The Big Auckland – Final Chapter – Parnell and The Bays

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Ross

Fountain Mission Bay AucklandLife quietened down with my two children headed back way down South. We stayed on at Ambury Farm Park in Mangere Bridge for a few more days, catching up with things. Wyn spotted something about a French theme street day in Remuera on the following Saturday so we headed on over to see what it was about. Crikey there is money evident everywhere you turn in Remuera. Even the little dogs look classy. Continue reading →

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The Big Auckland – Episode 6 – Farewells

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Ross

PhotographerAfter our big day out to the Auckland Art Gallery, we were all relatively exhausted. Our visitors from way down south had to head back home, so we’d probably done enough. Next morning there was packing up to be done. It’s kind of easier in 18.5 sq m of motorhome – there’s only so many places things can be. Andrew and Laura had done a great job fitting in with us. Continue reading →

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The Big Auckland – Round 5 – The Art of Auckland

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Ross

Auckland Art GalleryWith our visitors from way down south having an interest in art, it seemed that a visit to at least one gallery was a must. And if just one gallery then why not the biggest and best, the Auckland Art Gallery. The trip kept getting put back, thinking it’d be a good wet-day outing. And it did work out that way as towards the end of their week it was a bit wet and cold. Continue reading →

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The Big Auckland – Installment 4 – The North Shore

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Ross

Long Bay AucklandThe day after our day of to Piha we did nothing more strenuous than move north. Over the big Auckland Harbour bridge and up to the top end of the North Shore. Long Bay is the location of the Long Bay Regional Park and we’re allowed to park up in their car park for a night – being self-contained in all things needing containment. The day was mostly over by the time we got there, so there was just time for a walk up to the far end of the beach and back. Continue reading →

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The Big Auckland – Take 3 – Out West

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Ross

Piha Beach - West AucklandWe figured that a visit to Auckland should not be complete without a visit to a beach out on the west coast. So we headed off out west with our visitors from way down south. It wasn’t a blue-sky sort of day but West Auckland beaches specialise in brooding moods. Remember The Piano movie? Continue reading →

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The Big Auckland – Act 2 – Downtown

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Ross

 

ASB BuildingWith the weather staying fine, we decided to head downtown with our visitors from way down south. We worked out where we could park without needing another mortgage. (In fact, parking fees downtown seem to be less expensive than they were 10 years ago.) Then we launched off into the middle-morning traffic, aided by Dougal the GPS. The trouble with Dougal is that he’s a bloke and can mostly focus on only one thing at a time. Continue reading →

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The Big Auckland – Part One

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Ross

Auckland from One Tree HillShe’s a big place Auckland. The Herald newspaper last weekend made reference to it already having one third of New Zealand’s population (link). The current population is almost 1.5 million, and projected to reach 2 million inside 15 years from now. It’s growing at more than twice the rate of the rest of the country. She’s a big place and getting bigger.  Coming from way down south I’ve always been a bit fearful of approaching Auckland. Continue reading →

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Return to Ray’s Rest Reserve (and Kaiaua)

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Ross

Sunrise over Coromandel RangeFrom Thames we headed west and then north – up the other side of the Firth of Thames. Not far past Miranda we parked up on the Ray’s Rest road reserve beside the sea. It is all shell beds and a tide that goes out as far as you can see. Lots of seabirds, and sea. It wasn’t long before we were relaxing in the sunshine. Continue reading →

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Old Haunts – Thames Revisited

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Ross

Thames North SchoolWe headed north-east from the Bay of Plenty, stopping at Thames to visit Wyn’s friend there. We both have connections with Thames. I was born there, and so was Wyn’s Mum (probably) and her uncle (definitely). My family moved to Dunedin when I was six years old, so my memories are vague. I’ve passed through a number of times in the last 7 years. Each time I’ve been surprised by the lack of connection I’ve felt. Continue reading →

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Omokoroa Part 2

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Ross

Tauranga HarbourJust when I thought we were away from the Bay of Plenty, I remembered one more day – our last. We were still at Omokoroa, just north of Tauranga. It was a lovely calm dawn and there’s nothing more lovely than a calm dawn at Omokoroa. It’s on a headland in/on the Tauranga Harbour. A vehicle ferry goes from there over to Matakana Island. and there’s nice walks around the headland. Continue reading →

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Boosting the Mount Economy

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Ross

Fergusson ParkBeing back in the Bay of Plenty was nice. It was time for catching up with family and friends, and time for catching up with Tauranga – where we’ve probably spent more time than anywhere else since we’ve been on the road. We feel at home finding our way around Tauranga and Mount Maunganui and Papamoa – it’s familiar territory. Continue reading →

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Taupo To Tirau To Tauranga

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Ross

SH1The next morning was bleak and cold. We had a walk around the block at the Taupo airport before finally heading on north. The new bypass means we can bypass Taupo so we did. Wyn did some more driving which meant I could do some more looking around – which is fun. It always surprises us how much more we can see from the truck. Sitting up higher makes a big difference. Continue reading →

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Marton Mooching and Then Northwards

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Ross

MangawekeAfter our Wairarapa week, we stayed put in Marton for almost another week. We were at Wyn’s brother’s house and he has a great place for us to park up. I managed to hurt my back the first morning we were there – I overreached when putting a toilet cassette in the locker. So that was me written off for the weekend. Wyn’s brother offered to help fix some stone chips on the front of our car and that turned into a bigger job with me only able to stand around and watch. Continue reading →

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Out of the Wairarapa

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Ross

White KiwiIt was a good thing we’d made the most of the afternoon when we arrived a Castle Point, as the next morning wasn’t up to much. It was time to leave the east coast and head west, to the west coast. We headed back to Masterton, and then north. We’d figured on stopping at the Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre – we were keen on seeing the birds. We were pleased we did – firstly because we saw the eels. Continue reading →

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To Castlepoint and Back

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Ross

Castlepoint LighthouseAfter an interesting stay in Greytown, we finally moved our movable house, heading north up the Wairarapa. It wasn’t far to Masterton and from there we headed north-east towards the coast. It wasn’t much of a day with rain showers and lots of gray. The road was sealed all the way which was a bonus. We reached Castlepoint and checked into the camping ground – the only possible place to stay. Continue reading →

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