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Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith

Living in: Invercargill, New Zealand Read more🇳🇿Invercargill
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    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 28 - Otorohanga - night 2

      October 30, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      Again last night some very heavy showers. No wind or the trees behind me protected me.
      When I was in New Plymouth something trigged the memory banks and I remembered that David Smith's second wife was from this area. Actually it was Whanganui. Close. I was contacted earlier this year from a chap up this way that was a descendant of Sarah Sole/Bason. I contacted him and he was available this morning. A couple of good hours talking family tree and ruled out a couple of people I thought may have been related to my David Smith and an address of another person to contact that maybe able to help with my David Smith.
      I then went to the Kiwi House here in Otorohanga. Parked quite away from it and walked. Saw the lovely poppies on the way.
      Interesting how long it takes for your eyes to adjust, when you get into the kiwi enclosure. As most will know kiwi's hunt for food at night and sleep during the day so they have a building that reverses that situation so us two legged people can see them in their looking for food. Loads of facts that I would most likely get wrong so I won't quote anything. I did see one kiwi looking for food. Great ah. No pictures allowed of course.
      The place is being renovated so a lot was unable to be accessed. Loads of lovely birds outside. They have a tutatara but I couldn't see it.
      Back in the park again tonight. Few more vehicles here than last night. Not sure I parked on the right side. The ones opposite are getting the sun now.
      Not sure when this will upload, zero bars at the moment      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 27 - Otorohanga

      October 29, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌩️ 14 °C

      It was a rough night last night with wind and very heavy hail showers. The camper was rocking and I was alone!
      At the NZMCA park they have free veg, fruit, books, magazines for anyone. At New Plymouth they had small Kowhai and I took one. Hope it gets back to Invercargill in one piece and still alive. They have rhubarb here.
      No mountain view again this morning - seemingly loads of people had visited multiple times before they got to see it.
      The road I traveled on today had a lot of BIG trucks going in both directions. I will be keen to know what is happening maybe on Mount Messenger, some great construction being erected. Two car parks full of workers vehicles.
      Stopped in Poipio for a break, then I had a wander around Te Kuiti.
      An enormous statue of a shearer. Lovely little Japanese garden. Brass plaques of notable people born in Te Kuiti. Jim Bolger, David Fagin, Colin Meads, Koro Watere, Les Munro - a famous pilot and Rangimarie Helet - Interesting reading.
      I then went to the museum. Small but worthwhile. An old postie bike.
      On to Otorohanga for the night, in the NZMCA park. Again we are so lucky with so many walking tracks in NZ. One right at the back of the camp      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
      1

      Day 25 - New Plymouth- night 2

      October 27, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

      Lynette picked me up last night we did a driver around the sea/wharf/foreshore and then went to her place for a meal. Like I said I am so blessed I haven't had to fend for myself.
      Did a few chores this morning and then Lynette came and got me and we went in her car to towards the Tawhiti Museum.
      As we went through Inglewood there was a Sunday market. We stopped and loads of great things. I know today we went to several small towns and I don't remember all (if any of their names) but there were a lot. Stratford, Eltham, Hawera, Opunake to name a few.
      The Museum was so well done. We only scratched the surface on things to look at. We went in a little boat. Amazing what they can do.
      We took the coastal road and ended up going to Dawson Falls. Certainly a bit of a challenge with the steps but as always good to increase the fitness level.
      The day went so quickly and we ended up eating in an old railway carriage.
      As we past a statue I had to take a picture. Peter Snell had been born there.
      If the fairy cloud movers are up to their magic would they be able to move the clouds so I could see Mount Taranaki tomorrow please?      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 24 - New Plymouth

