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Wendy SmithWendy Smith
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Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith

Bor i: Invercargill, New Zealand Les mer🇳🇿Invercargill
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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 56 - Sanson

      29. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

      It was a very windy night last night. Hot but couldn't have the windows open. Three of us parked at the club. I actually went for a shower this morning at the baths. There is a freedom camping spot outside the baths with a dump station I didn't know about. We live and learn.
      Sadly and annoyingly the paddleboat steamer was not going today. Starts next Friday. It is on tomorrow so I may or may not go. I looked around their museum.
      Had a look at some shops. First time I have done that. Got some things for the weekend.
      Drove to Bulls and saw the old married quarter we lived in. Loads are empty defence force houses and a lot seem to have wooden windows still. Never been upgraded.
      Was too early for the rally so had a quick look at the museum and some shops. Bulls sure has a lot of traffic going through. I think there are about six concrete bulls in Bulls
      Assembled for the rally and everyone seems very friendly and welcoming.      Les mer

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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2
      Enlarge it and you can see Ruapehu

      Day 55 - Whanganui

      27. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

      You just never know what I will have to write about.
      Loaded the blog and then there is a chap outside my campervan. I said I know you!! It was John. He is ex Air Force, and I met him after he posted a msg on the ex Air Force page that he was getting a hip replacement in Invercargill and was up for visitors. By the time I contacted him he was away back to Dunedin. He came back to Invercargill for a post-op checked and came for a coffee and we went to a rally at Fortrose (near Invercargill) before I left on this trip. John has a campervan too.
      We have stayed in touch and he was doing some father helping at the school where his son teachers and was passing through Waiouru.
      We were parked behind the Army Museum and I think there were 10 vehicles or more. Since it was such a lovely night I knocked on everyone's door and said happy hour at 5pm. Most came and were appreciative that someone had taken the bull by the horns and asked people. Loads of networking and swapping numbers of the ten that came along. First time I have had a happy hour in the North Island.
      Saw Ruapehu easily again this morning and even took a picture between Marton and Whanganui from a different aspect.
      I drove down to Whanganui via Taihape and had to stop and take a pic of the famous gumboot.
      I have spent the morning and early afternoon sorting documentation for my friend Linda's (Linda passed away in September) solicitor to enable me to get an inheritance. I walked for miles - I didn't but it seemed like it and my feet are sore.
      The bank, court house and library. Everyone was very helpful.
      Parked up at the Whanganui East Club where I stayed on the way up. They have water and a dump station, so that will be used tomorrow before I leave.
      Hope to go on the paddle boat steamer tomorrow - no vacancies but I hope someone won't turn up and I can go.
      Then I will go to a Free Wheelers Rally in Sanson.
      Weather hot here but windy today      Les mer

      Se oversettelse
    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 54 - Waiouru

      27. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

      My memories of the Desert Rd are from a very long time ago, when the boys were young. It had a few more corners to what I remember. Not sure why they are closing it in January for awhile. Seems in reason condition. The scene from the road is mostly scrub.
      I did finally see a mountain! I missed Taranaki and the other one that the name escapes me at present. I did take plenty of pics incase the clouds came over and it was gone again.
      Seeing the Army Museum was a must on my to do list. Loved it and so many names came to mind as I walked around from great uncles to uncles, and even a great great uncle. Robert David Smith in the Boer war. People I served with that went to Vietnam, to husband's of some I have met at reunions. I wonder what happened to the army chaps I did the medics course at Burnham with? Also thought of those that did CMT (compulsory military training) and some were at Burnham when I was there.
      I watched a video of Ray Seymour talking about his time in Vietnam and as most know it as Agent Orange but there were others Agent blue and white that were actually herbicides. He also talked about PTSD and how he got help 35 years after the events of the war and urged anyone watching his video that has had an "event" in their lives to get help. He is able to sleep at night now. He also headed an inquiry into herbicides for the NZ Govt.
      Talked to a staff member about giving them a copy of my interview of Roy, the 99 year old I recorded three years ago about his time in WW2 in the Army.
      Something else to sort when I get home and seek his family's permission.
      I was impressed that as I entered the museum there were pics of female soldiers (hope that is pc) but only one section on nurses in the war. How they got the hospital smell in that section is intriguing. As some will know there is a lack of acknowledgement of females at the Air Force Museum.
      I was surprised at the low price of getting in $8. I made several donations in different places and got a bit of memorabilia from the gift shop. Lovely day here and will stay the night.      Les mer

