Settling in

It’s the start of another work week and life is settling down to a pattern.  Five days of work then 2 days to explore the Bay of Plenty. We have visited Tauranga many times over the years on a reasonably regular basis but we are still amazed at how little we know of the area.  We spent one weekend with Sue and Peter camping at Pikowai, or should I say glamping – we took our motorhome down so had all the home comforts.  Sadly the fishing was not great but we enjoyed the weekend as the weather was mild and of course the beach spectacular. It is a lovely long sandy beach sparsely populated and great for walks.

Pikowai is on the way to Whakatane and neither of us had been to Whakatane for many years so we took advantage of a work opportunity to visit briefly one afternoon. It is nothing like either of us remember, far more developed and attractive.  We will have to return to have a better look around.

We have discovered some nice cycle pathways around the city, (Tauranga and the Mount) which we have spent some time on and I have the pleasure of a waterside walkway as part of the walk to work each morning. Our exploration of the mount was during the three days that we were based there while we had an awning built to fit DREEEM. The awning has been tweaked a bit by Warren to make it a firm fitting and it certainly proved stable in the winds that we had last Friday and Saturday. To top it off we now have a plywood flooring in the awning as well so we are really very well set up for winter when it comes.

Yesterday we visited the Motorhome show in Hamilton and came back with a backing camera for DREEEM and a solution to the high pressure toilet flush that tends to wash your feet when flushing. We found it quite a different experience visiting the show as full time motorhomers rather than potential buyers. The show was great with lots of interesting stalls and a large number of motorhomes and campers to view.  We are still very pleased with our own, there is none better in our mind.

Tauranga

Our plans changed, as they can and we made an earlier than planned trip to Tauranga. Mum toppled to the floor and needed help so with that being the priority we left Invercargill on Friday 6th January and headed north. Luckily we were able to meet up with Tony and Claire in Oamaru, along with Claire's dad and Jane and we spent a lovely evening together. Saturday saw us up to the Riverlands Roadhouse at Blenheim, then we crossed the strait on Sunday and came up as far as Wairaki before arriving in Tauranga on Monday morning.
We are currently based in the Tauranga Tourist Park and will probably stay here as the location suits us well. Just 5kms to Mum's and probably a 10 minute walk to the hospital for work.
As the sudden departure from Invercargill didn't allow time for hand over or goodbyes I will be returning there for a few days before starting the new job and although the mid 20's is a pleasant temperature, the desire to go back to Invercargill remains there. For now that will be satisfied with a short trip but I'm sure we will be back down that way some time in the future.
DREEEM went well, we had no problems apart from Warren's moment of alarm as we pulled our ears in and ducked our head going through the 4.25m tunnel at Kaikoura. We measure 4.2m so really we had room to spare! Tomorrow we are going to get a spare room. The awning on the side is going to be closed in which will give us an outdoor space. It will be nice in summer but really we want it for the winters. An outdoor space to change from wet coats and boots will be very useful. We managed well last winter despite 3 snowfalls but plan to be living in DREEEM for a long while yet so will get the job done now.

Xmas in Arrowtown/Queenstown

We have had a great time so far in the Arrowtown / Queenstown area. We have been able to spend some good time with Pauline and Rob and their families and we have also managed to get out and enjoy this blissfully perfect weather. Too hot for some but a very pleasant summer for us.
We were thrilled to be given a helicopter flight br Rob and Tetli as a thank you to Warren for the help he gave them building their house. We flew up onto the snowy mountain where we stopped off for a little while. We flew back to Queenstown over Lake Moke which is in one of the photo's above.
In the few days here we have paddled on Lake Hayes, walked around Lake Hayes, cycled along Arrowtown river and up towards Macetown and also cycled around Moke Lake. It feels like a glorious summer holiday.
On Xmas day we managed to talk to family who were not here with us and that was also great.
I have also just had confirmation that the position I applied for in Tauranga is going to go ahead so at the end of January we will be back behind the wheel of DREEEM (now complete with a peice of wood on the accelerator for short legs) and heading back north. The new position (Project Manager)starts mid February and is a one year contract so we will enjoy the Bay of Plenty for a year and being located near the Tauranga family.
The only drama of note in the last few days was loosing all our air in DREEEM on our way into Queenstown on the Friday afternoon before Xmas. We were lucky that it happened once we had reached Frankton and not on the Devils staircase around the lake edge and we were also lucky that there was a sober diesel mechanic who was able to reconnect a dislodged airline on the side of the road.  We are planning to head down to Niagara Falls for New Year so will be back in touch after that.

Merry Xmas

Merry Xmas everyone. Let's hope it's a safe and enjoyable one for all. We are spending this Christmas with Pauline and Rob and their families in Arrowtown and then plan to move off to explore a bit more of the Central Otago region.
DREEEM has a block of wood on the accelerator now to allow me a more comfortable sitting position. I was given short leg genes I think.
We plan to be away from this Friday til after New Year and should be back in touch then.
Roll on January and a visit from Tony and Claire!

First Rally

Thanks Southland division of the NZ Motor Caravan Association for making our first rally outing a great one.  

We have just returned “home” from a weekend away at the NZMCA Park over property (POP) at Niagara. It’s been a good weather weekend and the rally was our first since we have been down here. Yes, we’ve been here nearly a year but to be fair we were unable to move from our winter pad due to the ground being too wet and soft, then of course it took a few weeks to get our COF. Never mind, they say better to start late than not to start at all.

There were over 20 motor homes attending the 3 day rally and it was a good chance for us to meet other motorhomers from down here in the south. As with all people we have met and interacted with here they were very welcoming and friendly.   We spent much of the weekend meeting and talking to new friends. Morning teas, raffles and happy hours took up the day time and in the evenings we sat around an outdoor fire built in a converted diesel tank.

Only 2 weeks til Xmas break which will see us heading up to Queenstown and thereabouts for about 10 days. Warren is desperately in need of a break from work, he has been reroofing a 24 x 7 metre shed and it’s been a shock after a winter of hibernation.  The list of non aching muscles exceeded the list of aching ones. There were 4 sheets of iron to go on Thursday when he stopped work for the weekend.

Burt Munro Challenge

We have been following the Challenge. Not that we are really motorbike enthusiasts but it’s hard not to get caught up in the hype of it all and we actually found the racing quite exciting. Sadly the beach race was cancelled due to gale force winds. Yes, it is still wet and windy down here much of the time. Yesterday however was a nice calm day and the street racing at Wyndham was well attended and there were a few spectacular crashes as you will see in the photo’s. (Coming soon)
We are still based at the Amble on Inn Motor camp as the ground is still quite wet and soft where we were previously. In the interim we are making the most of the closer proximity to town and spending a bit of time biking and walking, weather permitting of course.  We have only 2 months left on this work contract at Southland Hospital and at this stage don’t have plans for what we do after that. There are work options here but we have made no commitment yet. Yes, you got it, ….the weather!

Moved out of the swamp

We tried to move out of our current spot on Sunday as the ground appeared to be drying out and the weather forcast is for more rain. We moved about a quarter of a tyre turn and then the tyres spun in the soft slippery ground.  Stuck!  So after a discussion with the neighbour, the tractor was brought over and on Monday DREEEM was "assisted" back onto the road. We really needed a COF, an updated registration and some LPG.  Today Warren has managed the LPG but failed the COF as the man with the checkerboard noted a broken leaf spring. Apparently we need to have one made and the guy who can make and fit the thing is busy for a few weeks so we have settled down in a motorcamp just 2 kms from the hospital. Probably a great location for walking to work (apart from the weather forcast).