Havelock

Back in the motor continuing on the road. It is cut out of the mountainside and goes up and down and round with incredible views of the fiords. We arrived at a view point called Makani Paoa or Cullen Point and got out for a gander, but so had every other tourist on this road! There was not a lot of space for cars, but after I walked the short trail to the top of the hill I knew why. The view is fabulous, looking over the sound at one side and Havelock at the other. We soon set off again and made a stop in Havelock so I could go to the loo again (too much tea at breakfast). The road ran along the valley floor for a while then started to climb back in to the forest. This is mainly crop conifers except where it is too steep for planting, which is where the slope is more than 85 degrees. How they manage to log and plant where they do beats me. It is so steep, so deep and so high.

9/2/10 Picton

Up at 7am, had a shower, put the kettle on and brewed up. Left about 8.30, went down to the office and paid for the accommodation, then off to Picton for breakfast. Ate overlooking the palm trees on the very pretty harbour, amazing how much better everything looks after a good night's sleep. Had poached eggs on toast, a bit overdone, but with HP sauce they tasted great. Fran had bacon and eggs and Mum had croissant with home made jam. Me and Fran had tea and Mum had a lemon, ginger and honey tisane which smelled really good. Set off up Queen Charlotte Drive after a traumatic experience in the local toilets. They were electronic, you pushed a button to get in, then a disembodied voice told you to lock the door and gave you 10 minutes to do what you had to do. Music started playing whilst you sat or whatever, then it flushed when you put your hands under the sensor to wash them. Auto soap and auto dryer, more music, instructions to push the button to exit and then it thanked you for using the facilities. I felt emotionally scarred by the whole experience!
Anyway we left Picton. The road was a roller coaster ride around the headlands as we started to rise. We stopped in the next cove to take a few snaps. It was where the logs were kept before being shipped out. It was really beautiful, what a place to work.

South Island

 

We sailed into Picton down the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound. It took an hour to get from Wellington to the Cook Strait, an hour to cross the Strait and another hour to sail through the fiords to Picton.
The town itself was a bit of a disappointment. None of the cafes we found were very nice and the prices were on the top side. We did have a coffee however, in what seemed a reasonable cafe, but when we pulled the seats out the pads were cracked and peeling and some had holes in.
As Fran wouldn't stay in a back packer's hostel we drove out of town and up the coast to Waikawa Bay and took a motel room. We actually ended up with a three bedroomed house for $160, Fran and Mum paid $60 each and I paid $40 because I didn't want to spend so much on accommodation. It was a very expensive day today with the accommodation and meals and drinks- $67 meal and $44 for drinks- $111 split three ways. On the up side the meal was quite good although the fat had been used previously for something containing chilli and the chips gave quite a bite!

8/2/10 Trip to South Island

Up at 4.45am, woke Mum. I'd had a broken night worrying about sleeping in. Did some ironing, finished packing, showered, had a brew and some juice. All ready for 5.50am. Went and stood outside to enjoy the dawn and the birds singing. Fran was a couple of minutes late but we were on the road for 6.15am. Its around a seven hour drive to Wellington. We drove past Lake Taupo, which is a huge volcanic caldera, and the active volcanoes on the southern edge. Climbed up to the central plateau on the desert road. It is like a vast moor but on ash instead of peat. The ash was swirling around in the wind. The cloud lifted to give amazing views of Ruapehu, the volcano which spewed out the ash we were driving over. 10.39am, still driving south with the central fault mountains on our left. They mark the southern edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire or the plate boundaries for the Pacific and the India/Australia tectonic plates.
12.08pm, arrived ferry port, made really good time, now queuing to check in.
Ferry left at 14.10, twenty minutes before departure time. I said to Fran it was just as well we had arrived early or they would have gone without us. He reckons they would have waited for anyone who had bought a ticket, until the correct time. This is a couple of views of Wellington from the back of the boat.

Jonny's 21st Birthday

7/2/10. Jonathan's birthday. Up fairly early at 8.30, but just a leisurely morning because we have no car. I also have no phone. I think Carphone Warehouse have pulled the plug. Probably think its been stolen. It is amazing how lost I feel without it. I can't phone Fran to say we are ready to be picked up. Kids can't phone me. At about half past one Mum went next door to ask Liz if she could borrow their phone to phone Fran; he will be over about three to pick us up.
Fran duly arrived. We stopped off in town on the way to take some money out of the bank so I could give Fran my share of the cost of the ferry fare ($200 each).
Jonny had not been home long when we arrived and he looked poorly. Self inflicted. He had stayed at a friend's house when they had got back from partying at 5.20am. Shortly after some friends of Fran & Di arrived, we sat in the garden, and had a few drinks. I sloped off to go on the computer to e-mail the kids about the phone or lack of. Diane put on a lovely buffet about 7pm but we had to leave early because of the early start to South Island tomorrow. Both in bed by nine o'clock.

