down hills, around lots of corners, keeping our speed low.  We were off to Pauanui to join the other ICA members for the Christmas Rally.  Both Bill and Vaal and ourselves arrived two nights early and got ourselves settled on site.  We enjoyed a Happy Hour together in the club bar.

Early birds at Pauanui Club

I had never been to Pauanui before and Robin’s last trip was many years ago in another life, so we took ourselves sightseeing.  The holiday paradise of Pauanui is a resort town designed and built with relaxation in mind. Lying on a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and a shallow tranquil harbour, it is across the water from neighbouring Tairua, although it's 30km by road. Red coloured roads welcome visitors into this town, which was built for the wealthy and well heeled.  Just how many places have an airstrip for those private planes, with hangers built into the homes?  Certainly not something we see in our hometown.

Private plane on the private airstrip

It’s not just airplanes which are catered for in Pauanui.    There is an area of exclusive real estate built around a series of canals, with private moorings for each home owner. It’s certainly rather posh here in Pauanui.

Pauanui canals

As the washing machine at the camp was out of action, we drove to the next town of Tairua with our laundry bag.  Not at all successful as it turned out.  As we put our gold coins in the slot one by one, the amount still showing was not reducing – what to do except keep adding more cash.  We went to the café next door to while away the time with a cup of coffee, then put the washed laundry into the large dryer.  Despite two cycles it came out warm but still wet, so needed hanging out in the sunshine on our return to camp.  I was not at all happy with my laundry experience at all, certainly would not recommend this facility.

Tairua laundry

There was a bright spark found on our trip to Tairua, we followed the sign to the ferry.  The Tairua to Pauanui ferry was not operating at the moment, but it certainly looks like it would be a nice little trip.

Tairua to Pauanui Ferry

Back at camp later in the day we had quite a fright,  we were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine and Gemma was with us, sniffing around the grass and trees while safely on her harness and lead.  Another camper’s dog, running loose, came barking and running over to Gemma, baled her up against the fence  and goodness knows what would happened if we had not been outside too.  Luckily Robin intervened, shouted out to the owner, managed to pick the dog up by his harness, and gave the owner a piece of his mind, as I did too.   It was all rather upsetting.   All campers should be aware of the rules which clearly state all dogs should be kept on a lead, as we do with our cat too, no excuses. 

Adventures in Taupo

Our safari numbers have now dropped to four caravans and one motorhome as people left us to continue on with their plans.  Leaving Piriaka we traveled along SH41 and came across a sign for the Waituhi Lookout.  Up, up the narrow, winding, overgrown road we drove, towing our big van behind us, hoping we wouldn't meet another vehicle coming down, almost driving blind as we couldn’t see round each corner.  Arriving at last at the top, a tiny area open to just a small number of freedom campers, with a tower to climb to see the view.  The view was beautiful, native forest as far as the eye could see, with mountains in the distance.  But we wouldn't recommend driving up to the Lookout with a big rig, it was a rather hair raising experience.

View from the Waituhi Lookout

We were staying at Taupo Airport NZMCA site for the next two nights, always a favourite of ours.  It was lovely to find out that friends Andrew and Debbie were also staying here – they are now the proud owners of two cute little Rag Doll kittens.  So we had plenty to talk about, but sadly, omitted to take any baby photos.  However, there was another blue point Rag Doll cat camping a few vans away, this one was two years old, the same age as our Gemma but so much bigger, and goes on holiday with a fifteen year old Border Collie.

Nearby neighbours

We had quite an adventure today when we went to find the Kaimanawa Wall, quite a drive up the Napier-Taupo Road, turning into a pine plantation, and then driving through native forest onto Clements Mill Road.  No cell phone coverage up there, (let’s hope nothing goes wrong) but the native forest was stunning.  The GPS told us when we finally arrived, but where was this mystery wall ?  Perhaps by that green sign we drove past?

