Welcome welcome one and all.
Well I’m certainly back in the swing of things with the travelling marlarky, so here is what has been happening for the last week or two, which basically boils down to not a great deal, yes I know I’m not really selling this to you all.
I left Taupo on the 7th October for the trip across to Napier. Before packing up the caravan on the Sunday morning I thought I deserved a bit of a lie in so decided to read my book (kindle) for a while before getting up. For some reason I found I was having a bit of a problem focusing my right eye on the text, even after rubbing it vigorously it didnt seem to make any difference so I gave up and got myself out of bed. After sorting out the dogs and getting myself a bit of breakfast I thought I may as well start packing up and get things ready to move on. On straightening out the bed ready for sliding it away I noticed on the bottom sheet the righthand lens from my glasses. It never crossed my mind that it may have been missing in the first place, well it was a bit early for that sort of thinking. Great relief all round and a few stern words to myself things moved on.
I left Taupo on chilly but clear morning and headed off for the two hour or so drive across to Napier. Once I got in amongst the ranges it got even cooler, probably down to about 6c or 7c. It even got to the stage where Whisper actually pulled her head in from the window which at last allowed my to close the windows and put the heater on for a while, which was gratefully received. It brought back memories of driving up to Scotland with Aled in December 1999 where he had his head out nearly all the way and I had to stop at the services to defrost his jowls and eyelids. We arrived in Napier and made my way to the NZMCA (New Zealand Motor Caravan Association) park which is about 6kms or so South of the town. A lovely spot which was close enough to the town and to the sea. Like all NZMCA sites there is no power available so was reliant on the solar panel doing its job and I must say I had no issues with it at all. I was only going to stay a few days but the weather was so good I stayed for the week (8 nights for $24 is to my mind a real bargain). It gave me ample opportunity to have a proper look around Napier as the last time I was there it all seemed a bit rushed. The Art Deco buildings are a real sight to behold and are all beautifully well preserved. Napier is definitely my kind of town, all the modern facilities and amenities but keeping lots of older world charm. Unfortunately I don’t think my photos completely does it justice but have included a few for your perusal. I also managed to have some decent walks alone the foreshore promenade with “the boys” and it is certainly noticeable that Whisper is really starting to slow down, but then I guess she is getting on a bit now (approx. 12yrs old) so she is more than entitled.
I am currently in a place called Waipawa which is about 60kms south of Napier and the same distance North of Dannevirke, those of you with maps should find it or should I say in this day and age, those with google maps or google earth should find it. Its not exactly a one horse town, more like a two and bit, but the campsite I am at is very pleasant. It is close to a river and a disused railway track so plenty of scope for walking that’s for sure. It is also very dog friendly with the owners 3 dogs introducing themselves to all new arrivals. One of them is a very cute brindle boxer approximately 6months old, who if I could get away with it would make a lovely addition to the troupe. Not so sure that Whisper and Cody would see it that way. The campsite site is fairly small but has all the facilities us of the travelling fraternity need. Showers, toilets, laundry, kitchen, power and the two real essentials potable water and a dumpsite. The good thing about having power apart from getting the internet is that Im able to put the coffee machine through its paces and so far it hasn’t skipped a beat. I must say though that the coffee always seemed to taste that bit better when Alistair made it first thing in the morning. I will probably stay here for a couple of nights before heading off to Dannevirke and staying there possibly for the weekend. I must start looking pretty soon into ferry crossings and getting myself sorted to getting onto the South Island, possibly heading across the first or second week in November.
Spring is really in the air these days, today is a very pleasant 20c with minimal cloud and wind. It has been pretty good weatherwise for the last two weeks or so, quite chilly still at night and first thing in the morning, but once the sun gets up, its off long trousers and on shorts. Not quite the weather just yet for full time shorts unfortunately.
Anyway people I will leave you for now, as stated previously not much going on as Im taking it very easily and just ambling along. But all is well and will update you again fairly soon. Hopefully I have figured out how to add some photos to this so here goes
Geoff1511 Travels 