Auckland

Up at eight for the trip to Auckland, Mum still didn't want to go, but I had had told my Aunt I would look up her nephew, Rikki. I said to Mum she didn't need to come and I'd drop her in Cambridge but she decided she would go. So off we went, then we came back for something we had forgotten, then set off again. We had been travelling about half an hour when we discovered we had left the maps on the kitchen table, far too late to turn back, guess work the order of the day. Luckily I had studied the maps with Fran last night and could remember some of the route. We arrived with very little bother indeed, we only took one wrong turn off and Mum spotted the right road. We parked up and went and knocked on the door. A tall slim chap answered, and told us Rikki wasn't there and his family were his tenants. He kindly invited us in whilst he looked for a mobile number, no wonder Rikki hadn't been answering the phone. We left with the number and decided to drive back along the coast towards Auckland city via Devonport, which Fran had recommended to us for the views. We passed through several small townships called this bay or that bay although we never saw the sea, and eventually arrived at a major town; tall buildings and lots of shops, and thought well this must be it.
We got a parking space practically outside the tourist information shop and the public loos, so I went to get a map while Mum headed off to the toilet. The i-site people were very helpful and told me we weren't actually in Devonport, but in Takapuna, just around the corner. Got a town map and we decided to have lunch and a wander around, it was a very nice place, then take in the seaside. A passer-by took our photo for us (top). We had lunch and a wander but as we were heading back to the car to drop off the shopping bags, suddenly realized it was half past two. Panicked. The car was meant to be back at half three and we were at least two hours away. Sod the sea-side, we had to set off back straight away. It caused some hilarity as Mother tried to take a photo of the Auckland skyline as we approached and managed to get a couple of lamposts, then a traffic sign but finally a view. We got back to Hamilton but I had no idea how to find the care- hire place as I had only been there from Cambridge, so to retrace that route I had to drive around the city to approach from the other direction. Fran phoned to find out where we had got to,he was picking us up, and redirected us. Even so it was difficult. Finally got the car back at 16.30, I forgot to take the final mileage but it was about 1800kms.
Fran ran us back to the unit and stopped off for a couple of beers and a snack before heading home. Diane, Charlotte and her boyfriend Damien had gone over to Mount Maunganui over night, yesterday, but had not yet arrived home when Fran had set off for us. Spent the rest of the evening with a couple more beers and watched a film on TV.

End of the day 5/2/10

Here are a couple of extra photos of our day out. The first is looking down the stream towards the lake with the silica terraces on the left. Apparently until the 1970s the lake came right up to here, but as you can see from the photo, you can't even see the lake.
The other photo is a close up of the hill side shown in the previous post, so you can see the dense tree fern cover.





Too tired to go on to Taupo or Hamilton as originally planned, we headed back to Cambridge. Stopped at the supermarket in Rotorua for a new face flannel. Of course we couldn't resist a look round while we were there and came out carrying beer, crisps and dips and had bought a lovely plant for Diane. So then we had to stop at Fran's on the way back to drop off the plant, but Diane wasn't in.
Got home and had omelette made with yellow peppers, onion and NZ artisan peccorini cheese served with green beans, we had some melon to start too and were going to have strawberries, kiwi fruit meringue and crème fraise for afters but we were too stuffed to move.

Waimangu continued.

Two views of the lake, one with mother and the black swans. View of tree ferns going up the crater side.

It was getting very hot and I was starting to burn even though I had been using my brolly/parasol since we had eaten lunch. I was also troubled by the graze on my leg so we decided we would start walking back and catch the bus if we were near a bus stop when it came through. All the bus stops were evacuation points too, high lighting the dangers of this truly beautiful place. I'm glad we walked because on the woodland section we saw a rifleman. This tiny bird showed no fear of us although we were just a couple of feet from it and it seemed to be showing off, dancing around and hopping from branch to branch overhead.
By the time we reached bus stop 2 the bus was due so we rode back to the visitor centre. It was stifling in the bus and we were glad to sit in the cafe with a coffee and a cake and look at the gallery of photographs of the various eruptions (the most recent were not represented). Mum bought a print from a painting of the Cauldron Pool. We set off back about four-ish having had the most wonderful, best value for money day out ever.

Waimangu continued.

