Next Stop – Rotorua

We said goodbye to Welcome Bay and drove down Pyes  Pa Road down SH36, on the way to our next stop, Rotorua.  Lot's of ups and downs and  sharp corners as we drove through rural countryside.  This part of our trip in Rotorua is to celebrate our 40th Anniversary - way back then we had our honeymoon at Rotorua.  Goodness, where have all those years gone?  Where else to stay than the NZMCA Park at Ngongotaha.  

The  name is derived from a legend of Ihenga, the famous Māori explorer. It is said Īhenga met the Patu-paiarehe on Mount Ngongotahā and was offered a drink from a calabash. Ngongo means "to drink", and tahā means "calabash". Ngongotahā is often referred to by locals as the "Sunny side of the Mountain".

We arrived on Thursday, and the weather was sunny and warm, so warm that jumpers were divested, as were socks and shoes, in favour of sandals.  Once settled, we went to town to make a booking or two.  After all, this is our 40th Anniversary Trip and we plan to celebrate in style.  The I-Site Visitor Information Centre is housed in a wonderful building, opened in 1914 as a Post Office.  It consisted of two floors and a tower with rough cast cement plaster exterior and Tudor-style decorative timbering. The building incorporates a memorial town clock in honour of Premier Richard John Seddon, the longest-standing Prime Minister of New Zealand, who died in 1906. The clock still functions to this day.  While there, we booked an Anniversary Dinner for Sunday evening, more about that later.

Tudor style buildings, with the I-Site on the right

The rain came down overnight, and it rained heavily all day on Friday.  That meant a change of plans, much too wet to do anything outdoorsy.  So we  decided to go on a drive to Lake Rotoiti – rain or not.  Needless to say it rained, and rained, and we stopped at the end of the lake for some photos.

Lake Rotoiti

We spotted a black swan at the edge of the lake with her  brood of fluffy grey cygnets.  Mother was not at all pleased with this intrusion when we stopped to take a photo.

Mother and babies

Just a little further up the road was Hongi’s Track.  In 1823  the famous Ngapuhi warrior, Hongi, and his warriors hauled his canoes overland from Lake Rotoehu to Lake Rotoiti in order to perform a surprise raid on the Arawa people on Mokoia Island, Lake Rotorua.

Hongi Hika

There is also a plaque to Hinehopu’s tree.  When Hongi Hika and his warriors carried their war canoe past here, Hinetamairu and the young chieftainess Hinehopu, heard about the oncoming war party and hid within the tree. The tree that kept Hinehopu safe is now known as the Wishing Tree, and is still standing today. 

The story of Hinehopu’s Tree

Driving back to town through even more rain, we stopped for lunch at the Rotorua pub in my book, the Great Kiwi Pub Crawl.  Its been a while since we have checked out one of these pubs.

THis book travels with us in the caravan

The building was opened in 1940 and served as Rotorua’s Police Station until 1969.  with exterior walls 18 inches thick, it was constructed of concrete, reinforcing steel and covered with many thousands of bricks.    “Pig and Whistle”  has been around since 1993, and is a trendy bar and restaurant. There's the old police building behind that huge tree.

Pig and Whistle

We were welcomed by a friendly staff member when we stepped inside and shown to a table for lunch.  Mmm, what to have?  The weather was cold so I enjoyed Seafood Chowder, and Robin ordered pizza.  That was so big that half of it was packed up and came home with us.  The owner of the establishment signed my Pub Crawl book for me, that’s another one crossed off the list.

There was one more thing to do before e headed back to camp.  We spent our two week honeymoon here in Rotorua way back in 1983 at what was known as Post Office Cottages, in reality, a series of flats.  Robin worked at the Post Office at the time and this holiday accommodation was available to staff members at a very reasonable price.  He could remember what street they were in, but after driving up and down, we just couldn't find them.  Mind you, the flats weren't new 40 years ago, so we imagine they had been demolished and something else built on the site.  Never mind, it was worth a try.  Back at camp, the rain was still falling.  We do hope the weather clears up very soon. 

Welcome Bay

We were blocked in at the caravan yard at Ohaupo.  Before we could leave on Tuesday morning we had to ask the men working on the road construction to please move their machine and some of the road cones.  No problem, I’m sure they are used to the staff and customers coming and going at this site.  And the rain kept coming down

Trapped in Ohaupo

Our next stop was Welcome Bay, in Tauranga.  We drove down SH1 past the attractive tree lined town of Cambridge, turning onto SH29 and up and over the Kaimai Ranges.  The nearer we got to Tauranga, the busier the traffic became.  The city's name is a Maori word meaning “resting place,” or “safe anchorage.” Tauranga was incorporated as a borough in 1882 and became a city in the early 1960s.  The ride was out in Welcome Bay when we arrived, but it seemed a pretty area, with lots of new housing  everywhere.

Welcome Bay

This was our first time staying at the Welcome Bay NZMCA site, and we were there for two nights.   It has only recently opened and situated on a nice large grassy area, surrounded by large trees and a kiwifruit farm.  We were a little worried about the wet conditions but luckily did not get bogged down.  There were workmen on site completing the gathering room.

There were only a half dozen or so vans staying here, and although a couple of wet areas had been roped off, there was plenty of space.  Water was available, as were rubbish bins, and I can see this being a very popular spot over the summer months.

Welcome Bay NZMCA Park

We were intrigued by the plaintive bird calls coming from behind the trees and suspect that they were peacocks.  Perhaps the adjacent farm has some of these birds.