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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2
      1

      Day 53 - Turangi - Day 2

      26. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      This will be short and sweet.
      Managed to empty all my grey water, into a bucket and walk it over to the dump station. I have seen a lot of people emptying their grey water this way. Like I have said pleased I know how to empty it now. Grey water is from the sink, hand basin and shower. I have also tidied up the boot.
      Managed to go for a short walk. I was close to getting bike off the back of the camper but the wind is strong so decided against it.
      I have also finished my book. Second one on this trip and that is two more than I have read this year.
      The wind is very strong and frustrating because the windows in the camper are banging closed.      Les mer

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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2
      Taupo racecourse
      Some of the Van parkedLake Taupo

      Day 52 Turangi

      24. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

      Thankfully the loud noise from the race track next to the park stopped soon after I loaded my blog. It made the evening much more pleasant.
      The lady in the next camper came over and asked if I was a 'babe'. There is a Facebook group called Motorhome Babes. I am a member of it. You place something orange in the window of your Motorhome and others will know you are traveling on your own. Think this is the first one I have come across on this trip. We had a lovely conversation. Rose is from Howick in Auckland and has a black lab that travels with.
      This morning I could actually see a mountain before I left Taupo! No where to stop and take a picture easily. Not sure what mountain it was - sorry. I can't seem to see what the name is, on my map.
      I was able to do my laundry when I arrived at Turangi. Sheets needed a freshen up, plus other stuff.
      So there I was, washing in the machine, nice sunny day I decided to sit outside the laundromat and a police car with siren and lights going parks almost right in front of me. A car with a male driver needed to be spoken. Three police officer, were at the scene. They talked for a few minutes to the driver and then they must have decided the driver of the car needed to go with them. He was not happy about that to put it mildly and one policeman said get out of the car now or I will trazer you. My little old heart was racing to see something like this in real life. Some would have got their phone out and recorded it but I wasn't sure what to do. Just sat there.
      The man did get out of the car using very bad language and I reckon he wasn't much a fan of the police. They took him away. Excitement over for the day/week.
      I happily waited for my laundry to finish. Small towns things can be interesting occasionally at midday!
      On to the NZMCA park. Very quiet here but more are arriving.
      Lovely day but a cool wind.      Les mer

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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2
      Very pleased I read this would never have known!

      Day 51 - Taupo

      24. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

      I could have headed the blog - not in Rotorua.
      Walked down to get a piece of chicken for my tea. Didn't know that is what I was going to have till I got there. Easy as to cook with my salad and I even cooked some new potatoes to go with it. No mint though.
      This morning I did a drive around Rotorua. Couldn't see any land marks from our trip here as a kids. Dad worked on the railway and got cheap/free fares and one time there was a softball tournament in Rotorua so we came up. Pretty unusual for a large family in those days to travel so far.
      It was then on to Orakei. My cousin said it was magical. It is probably half way between Rotorua and Taupo. 20k from the main Rd.
      What an amazing setting. Loved it and can understand why Pete and Carmen said if you can go - do it.
      Photos probably don't do it justice.
      A small ferry takes you across the lake to the thermal activity. Probably two or three minutes from one side to the other. 2.5ks around and so many lovely things. I had forgotten boiling mud is more grey than brown. The geyser boiling water, the cave as well all so good to see. Yes a Sulphur smell but not too bad.
      Very pleased I went.
      It was then on to Taupo. At the NZMCA park at the racecourse and the side car track is next door and they are having a meet today. Hope they will finish in the next hour or so because it is very noisy!
      Weather excellent      Les mer

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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 50...!! Still in Rotorua