Best of all there was a hot water spring and stream with yet more silica terracing, but this time coming almost to your feet. I was astonished to see a sparrow land on it, so I gave the edge closest to  me a poke with my brolly but it was liquid, obviously the water content that could be seen running over the silica pooled at the edge.
The water looked pretty poisonous but it couldn't be that bad if the birds were in there.
We walked back to the path where it becomes a nature trail heading down to the lake. It starts as a grass/swampland way with flax and pampas and shrubs, then into forest and continues along the delta of the stream which was teeming with bird life. We saw a pied stilt first that was shouting the odds, but to who we don't know because we only saw the one. Then there were ducks of various kinds including the New Zealand scaup, blue duck and paradise shelduck, then lots of black swan whose cry sounds like trumpets and other birds we were unable to identify. We sat at a bird watching hide for ages.

Waimangu continued.

Just realised I have been spelling Waimangu wrong. Its an 'u' at the end not an 'a'. Hope you haven't been trying to find it on a map! Anyway...... we rejoined the path in the valley bottom and it led a meandering course through tall grasses, reeds and shrubs to the silica terraces. First we passed this unusual steam vent which also has a boiling water spring and heat resistant flora and fauna. The path now follows the stream from the craters higher up the valley and rises cutting through the soft ash to give a view over the silica terraces which are being formed by silica washing out of the the hot spring in the distance. We could see it periodically bubbling up but of course each time we got a camera out it subsided. We tootled on, parallel to the stream until we reached a wooden footbridge crossing the stream and taking us in to native forest. This is where the turn off for the loos is situate within the rift valley left by the eruption of 1886. It starts within the forest where you cross a fresh water stream, with water cress and long fronds of algae and other temperate plants, then leaves and flows in to a natural amphitheatre which has picnic tables both outside and in the shade, and the all important toilets.

Waimanga continued.

The pool at Frying Pan Flat (above) was caused by an eruption in 1917 of Echo crater which killed two people and destroyed the flat area in the bottom, deepening the crater which soon filled up with water which boils and splutters away as you watch. The older lava pinnacles of Cathedral Rock (photo at top) smoke and steam. It is quite an eerie sensation. There were the usual folk ignoring the signs to stay away from the boiling water, stepping over the low barrier and dipping there hands in the acidic stream. Some folk ignored similar warnings in 1903 and three were killed by an erupting geyser.We continued on to the steps up to the blue lake in Inferno Crater, this lake rises and falls by 8m to overflow with water reaching 80 degrees C. It has an unseen geyser in the bottom that fills the lake then lies dormant but the period is not regular, but generally occurs over 5 -7 weeks. It is absolutely stunning. The colour is unbelievable. Here we had the choice of returning down the steps and rejoining the valley floor path or taking the hiking trail. It had a big notice: It was unsuitable for children, the elderly and infirm and was only to be attempted by fit people in the correct footwear. We like a challenge so we went on. Mother denied being elderly at 75 and our sandals were made for walking rough paths. 274 stair steps later and some bits without but still upward, Mum was regretting that rash decision. (I was still OK at that point, as I should be being 22 years her junior). We were rewarded by a cracking view down the rift valley to the lake, and benches to sit and gape at it. Which we did. After getting our breath back we had lunch and sat in the dappled shade for a well earned rest. We couldn't see the trail down from where we sat but we should have been prepared for stairs after coming up. And that is mostly what it is; a continual flight of stairs going straight down. By the time we reached the bottom my knees were all a-tremble, I'm glad Mum didn't need carrying but she seemed to fair better with the downhill.

Waimanga continued.

From the very first panoramic view to the bus ride back it was brilliant. We wouldn't have had time for the boat trip. We set off about ten to eleven and got the bus back up at three in the afternoon, mainly because I'd fallen on the path near the lake and had gravel rash all up my lower right leg, pumice mixed with blood, yuk!
The walk down to Lake Rotomahana had been challenging. The first part was a steady walk down with many view points after the first ( photos on this post) until we got to the pool at Flying Pan Flats.

5/2/10 Waimanga

Up at 8am. Mum had to wake me for our trip to the volcanically active zone near Rotorua. Made a hurried meal and had a shower and we were on the road by nine. It is about 90km to Rotorua so we headed off past Lake Karapiro on State Highway 1. As we approached Rotorua under a dull overcast sky, Mum checked where we were going- we had chosen our destination last night before "Pirates"- and found it wasn't quite where we thought it was, although we were on the right road (surprise, surprise), it was 15kms south of Rotorua on the S.H. 5 which we had turned on to some time before. We passed the Agrodrome and the bungy jump, luge and Zorb before we reached the town, then carried on by and back out into the countryside. I was just wondering where Waimanga was exactly when we reached the turn off. We meandered through rolling grassland for about a mile and a half, then we knew we had nearly arrived because the verges were neatly cut. Very odd; with the tree ferns and native trees- sort of English village gone tropical. We debated where to park the car as it was still overcast. Mum wondered if we should park in the shade; I didn't think it mattered because we had air conditioning in the car. So we parked in the middle. Walked to the ticket counter past story boards telling us the aims of the company running the site and a short account of the eruption of 1886. I went to get the tickets and Mum went to the toilet. It was $32.50 to walk the trail and another $40 dollars for the boat ride if you wanted to do that. I don't really like boat trips and Mum wasn't keen so we just paid for the walk. It was a good decision.

