New Plymouth

I had wanted to see New Plymouth, but Andy wasn't so keen, said there is nothing there, so Fran and I decided we would take a drive out there one day last week.

We started off at around 9.30 am, hoping to be there in a couple of hours. This may well have been achievable had I remembered to fill up with petrol! Now, petrol stations are not plentiful on NZ roads, and after about 40 minutes, the warning light began to flash and I had a little panic. Not like me I hear you cry! We stopped and asked a friendly Kiwi if we should try to get back to Wanganui, but he assured us that there was a garage about 10 km further on, so we went for it, flashing lights and all. Petrol bought and panic over, we continued with our journey. 

The road divides at a place called Hawera, and loops around Mount Taraniki with New Plymouth on the far side of the loop. Unfortunately there was low cloud, and we couldn't see the mountain so we stopped en route at a settlers village museum near Stratford and spent a happy hour or so wandering around the houses and other village buildings which dated back to the late 19th century. I was particularly impressed with the rules for teachers behaviour and thought they might interest Kate. Although I haven't posted it, a second set of rules for teachers allows male teachers one afternoon off per week for courting!

Settlers village

So on again to New Plymouth, which was very much like Wanganui really, except that it is on the coast. We walked along the front for a bit, looked at an 'interesting' work of art called 'the wind wand' by a local chap called Len Lye  and had a coffee, but that was it. To be fair, we didn't really have a long time to spend as it had taken much longer to get there than I thought. So we continued around the loop and returned by the coastal route. We visited a lighthouse, which didn't seem to be near enough to the coast to be of any use. However, it was described as functioning. Still no signs of Taranaki, so we headed off home.  

New Plymouth Coastal walk and the Wind Wand

The inland lighthouse with Mt. Taranaki cloaked in cloud

It turns out that Andy was reasonably accurate in his assessment of the place, but we had a good, if tiring day anyway.

Rotorua

Andy and I had taken a long time deciding what we should do for the only full weekend whilst Fran is with us. We decided on Rotorua, with a visit to Taupo on the way there and on the way back. Andy took a day off work on Friday so that we had an extra day, good job too as it was a long drive and we arrived back in Wanganui last night very tired indeed. But I am getting ahead of myself. 

On Friday morning we set off in brilliant sunshine, stopping a few times on the way to take photos of the views. 

Mt Ruapehu looking as lovely as ever:

We arrived in Taupo for an excellent lunch, taken in a cafe overlooking the lake which was stunningly beautiful in the sunshine. We drove on then to show Fran the Huka falls, which we saw last time in Taupo, but which are a must on a visit here. On again to a prawn farm, which Andy had heard about. Apparently you can spend some time there catching prawns which they will then cook for you if you like! Unfortunately they were about to close, so we bought some already packed prawns to take for our supper.

On again then to Rotorua, about another 1.5 hrs, where we arrived late afternoon, with the sun still shining. The appartment we had booked was really nice, with a balcony and an outdoor sitting area. It's always a bit of a relief when the accommodation comes up to scratch! 

Saturday was another beautiful day. We visited Te Puia, a centre of Maori culture, where we were shown around by Carla, a Maori guide. We saw some genuine Maori buildings, some of which were still in use. We saw how the Maoris made rope from flax, wood carving and weaving. We were also treated to a Maori welcome by warriors in full dress - a bit scary! Te Puia also has mud pools and a large geyser, so we walked around and saw all of this too. A bit pongy with the bad eggs smell of Hydrogen Sulphide everywhere.

In the afternoon, we visited more steaming mud pools in Kirau park. Carla had told us that the whole of Rotorua is built inside the crater of a super volcano, which last erupted about 250,000 years ago. I think the next eruption is expected in about another 100,000 years, so I think we should be safe enough! Also had a look at the redwood forest, stocked with redwoods from California we understand as an experiment at some time in the past. On we went to our evening meal on mount Ngongotaha. We travelled up the mountain on a gondola, with lovely views of Rotorua and the lake. At the top we bought tickets for a luge ride back down. Great fun, so we went down again! There was a wedding party at the top and the guests were all 'luge'-ing down to the resturaunt for the wedding breakfast. A bit tricky for the women in heels and tight skirts!

Andy and me waiting to Luge!

Then back to Taupo

Sunday was another lovely day. We headed off back to Taupo, stopping on the way at the thermal pools at the Waikite valley, where we spent an hour or so in the very warm pools. The river here bubbles along with the water reaching 98 degrees C. It is described as boiling, and emits so much steam it is often difficult to see the water!

Finally we ended up back at lake Taupo and spent another lovely afternoon fishing with Ivan and Maggie in their boat on the lake. Apparently we were in another super volcano, our second of the weekend. We were all lucky enough to catch some rainbow trout, which we are planning to have for tea tomorrow. Going to try out the new barbie which we bought to cook Christmas dinner!

Beautiful lake Tupo and Andy with our supper!

Wellington again 12th November

Back to Wellington again today to collect Fran who is going to stay with us for a couple of weeks. It was lovely to see someone from home after all this time and I hope she has a good time. I suspect she will find the North Island somewhat tame after visiting the beautiful South Island first.

Wellington was freezing cold as usual. Very windy waiting for the arrival of the Cook Strait ferry!

Taihape

This weekend we visited Hannah and Marcus on their farm near Taihape. We had never met them before, but Hannah is the daughter of a school friend of Andy's, Des McHugh. Andy has known Des for nearly 50 years and I have known him nearly as long, so it was lovely to meet his daughter and her family, who made us very welcome. We had lunch, and this was followed by a trip around the farm on a quad bike, a first for me! The picture below is a bit of a cheat as I didn't drive it. Marcus drove with Hannah behind, and Andy and I clinging onto the sides for dear life! You can see the beautiful river and beach which forms part of their land.

The views from the farm are beautiful. We travelled up and down steep slopes, through fields of cattle and sheep. We learned what a hogget is (any guesses?). A hogget is a year old sheep. They go on to become a two-tooth at a two years old, a four-tooth at 3 years, a six-tooth at 4 years and a full-mouth after that. So you determine the age of a sheep by how many teeth it has, if you are brave enough to check of course!

Finally, Marcus treated us to a display of the skills of his sheepdogs, which were all trained by him. Each dog has its own whistle, with different sounds for left, right, lie down etc., so Marcus can use several dogs at the same time all doing different things. Absolutely amazing! We had a really lovely day. Thank you both.