We wanted to stop in the Tauranga area to catch up with our friends Louse and Robert, who live nearby at Papamoa.  “Come for lunch” they invited, so we did, and spent a really pleasant day together.  Lots of talking and catching up to do.   Louise and Robert had recently purchased a new to them Kea Dreamtime and Robert has been checking it out and fixing up a few problems that he found.  They are looking forward to a South Island holiday in the New Year.

Louise and Robert and their new camper van

The mower man was very busy indeed the morning we left, zipping around cutting the grass.  He gave me a cheery wave as I walked down to the bins to get rid of the rubbish.  Next stop - Rotorua.

Lawn cutting time

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

Celebration Lunch

We had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon later this week to check on Robin’s knee replacement. 

Arriving for the appointment

As expected we were in and out of the busy surgeon’s rooms in no time at all.  There were x-rays on the monitor showing the replacement pieces, and everything looked nice and straight.  The wound has healed nicely and Robin’s knee movement is excellent.  We were told that slow improvement will happen over the next year or so, but everything looks fine, and he can do away with the sticks.  Yes, he is cleared to drive, so a caravan trip will be happening in the near future.  Yippee to that! 

There was time to pick up a few things on our list, and then it was lunch time.  We had decided to lunch at Speight’s Ale House.

 

Lots of big hearty meals on the menu so we would only need a much lighter evening meal.  A Speights beer for Robin and a bubbly for me while we checked out the menu.  What to choose, that always takes a bit of thought.  I had belly pork, so surprises there, and Robin chose a big juicy lamb shank.  We hadn't planned on dessert, but a cinnamon oyster each with coffee afterwards was just a mouthful and so light and  tasty.

Beer, wine, coffee and cake!

A good result deserves a celebration lunch

The last few days

What have we been up to over the last few days?  Asparagus season has started so I needed to take a trip to Lewis Farms to get a big bunch of this delicacy.  The grading machines were busy, clatter clatter, keeping the workers on their toes as they sorted the different grades.  Many of the seasonal workers come and stay in their motor homes and caravans and park up on the grounds for a small cost - no travel time to work when you are staying on site.

Grading the asparagus

The farm shops stocks other locally made goods as well, honey, pesto, free range pork products, bread and crackers.  As well as an interesting display of items from earlier times.

Lewis Farms also grow strawberries and raspberries, and real fruit ice-cream is also available, as well as freshly ground coffee.  The shop was bustling with customers so I had a little wait for my coffee fix.

Coffee time

Saturday was Election Day, time for everyone to have their say and go and vote.  We had voted early, but many people like to cast their vote on the actual day.  We watched the TV coverage in the evening, and it was obvious people thought it was time for a change.  Labour was trounced and National will be the new government.  The Special Votes still need to be counted, those from Kiwis overseas, in hospitals, and those who voted outside  of their electorates.  There may well be changes to a few seats, but it seems that overall National will form a government with one or two coalition parties.

Democracy in action

Robin was up bright and early on Sunday morning to watch the All Blacks and Ireland quarter final game in the Rugby World Cup.  The All Blacks won, which takes them to the the semi finals.  There was no time for him to cook Sunday breakfast, he was much too involved in the rugby game!

Sunday morning rugby

His Monday morning physio classes are going well, and Robin is noticing improvements to his knee each week.  As I'm still the nominated driver, its coffee time for me while I sit and wait for him to do his exercise circuit.

We are looking forward to seeing the orthopedic surgeon on Thursday who will hopefully clear Robin to drive again. 

This and That

The General Election is coming up fast, and we decided to vote early.  There were several options of where to go, and after a meeting up town, we popped into the local library. Joined the short queue, handed over our Easy Vote card, received the voting papers, and we were good to go.  Nice and simple, and over in five minutes.  And with voting early, we wont have to join the crowds next week.  Rather, we can sit back and watch the results roll in.

After doing our civic duty we had a rather mundane job to do – take our recycling to the Transfer Centre.  This is generally Robin’s job, but as he has been out of action for a while, I was the driver and we both helped with putting the bottles, cans, plastic and papers into their various slots.

Getting rid of the recycling

After a break for a while while Robin while recuperating after his knee replacement, he finally felt well and steady enough on his feet to cook the Sunday breakfast.  So tasty – we breakfasted on pork sausages, bacon, egg and tomatoes.  Well worth the wait, thanks Robin.

Sunday breakfast

We have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon next week, and Robin is hoping his knee has improved enough to enable him to start driving again.  That will certainly make him feel better, and maybe we can go caravanning again soon too.

Back to Physio

At last, Robin is attending weekly physio, funded by the Health Department as part of his knee replacement surgery.  And getting to these classes has been a mission, as for whatever reason, his name was not on the list of attendees.  But it all worked out in the end, the paper work was sent to the Physio Department, we had an assessment meeting, and now he is attending on Monday mornings with the other recent knee replacement patients.

Week by week, he is getting more movement in the knee.  The Physio lady has some sort of protractor which measures the angle that the knee can bend, and there is a definite improvement there.  So after a set back or two, the pain on movement is slowly improving, and he is starting to feel a lot better in himself.

My job is to drive down to the Health Centre, walk with him to the Physio Department then leave him to it.  There is no need for me to be in there with him as he does the exercise circuit, and I don't think the other patients would like me there invading their privacy while they are also working out.  So I take myself to the café, and relax with a coffee and my book, making sure I’m back in time to collect him and drive back home.

Time for a coffee

Little by little his mobility is improving, although there is a way to go yet.  We have another  appointment with the surgeon in a few weeks time, and Robin’s next aim will be cleared to drive, fingers crossed.