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  • Carole Hennessy
  • Carole Hennessy

Bucket list starts here

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  • Début du voyage
    20 janvier 2019
  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Singapore to Christchurch

    24 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Arrived Christchurch 1245.29c .Hotel very quiet but clean. Terrible problems with wi fi.Bought an iPad in Singapore cause phone is not working. Still terrible problems but think it's me. Poor Chrissy is probably fit to murder me!! Walked around town centre lots of vacant lots where buildings were pre earthquake. Had best Thai curry ever tonight.early night to try and beat jet lag.En savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur
    Doris the van

    Travels in the van

    25 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Picked up DORIS the van today. Bit like old days driving a carrier just missing twos and blues !!Nathan took about an hour to explain everything...so many gadgets....but we ve driven from Christchurch to Oamaru safely .very rural but good straight road all the way. Settled into sight to get organised don't know how. Long were here for.En savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Oamaru on a wet day

    26 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Raining all day in Oamaru but out round the town all day.It was once the same size as Los Angeles .Full of massive Victorian buildings which gradually went into decay .An area around the old docks is being revived as an arts area. Lots of galleries and strange things. It's the steampunk centre of NZ!! Off to see Blue little penguins tonight they are rare and apparently come ashore around 8pm so going to do a David Attenburgh
    Has the oldest public gardens in NZ which the camp site backs on to.when I work out I pad I ll upload photos .meanwhile camera will have to do .can recommend Top10 campsite on Chelmer Street.Very clean and quiet, good facilities,free wi fi,    En savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Pick up a penguin.

    26 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Tonight we went to watch penguins arrive inshore to nest..We managed to see one yellow eyes penguin the rarest in the world ! It was the only one to land and go to nest so very lucky. We were about 100 feet above the beach so very small even with binoculars.Then we went to see the little blue penguins .we were there 3 hours and saw 71 out of about 170 pairs. There were also fur seals basking. It's a special area so no photos allowed. I.ll have to buy a post card. We'll worth it .This is a lovely town we'll worth a visit .off around Otago Peninsula tomorrow.See what that holds. We haven't,t killed each other yet so fingers crossedEn savoir plus

  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Boulders and swimming dams

    27 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Overcast morning on leaving Oamaru. The van is still surprising us Well fitted out but you would have to be 5st to comfortably fit in shower, sitting on the loo is exciting!!went down coast road to see the boulders in the sea at. . Very overcast but warm The place was full of tourists, including us!.Carried in to Palmerston the turned off up country. It reminds me of crossing the Moors in Yorkshire except the sheep aren't on the road!!. Went off road, up to Naseby. A very old town set in a forest. We found the swimming dam which is the reservoir for the forest fire fighter,Full if kids swimming, beautifully kept grounds even toilets are spotless. Then into Ranufly looking for freedom campsite.headed off towards Alexander and eventually set up camp just off main road near Wedderburn.All set for tonight .Let's see what the morning brings .En savoir plus

  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Otago Central and salt flats

    28 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Survived the freedom camping at the road side and set off to Ranfurly visitor centre
    Really helpful girl there building g is old railway station. An old Victorian. Holding g with ironwork canopies.Got to Middlemarch and had lunch in a beautiful cafe which has only been open 2 years but again an old. Holding with beautiful cottage garden and fabulous food. Called the Kissing Gate....highly recommended.Went from there off road to Sutton Salt Flats.A nature reserve e which takes about 1 hour to walk round unless you leave your I Pad on a rock in the middle and have to go back.😰😰😰.Carried on to Dunedin through strange rocky hill, sheep,gorges and steep hill . Eventually arrived at a Freedom camping site at Brighton Beach south of Dunedin .Apart from having to park next to bins as the only place left the beach made up for it. Miles of white sand , the Pacific rolling in and no people. Katherine Lilley eat your heart out!!!. Met a lovely German girl Nina who was travelling on her own in a car and she came and had tea with us, I think she was glad of the company. Have to be up at 630am to be off site by 8am.En savoir plus

  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Dunedin traintrip

    29 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Up at the crack of dawn to find garage and get to Dunedin for 9am. Either they go to work really early here or their rush hour bares no resemblance to UK 😁Got in too early do went in search of early morning coffee which we found opposite the Law Court. Dunedin founded by the Scots and again full of Victorian buildings. The station is a work of art ..beautiful.We had booked on the 930am Taieri Gorge historic train from Dunedin to Pukerangi.It follows the old train line which transported the cattle sheep and gold from central Otago to Dunedin for onward shipping throughout the world. It's hayday was the 19th century.It travels along the course of the Taieri river to Punerangi where it stops and returns. Dave the train guide did a fabulous commentary . I personally would have preferred a one way trip but if you are not in a group you have to return to pick up transport you,be left. We had a lunch in the Octagon area and went to pick up Doris to find we had a ticket😱😱😱for 40 dollars as our car park ticket had blown over and it couldn't,t be read 😭that's an argument for the council tomorrow!!!. Off to campsite at Kaikori which is very good. Settled in with red wine much needed🤗🤗🤗En savoir plus

  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Albatross or Albatri??