A quiet day in 4/2/10

Day at home. Up at 8.30am with a bit of a headache, self induced by 3 glasses of wine last night. Goodness, I've turned into a cheap date! Decided we had better go shopping the cupboards are looking bare. Texted Fran to see if it would be convenient to take Mother over to read her birthday e-mails from the family. Waited ages with no reply, so I phoned him instead. He was just about to text back to say come over. We did. Stayed about an hour then went to the supermarket in Cambridge.
Mum had started with a cold yesterday but that seems better today, so instead she has developed upset intestines and has had to take a concrete pill.
Spent $114.74 at the supermarket on not very much at all. That included loads of cut priced fruit and veg. too and only one bottle of wine. Couldn't afford to live here!
Arrived home and had cheese and biscuits and salad and beer for lunch (headache cured), and, after washing up, went and sat on Liz and Jim's patio decking. The sun was very hot and after an hour with only our legs in the sun we had to move the furniture completely into the shade. Ate a whole bag of blackcurrant liquorice to myself. Yummy! Then I didn't want any tea when Mum made it at 6pm. Watched the weather forecast on NZ One, tomorrow here is forecast to be 26 degrees Celsius. Luckily we are going to Rotorua: forecast there 23 degrees.
A bit cooler.
Watched 'Pirates of the Caribbean III' which I had not seen before. Just sipping a glass of wine. Shiraz tonight.

Karangahake Gorge

It was lovely following the river Ohinemuri for most of the way to Waiki but not a patch on yesterday's adventure. We took the best part of the afternoon to get to Mount Maunganui, we went back there on the way home because the beach was fantastic and we had missed out on the beach at Fletcher Bay.
Fletcher Bay was our original destination right at the top of the Coromandel Peninsular, but we did not get there 'cos the car was unsuited to the road conditions. Arrived at the Mount about half past two and had an hour on the beach looking for shells and paddling in the sea. It was like walking in warm champagne.     Left at 3.40 pm rather wet and sandy and very happy Got back here at about 6pm. Bought $50 worth of petrol in Cambridge after putting $36.14 in on the way there. We have now covered 1200kms since picking up the car. Had tea and a couple of glasses of wine and put our feet up.
Took this picture of Morning Glory (above) growing up a tree fern on SH 309. It doesn't do justice to the shocking intensity of the colour. A European weed growing up a native plant; this type of thing is seen through out New Zealand, plants and animals introduced by settlers, both Maori and European. The government is fighting a rear guard action, but appear to be losing.

Waiau Falls

Photo of State Highway 309. Waterfall from view point (below) We were above it and our view was obscured by tree ferns and other plants. We walked a little further because I thought there maybe a better view but it wasn't much of one. As we turned back to the car we saw a footpath off to the left and it turned out to be access to the falls at river level. Lovely. The rest of the journey to Thames was uneventful with some good views, particularly over the sea but nothing as spectacular as yesterday. Spent a pleasant hour in Thames although there was no access to the shore. Back in the car and on to Paeroa for lunch. What a disappointment. The cafes were, on the whole, appalling. We eventually found somewhere to eat that wasn't too bad, but wasn't riveting either. Glad to leave the town behind and set off to Tauranga via Karagahake Gorge, which we thought we had travelled through yesterday but we were actually somewhere completely different.

3/2/10 Back from Coromandel Town.

Not a wonderful nights sleep but then again when is it for me lately? Mum was up at 5.50 am for a shower but had to come back because it wasn't open. I was still trying to sleep. Went again at 6.05 and got into the shower then realised she'd left the 50c coin to operate it back in the cabin (still trying to sleep) so had to come back again and turn on the light to search for coin. Gave up trying to sleep and went for a shower instead. Left at 7.20 and drove in to town for breakfast, which we had at a greasy spoon in Coromandel. It stank of old fat but the breakfast was OK; I had poached egg on toast with HP brown sauce (mmm), Mother had toast and honey and hot chocolate. I settled for tea. Then we wandered off down the road, did a lot of ooh and ahhing at Coromandel Bay and took some photos of the islands and the black swans. We turned off to visit Waiau Falls. The road- State Highway 309, was signposted liked a proper road and looked OK, but after a couple of hundred yards there was a big warning sign sign like the one we had seen yesterday at Colville before the road ran out. However this morning the surface was dry and we decided to chance it. It was 2.7km to the water works and looked to be as far again to the waterfall. We arrived eventually and were really disappointed - you couldn't see the falls from the view point.