Clements Mill Road

We found a clearing to turn the cars around, and settled down in the sunshine for morning tea.  The manuka trees were in full bloom, and the area was buzzing with bees.  I’m sure some enterprising beekeepers have hives placed in this area to take advantage of the manuka.  Robin placed his camera on the table, set the timer, and rushed back to his seat in the nick of time before the shutter went off.

Helen, Owen, Jenny, Robin, Dot, Pamela, and Don

Then it was back into the cars again to see the fabled Kaimanawa Wall.  According to the Dept. of Conservation sign, “the rock formation has been scientifically established to be part of a large Ignimbrite  outcrop formed about 330,000 years ago”.  Some sceptics believe that the stone wall is man made, constructed by people about 2000 years ago, who pre-date the Maori population.  The stones consist of ignimbrite, a type of rock that results when pyroclastic pumice solidifies after a volcanic blast. The structure seems to bear the hallmarks of a deliberate construction with neat rows of stacked blocks. Precision joints and surfaces appear carved or sculpted. The most heated area of contention about the wall is its age. If someone built the formation around 2000 years ago, then a mysterious group of people must have settled New Zealand before the first Maori – however, we believe the scientific explanation.  This was certainly very interesting to see, and it certainly did look like cut blocks of stone stacked together.  I’m pleased we made the effort to travel out to see it.

Kaimanawa Wall

On the drive back there was another attraction we had read about and wanted to see.   At the Opepe Bush Historic Reserve there is a tiny cemetery which tells the story of a surprise attack in 1869 by Te Kooti  on 14 members of the Bay of Plenty Cavalry camping in this area.  The attack left nine British soldiers dead, and their bodies are buried in the cemetery.  There are four graves in this tiny cemetery, and another tucked away nearby.  This was a piece of New Zealand history which we were unaware of.

Opepe Bush Historic Reserve

Back at camp for a late lunch and a bit of R&R watching the never ending stream of people jumping out of airplanes and floating down to earth overhead.

 

Tandem Sky Dives

Gemma couldn’t care less about all this drama, and tucked herself away under our outdoors step.  Much better, now those people falling out of the sky wont be falling on her!

Gemma knows she is safe and sound

More Fun at Himatangi

Our caravan club rally at Himatangi kept us busy, with the usual Morning Teas, 4zees, after dinner get togethers and a couple of quizzes to test our brain cells.  On Saturday morning we pooled cars and drove up to Viv’s Kitchen, “world famous in Sanson” and home of the giant cream horns.  Viv is now the proud owner of two little dinky vans, the yellow one being a recent acquisition, and they were proudly on display in the car park.

We all found seats at the reserved tables and settled back to enjoy our morning tea.  Cream horns aren’t compulsory, there are other delights available too, if you so desire.

Chocolate éclair for her, cream horn for him

The sound level dropped dramatically as everyone ate their morning tea, only to get loud again once the food had been consumed.  This crowd certainly has plenty to talk about, covering a wide range of topics.

Enjoying our morning tea

Back at camp Dave’s dog came to say hello.  Dogs are allowed at Himatangi Beach Camp, as long as they are under control.  Several of our club members now have dogs which are not necessarily welcome at all camps.

A fair bit of “male bonding” took place.  Wonder if they were commiserating about the All Blacks getting beaten by the Aussies in the Bledisloe Cup game?

Wonder what they are talking about?

The beach was just a short walk away, so after a quick trip to the local dairy I popped down to have a look.  It was rather rough, strong cold winds, with drift wood all over the beach.

Himatangi Beach

Sunday morning tea was supplied by camp proprietors Reuben and Alice.  Much appreciated and many thanks indeed.  Our new President Barry welcomed Wayne into the club, (his first official duty he commented) after Wayne had completed the necessary three rallies.  Everyone then packed up and left before lunch as bad weather was on the way and we all wanted to get home before it arrived.  Thanks to Selwyn and Kath for arranging a great rally.