    30 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Up early to get in and sort out parking ticket. Just had to fill out proforma....if they want to chase me to Ireland for 40 dollars they,re welcome😁. Out to albatross sanctuary in Otago peninsula fabulous to see them for real apart from the climb up!! Have got to say everybody we have met so far Kiwis and rest have been really friendly. All travellers are in same boat so we all share info.Took the Southern scenic route out to Taiera Mouth to camp ,It had various reviews good and bad but some were ,5 years old. Quiet , clean , a bit tatty but had showers toilets water laundry and electricity.Also dogs and chickens. Pauline who owned out a real character, she bought it from the old lady who ran it and has been doing it up gradually. Feet from the most fantastic beaches. We had our first swim in the Pacific. Nice bottle of red with neighbouring campers had a long chat about NZ.En savoir plus

  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Caitlins here we come

    31 janvier 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Left campsite in heatwave which carried in all day...got to 33c at on stage. Stopped at Balclutha information office which is really good for local info. Headed off to Kaka Point for excellent coffee and views then on to Nugget Point to see seals ,cormarants and fantastic views. Got to say these beaches are fabulous, miles of white sand and empty .then headed to Pounawea an inlet very quiet for break from driving. The road is the main highway but we keep turning off. Not much traffic but very hilly. Scenery here is very green and lots of sheep one of which tried to hitch a ride while Chris driving😱😱😱on then to Papatowai to see the Lost Gypsy. He,s an artist who makes automatons from junk. Really laid back, arty man who has obviously abandoned the rat race.Next to him was the ice cream seller who is also a park ranger. We got the biggest most delicious ice creams we,be had from him, a long conversation about saving the area and directions to a free campsite right on Tautuku Bay. Again an unforgettable empty beach and still in the high 20,s .He did warn us about a storm due tonight so don't park under the trees. Also don't,t wander off the tracks in the forests....it's like a jungle. The sandflies have now appeared and luckily find Chrissy far tastier😁😁😁Rain started during the night!En savoir plus

  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Heading south

    1 février 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Left in a rainstorm to head south but it had gone after about 20 mins..down through the Caitlin's. On one side the coast on the other rainforest and sheep 😍down to the beaches just can't believe how white and empty they are. Saw dol0hins swimming in Curio Bay . Carried on to Slope Point the southernmost part of mainland NZ The wind was in redible.Two you g men had been swept off the rocks 2 days ago and still searching Met Sheila White a lady from Treorchy Wales married to a Kiwi farmer. She invited us home for the and banana and chocolate chip cake ..who could resist😎😎Had a nice time , her Welsh accent came out the more she spoke to Chris!!her 18 yearold son came in having g sheared600 sheep's bums that morning .Off to Invercargill tonight.Not impressed with Invercargill Had a drink and eats in a bar whose name defeats me and headed out of town to campsite at Alex McKenzie Arboretum about an hour's drive away. Met a lovely American family in a VW camper, don't know how they all fitted in!! We re off to The Anua tomorrow do early nightEn savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Te Anau and an Indian

    2 février 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Off to Te Anau via Nightcaps and Mossburn. Stopped to admire house in Nightcaps and owner a masseuse invited us in It was the original courthouse, then a church and now private dwelling. All wood inside looked like a ship's hull .At Mossburn found The Dome cafe. Highly recommended for cakes and coffee. Honestly we don't do this all day but have to give credit😎😎 on to Te Anau to campsite. Got to give credit to Top 10 campsites. They are excellent, clean all facilities well laid out. We,ve booked in for 2 days . After freedom camping for three days need a shower, get the laundry done and top up water and electricity to charge everything .Free wi fi so can catch up with this and messages .beautiful site right opposite the lake..went for walk around town which is buzzing pint of cider in gastro pub ( note no food had here,) Back to book trip to Milford Sound tomorrow. After catching up with jobs got dressed up!! No shorts,!! Off for an Indian and an early night as early start tomorrowEn savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Milford Sound

    3 février 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Off at 0800 with 15 others and Bruce the guide. Apparently it should have rained for last 2 weeks to get the best views of the sound and 500+ waterfalls.....oh well. Bruce very informative and made lots of photo stops.eventuslly arrived at the sound and boarded boat for the cruise. Beautiful scenery and lots of photos. Have got to say they won't do it justice.The sheer size is amazing. Only 2 big waterfalls Stirling and Lady Byron to be seen .apparently if you get wet from Stirling Falls you.ll look 10 years younger tomorrow😊 here,s hoping!!.Out to the Tasman sea and then back into the sound. The only wildlife we saw were fur seals...no whales or dolphins😧 We then went to the underwater observatory that has been built. You walk down 60 steps underwater to a glass o servatory. Not sure whose watching who ..you or the fish etc😱.After we went back on the boat to the dock and then carried on back to Te Anau. On the way we stopped at a sheep farm to watch them shearing. They average about 300 sheep each a day. Back breaking work ...needless to say I went looking for the dogs who were very sorry looking....not like my spoilt boys. Back at Te Anau we stopped off for our pint of Isaacs cider before getting back to camp to get dinner ready. Let's see what tomorrow brings, as yet no plans but heading for QueenstownEn savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Queenstown and boats