      October 26, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

      This morning I left Loren and Bruce's after a great couple of days. They are excellent hosts and I felt very welcome. Having Bruce's parents there with their camper was an added bonus.
      John - Bruce's Dad, asked if I minded windy (as in curvey not blowing windy) roads. I said I had driven over Queens Charlotte Sound and the Bullar Gorge, so I am good.
      The road that I went on was in better condition than Queen Charlotte for sure.
      It was Pipriki and it would follow the Whanganui river down. I went through Jerusalem - pretty amazing.
      It was very windy - as in loads of bends no gust. Slow and steady. Thankfully not many cars. I only pulled over once to let someone pass me.
      The on coming traffic was another matter. At one stage four cars were coming towards me, young males going way too fast for the size of the road. Another corner a modern vehicle was on my side of the road and I had to stop. The horn was definitely used..!! I do have a dash cam but I don't know how to download from the memory. Writing down the time would have helped probably if I knew how to do it.
      I went slow and no other incidents. Slow and steady.
      Once I got back to Whanganui it was on to New Plymouth. Loads more cars.
      Then the rain started. It bucketed down. The wind was up as well. As always took it slowly and pulled over to allowed traffic to pass.
      Found the NZMCA park and I have emptied the black waste. Grey tomorrow.
      My friend Lynette (non Air Force lol) will come and get me and cook for me tonight at her place. I am so lucky how many nights is that I haven't had to fend for myself?
      The NZMCA park is in Bell Block, New Plymouth. Dad was here during the war. Hope I can see a little of that history.
      I think there are a couple of mountains here that I could have seen but alas the cloud cover zero pics of mountains.
      Great scenery today to spite the "interesting" road.      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 26 - New Plymouth- Day 3

      October 25, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

      This morning I had a book that Lynette had given me in Invercargill so I wanted to read the last 100 pages so I could return it to her. Alas I see it still sitting here when we have had our last good byes. Blast it.
      The weather has been pretty grotty here today with strong wind and hail a few times. Did manage a short walk to see take a photo of Fulton Hogan, New Plymouth branch for my brother Winston that works for them in ChCh.
      Once again Lynette picked me up and we went for late lunch/early tea. We went down by the habour and had the best seafood chowder I have eaten in along while. I wonder if the chap in the hammock was cold?
      We sat by the sea and watched the wind surfers, people braving the waves and talking.
      More driving around to see interesting things. Like other places loads of walkways. The white bridge is part of the costal walkway but the weather was too rough to walk it.
      Back to Lynette's for a shower and hair wash. She had dried and folded my washing. Forgot the photo again but there is the one of us the boat together. She has been so good to me.
      For the next part of my journey there isn't a plan like I have had up until now. I did start writing a few notes and studying the map. I want to go as far as Kaitaia. Not sure of what and where I will go from here. No luck with the seeing Mount Taranaki, what happened to the cloud fairies??      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 23 - Raetihi - day 2

      October 25, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

      When you are doing the trip that I am doing you can change plans easily. After an early start yesterday and perhaps later to bed than I normally would, it was 8-15 before I woke up. Cuppa and a chat with Loren decided to stay another night. Loren is interested in genealogy we had lots to talk about and just other topics.
      After I decided to stay on, Loren very kindly took me out driving in her electric car. Not sure I have ever been in one before. Do paxsters count?
      We went to the cemetery and they are always interesting. We did a walk next to it.
      Raetihi is a small town, one Four Sqare, one petrol station, couple of takeaway shops and couple of other shops. It was a logging town in its day. Loads of empty premises.
      On the tour and Loren is an excellent tour guide, we went to Ohakune and she took me up the mountain. Cloud cover meant no sight of the mountain today. I think it was 15 k up the mountain. Good tarsealed road. Saw the ski fields.
      Ohakune is the carrot capital. See the pictures at the kids park.
      The men have been building a kitset tomato house for Loren. It has automatic vents! How amazing is that?
      Loved my time here and pleased I was able to stay on another night.
      I will go to New Plymouth tomorrow      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 22 - Raetihi

      October 24, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

      Thank you, Vanessa, for the extra explanation about where we were, etc. Like I said I wrote it up and then it wouldn't load so I had to do it again. I didn't remember some of the things. Thank goodness for friends.
      My morning started early and meet Alison (ex Air Force) and Vanessa at 9am because Alison had work at 10am.
      Great to see them and to get a photo I didn't of Vanessa and me before I left yesterday. Couldn't get one of her food from last night because we had eaten it- sorry.
      I then went to the supermarket and got a few things. I need fuel also for thhe camervan. Now I am no longer talking about beds perhaps fuel will be the next "situation "..!
      Could be too much detail but I used a Mckeowns card on the South Island trip.
      Not many here in the north or their partners. Knew I would have to get fuel before before I left Whanganui so been noticing the prices as I was driving around. Most were around $1..77 for diesel. Must have been along weekend special. I got it for $1.54 at NPD. Very pleased.
      I then went on to Raetihi. Stopped and took a photo of the waterfall on the way.
      Long story. When Jack was born another lady in the hospital, Marcie had a daughter two days later. We become good friends. Their second daughter lives here, Loren.
      Fabulous old house that was a small hospital and then a maternity hospital in years gone by. They have done a massive amount to it, being an old wooden building. So big. Loren is married to Bruce and Bruce's parents are here as well in their campervan. Five bedroomed house, two people sleeping in it and two campervans in the driveway. Great conversation.
      Great meal tonight and Loren's pav was top of the line.
      I have been so very lucky to experience so many people cooking delicious food for me. I am blessed      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 21 - Whanganui Day 2

