Hello again…..it’s been a while I know.
Since my last blog in early September we have left Taranaki and ventured further afield. Our story since then……
We went exploring the Forgotten Highway (no caravan attached) in mid September and spent a night in Taumaruni then headed back to NP via Ohura/Ahititi. Ohura is the closest to a ghost town I have ever seen. The only building with life inside was the local school.
I celebrated another year older late Septemer and we were so lucky that our wonderful neighbours, Kevin & Lynette from Blenheim came up and stayed 3 days to continue the annual birthday celebrations for both Kevin & I. A wonderful weekend with laughter, wine, a bit of walking & more wine!!!.
We had another venture to Auckland to the family early October for 4 days to spend time with them all, do a little babysitting for the boys and be there for the baby reveal party with Sarah’s family on the Saturday morning. We will be welcoming another boy to our family in February 2020. We also had 2 dance parties while there. One to celebrate my birthday (cupcakes supplied, thanks Sarah) and a BBQ & glow stick dance party (for the kids….& me) with neighbours of Andrew & Sarah’s. A great few days and good to see the family settled on their “farm”. Headed back to New Plymouth from Auckland to start the packing process as our house owners were due back the next day. Handed back the house and reinstated ourselves back into our caravan. One night stayed at the local New Plymouth MCA camp & a lovely dinner supplied by Bryce (Wayne’s brother) then we headed out of Taranaki the next day.
Stayed in Mangakino for 2 nights at the local Reserve by the lake. A lovely spot and a great place to explore and get ourselves back into living on the road. Headed onto Taupo and spent 7 days there at the local MCA camp out by Taupo Airport. The weather was not great but we caught up with Robin & Fay in Kinloch and also went to the local Working Men’s Club & rock & rolled the Friday night away with Robin & Fay & friends. As usual visited a brewery…Crafty Trout in Taupo. Great pizza & chips!!! A walk on lakeside in howling winds & a couple of bike rides for Wayne. Time to find the sunshine so off we went to Napier.
We had a wonderful 3 weeks at the MCA camp. While there we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary…..that long says Wayne!!! We went to the Gypsy Fair (not as good as the one in Blenheim Belinda….tried to get you a fork ring tree but none there). A couple of visits to the Hastings Farmers Market and what a beautiful area with great stalls, live music and good coffee. Did a few bike rides together, with my longest trip being 40km return. At least it was flat and easy riding along the trails. We had a wonderful weekend Labour weekend, starting with Matt & Sheryl (From Masterton) staying over in Havelock North and spending the Saturday with us, riding a trail to our first stop the Roosters Brew House (see Photo’s) then onto a winery tasting at Unison Vineyard. Sheryl & I opted out and took the cars back to camp and Matt & Wayne road home in a head wind!! We then dinned at the Thirsty Whale in Napier before they headed off to Taupo to finish their long weekend. We also caught up with Mike & Chrissy and their friends at the Westshore Pub and enjoyed a few drinks and live music. A great social weekend. We had a lovely lunch with Wayne’s Aunty Fay and Uncle Gary at a local restaurant on the waterfront. We visited the local beaches. Some good for swimming and walking but very windy on the days we visited, so did not get to spend a lot of time enjoying them. Had a trip into Mungatutu Hot Springs – 60km inland from Napier and 20km of this is gravel road. Amazing place with two small pools plonked about the river with natural hot springs water…..estimate well over 40 degrees. A beautiful part of the country and thanks Matt & Sheryl for the tip. Wayne had organised the annual Acromegaly Coffee catch up meeting in Hawkes Bay and it was good to meet others with his condition and get a group together as support for each other in the area. Went to an Open Home in Napier, out in the country with a wonderful view of the sea and port……not buying it as it is over our price range and it gave us an idea of what we would like to have in the future….just a bit cheaper!!!
Headed back to Taupo on 6th November to catch up with Robin, Fay and Don & Bev (from Picton and Rock n Roll Club). A lovely lunch in Taupo and lots of laughs. So good to see Don & Bev again. Stayed 3 nights and did a days Kayak on the lake, visiting the Maori Carvings and getting those arm muscles working again. Good to paddle in fresh water and not have to wash everything down after using it. Wayne received an email from a friend to say there was plenty of work in Opotiki in the kiwifruit industry so we headed that way on the 9th November………………………………….will report on our adventures in Opotiki next time.
Bye all and take care
Travelling Gypsies XX