    4 février 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    Travelled to Queenstown for some tourist time. Very busy beautiful setting. Met a nice Belfast lad who organised Shotover jet ski ride absolutely great fun but got soaked as sitting in outside!! Of course had to get photo, video etc at the end!!. Great Icecream here can recommend Patagonia on the harbour . Headed if as we're aiming for Mt Cook so got past Cromwell and found a camping stop. Just settled down for night when car and security arrived to check us. Didn't open doors but spike through blinds; he was satisfied we were ok as we have a self contained van so can park up anywhere .Forgot to mention sandflies😱😱😱😱😱😱worse than mossies you don't hear them!!!!only thing wrong with NZ😱😱😱En savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Does Mt. Cook exist?

    5 février 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Off we tracked to Mt Cook through the centre of NZ. From grassland to mountains, forests to lakes the most incredible turquoise blue surely someone has put a huge pot of dye in them .As we headed we realised there was cloud.....not only cloud but Mt. Cook had gone!!! As we arrived....rain!!!! We sat around went to the Edmund Hilary I formation centre, which is fantastic . Eventually gave up and took the long road to Wannaka. We found a lovely campsite and settled down with the rest of the wine whilst the river flowed past the site.En savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Foxs and Franz Josef glaciers

    6 février 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    We set off heading g north up through My Aspiring National Park and the Haast Pass. Again the scenery is stunning and only small communities not big enough at times even to call them villages.The temperatures are remaining high trying to remember to drink and cover yourself in Deet for the sandflies is hard😭😭😭We are both eaten alive with them .We were warned about them They must be related to Scottish midges. Having left the trees of the national park we went along the coast road having seen our first view of the Tasman Sea. A very different type to the Pacific much bigger waves too rough to swim 🤔Bruce Bay was lovely .Eventually we reached Fox Glacier Chris had been there 20 years ago when she walked on it .Now you can get to 450 meters of it after a 1 1/2km walk.but you see. Hardly anything. I couldn't make the whole walk as it was too tough so went back for the and .y book! Very disappointed.when you see where it was in 1935 and 1750 you realize climate change is real. Onwards t m lo Franz Josef glacier. There is again a long uphill track which I can't do. But slightly more to see.From a track leading g to Gillespies beach we looked back and saw a far better view of Fox glacier and it looked like one.😃we headed on up the coast to Greymouth.after lunch at the beach, not the nicest one, we re used to, and carried on north to Pancake Rocks. Well worth the long drive.strange rock formations and weird caves caused by the sea..A well earned ice cream was eaten while watching the world go by. Onwards again,I feel like i.ve been on the road for days and made it to Redfin for the night. Our 4th freedom camp in a row.Roll on a Top Ten site for hot shower and so.e Washing😆😆
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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Hanmer Springs

    8 février 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Had a walk round Reefton before leaving for Hammer Springs campsite .....need a shower and to do washing!!! Reefton the first town in NZ to have electricity. it's part of the NZ Goldfields and the largest nugget ever found in NZ came from there. It ended up in England in a tea set for King George🤔the town centre itself looks like an old cow boy town from the film's.Wide street,boardwalk and verandas .The people are really welcoming and we had a good time in the hunting shop discussing gun laws and then in the art gallery. We then set off until we got to Lake Daniel for coffee and cake ( again!!).we met a lovely couple from East Anglia who bought a motorhome and now spend 6 months in UK and 6 months driving round NZ in mobile home ..what a way to lessen electricity bills!!eventually reached the top ten site in Hammer Springs.First job get the washing do e then a hot shower ..bliss😁😁😁the site is quite small and we probably let the side down hanging washing over fences and hedges to dry. To be fair it was so hot it dried in an hour . Had Dutch neighbours who we spent some time with and an English man travelling on his own since last November so he was good for I formation .Hammer Springs has lots of thermal baths etc seems like a trendy place and in the winter they ski there. We're off to Kaikura tomorrow to whale watch on Sunday. Still worried about the forest fires further north ,may have to change plansEn savoir plus

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  • Carole HennessyBucket list starts hereVoyageur

    Whales and Irish Roots

    9 février 2019, Nouvelle-Zélande ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    On way to Kaikura stopped at small town of Rotherham for tea and cake!! Met the owner Moira from Glasgow who recommended staying at Donegal Hotel outside Kaikura. The family home to the Boyd's from Donegal since 1860,s It was a farm now a hotel and campsite.typical white Irish cottage 6 acres of beautiful gardens and non stop Dubliners etc.Had a drink with the owners partner after signing in then off to discover Kaikoura. Not very interesting place touristy. Had been hit by an earthquake 2 years ago but didn't see any signs. Had dinner in local pub trying to find wi fi that worked. Returned to campsite and after having a large cider even though there was draught Guinness on tap and listened to non stop pogues decided to go to bed as early startEn savoir plus

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