      October 23, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

      Version 2 of today's blog. Typed it up and it wouldn't upload then lost it.
      This morning Vanessa (ex Air Force) arrived for morning tea and then she took me to be a tourist. We went up the lift that was built in 1916 and as she said it would have been pretty amazing technology back then. They installed it because trams weren't able to get up the hill. The view from the top was amazing and very pleased I went. Loved the tunnel walking to it and the echo as I made some sounds like a school kid.
      We then went to a grand old building for lunch (dinner), really old school and tasty food. Forgot to take a picture of it - sorry.
      Vanessa and I walked along the banks of the river. Saw a couple of people fishing.
      Back to Vanessa's loads more talking and she cooked me a meal. I have done very well with eating out this week. Again very tasty.
      She has just dropped me home and I am pleased I have one other couple staying at the same place.
      For those interested I didn't need the rug last night and that is the last of the bed sagas!      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 20 - Whanganui

      October 21, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

      The NZMCA park at Marton is pretty small. Talked to the neighbours and Joy thought there were showers. Certainly showers - cold ones! I opted not to be adventurous. It was a small camping ground that was owned by the Council before the NZMCA took it over.
      One campervan similar size to mine with two occupants at least had three massive dogs. Wonder how it is with them traveling. They barked a few times that didn't go down well with me.
      Little things that are interesting. After Stephen got the drawer open I was able to have my meal on a plate last night. I had been using the top of the cracker container! Lovely salad and it will be the same tonight with the great weather.
      At the park they have two grapevines growing for the campers when they fruit. Good thinking. Look how well I parked in closeness to the fence?
      This morning I went to visit yet more ex Air Force people. Mike and Gaylene. They have just moved into their new home and it is, as you will imagine super lovely.
      Then it was on to Whanganui. Bit of a challenge finding Rockgas to get my gas bottle filled. Then they didn't accept the loyalty card so big fat waste of time. Good that I have it filled.
      Had a walk around the Cbd, so my steps will be up today, because I parked quite a wee way away.
      Had hoped to go on the paddle boat steamer but only works Friday, Sat, Sun so hope I can do it on my way back.
      Bed saga! Found I was got too cold early this morning. I went to Bed and Beyond and got a light throw. Hope that will be enough! Incidentally the cover I got for $20 in Invercargill was $90 here!
      Couldn't find the NZMCA park in Whanganui. It seems the park I was looking for is no longer there. To spite using the app daily seems it hadn't been updating - now it is, so I won't go on wild goose chases.
      I am parked at the Whanganui East Club. Can stay up to four nights for the same price. Train track very close, hope they don't have a lit of trains in the night      Read more

    • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
      11

      Day 19 - Marton

      October 21, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

      This morning it was time to get on the road again. Nice spending some time with Denys. We have done pretty well with being together for Kings Birthday and then she came down for my birthday.
      My first stop today was at Foxton Beach. Always good to see Di and Stephen. Stephen and I were in the Air Force together. Bluffy too. I thought I would only go for morning tea but there still seemed things to catch up on so I sent a txt to Mike and said I am delayed and will catch up tomorrow.
      Lovely lunch and then Stephen was able to help a single white female travelling alone. My top drawer in the camper couldn't be opened. The chopping boards had moved and lodged in the wrong place so Stephen was able to skillfully move them so the drawer could be opened. Needless to say they will not go back in the drawer so I won't have that problem again.
      Then as a true kiwi bloke he got too and washed the road work grim off the camper. Very happy to see my campervan all clean again. Well less dirty.
      It was then on to Marton. I stopped at New World to get something for my meal tonight. So lovely and warm I will have a salad.
      When I first got out of the Air Force I worked in a bedspread factory in Marton for a short time before I became a postie here. Good memories.
      At the NZMCA park in Marton for the night. Quite busy      Read more

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