- Visiting the West Coast of Scotland
- This is it!!!
- On the road again
- Back Country – NZ
- NZ update – east coast
- Back Country – very different this time!
- Lake Taupo
- The Coromandel
- Mini-break
- More little adventures – NZ
- Getting out and about again!
- More holidays!!
- A new year of adventures
- The mountain cottage
- Ginny’s visit
- Another visit – Marni and Jodi
- More changes!
- First stop in Canada – Niagara Falls
- Quick visit – Toulouse and Venet les Bains
- Ffald-y-Brenen
- The Cotswolds
- Back in France again!!
- Barcelona
- A much more interesting path – crossing the Irish Sea!
- London to Loxton
- Enniscorthy – a quick visit
- County Donegal
- South Gippsland, Victoria
- Next port of call
- Victorian High Country
- Snowy River Country
- Reindeer Lodge – Tanjil Bren
- Hiccup to Blessing
- Have tent will travel!!
- Family and friends – hugs and kisses
- Road Trip to the West
- Very snail like!
It’s been a very exciting time for us. Reg’s daughter Ginny came to visit in mid April. We had a quick look around the Taranaki then off to Mt Ruapahu via the Forgotten World Highway. Through Stratford and past the Whangamomona pub again – we are getting to be regulars. We stayed overnight in the Chateau Tongariro – couldn’t help ourselves. Such a lovely place. Visited the ski fields with no snow but got to see all the rugged rocks that are hidden in winter. Huge grey boulders everywhere – like being on another planet! Cold misty weather – had planned on taking a chair lift up onto the mountain but closed for the day. Never mind! Spent a lot of time just relaxing in the chateau looking at the rain clouds on the mountains from the lounge room windows. Made us feel warm and dry – very content to be inside.
We sadly left Mt Ruapahu – we really love it there – and drove north towards Lake Taupo. Lovely views on the way. We drove along the edge of the lake and visited Huka Falls – still beautiful – and then on to Rotorua for two nights. It rained heaps while we were there but still managed to visit the Rotorua Museum with its many exhibits and once famous and very popular Bath House. Because of the many thermal springs in the area and the readily available mineral rich water and volcanic mud people came to the Bath House to be healed of all sorts of ailments. Unfortunately the water corroded the pipes so maintaining the building became impossible. We also visited the Red Gum Forest near Rotorua – beautiful. Great to walk through the forest, so quiet. Felt tiny against the very large trees. Being stuck inside at our little cabin – the rain really didn’t let up – wasn’t so bad. Lovely time to just sit with some wine and nibbles and catch up. We drove Ginny to the airport in Auckland before heading back to Oakura. Sad to say goodbye – a few tears!!
We recently borrowed Robbie and Marie’s mobile home again and revisited some old haunts. The main one being – of course! – the spot half way up the cliff- situated between Hawera and Patea. Lots of walks on the beach and quiet times. Enjoyed it just as much as the first time.
Love Di and Reg
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Yipee! I’m famous! The blog looks so good Di! Much love x x x
Love you sweetheart Lots of love Di xxxxxxxx