      23. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

      Life throws us some curve balls and it is how we react makes us the people we are.
      After yesterday's blog I was told in no uncertain terms that I need to get on with it and that is what Lesley would want. What did I do yesterday?
      Emptying the grey water had been a challenge for me in both the South Island and again this trip. It wouldn't 'go' and two chaps in the park helped me and said my valve wasn't opening. Gave me a place to go to, so off I went. They were too busy with other customers. I phoned around plenty of others and all too busy. Ended up at a delightful plumber, and his parents had many caravans and knew how to help. Turns out because this is an older model the level is very important. The tank emptied easily in front of his business because it was on a slight slope. Might be a bit of a challenge but at least I know how to sort it now and no more worries.
      I then popped to the supermarket, came back to the camper and got the txt from Winston about Lesley. We are a large family and I understood him communicating that way. It was beautifully worded.
      I scuttled back to the motorhome park to my comfort zone.
      I am lucky to have so many good friends and family to support me. I am so grateful for my phone and the internet. It made it so much easier. A lot of messages were sent directly to me, not on the blog site. All the caring was a great comfort to me. Thank you so much.
      As Lesley wanted I was off walking this morning and I guess the lake is less than a k from here.
      Next it was Self Drive Rail Cars, right next to the motorhome park.
      Timed it well considering I hadn't pre-booked.
      On my own I wasn't totally sure I could manage it but the instructions seemed simple enough. So I was first off the blocks. Five cars left around the same time, but behind me. The track is about 10k there and of course the same back. Excellent views of paddocks, native bush, farm land, and I could even see the campervan park. Pretty much self drive but I had a brake if i needed it. A bunny was in front of me at one stage, thankfully it zoomed out of the way so I didn't have to make a decision whether to stop or not. In the commentary they said about a cave but I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of it. Pretty amazing.
      Took 46 minutes to get to the other end. I arrived and not long after another couple arrived. Then the chap working for the company said some 'car' had a problem and was stopped. We waited and waited probably for almost an hour before they arrived. When they did we were told free ice creams for everyone. I was first away back. It was very slow in parts but kept going. Pleased to be back at base again. They refunded half the fare.
      It was too late then to do other things I wanted to here in Rotorua.
      Decided to stay yet one more night.
      Now to wander back to the shops and find something for my meal tonight.      Les mer

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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 49 - Day 3 at Rotorua

      22. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

      It is with much sadness I share that my dear sister-in-law Lesley passed away this morning, peacefully, surrounded by her loving family after a three year journey with cancer. Lesley and her husband, my brother, Winston live in Christchurch.
      A memorial service for Lesley will be held next year.      Les mer

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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 48 - Ngonotaha Rotorua

      21. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

      When I am writing my blog I pretty much have to have everything ready. Spelling has never been one of my strongest subjects and unless I get the word before I start, it can be a problem.
      Last night and tonight I am at Ngonotaha, just outside of Rotorua. No Sulphur smell this far out.
      After I loaded the blog last night I walked down to the local shops and the Post Shop was still open. Very pleased I am more than legal with my road user charges. For those that don't know, this vehicle runs on diesel and we have to pay so much a kilometer in tax - road users charges where petrol is charged at the pump. Some will remember that I was very behind when I was in Christchurch, but wouldn't make that mistake again! I still have 700 ks to go before I run out. Different vehicles are charged at different rates. Mine were $393 for 5000 ks. Now I will be okay till I get home. I must have done over 5000 ks
      Today I have not been off the property. Cold miserable day. Read this morning and talked to friends on the phone. This afternoon I thought I would get moving but it bucketed down again so very lazy day.
      This NZMCA park actually has 4 levels not 3 as I said yesterday and plenty of extras. See the rhubarb? There are lemons inside the rec room for anyone wanting them.
      Thank you for reading      Les mer

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    • Wendy SmithReisendeRetirement Holiday- number 2

      Day 47 Rotorua

      20. november 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

      Great food again last night that Christine cooked. We got talking family trees long into the night. Good to see Brent and Christine again and always good value and the time apart is never a barrier.
      This morning I drove to Mount Maunganui - saw a fuel station with diesel $1.76 so I was in like a flash. Tauranga was in the $1.93 or more bracket. Little cheaper here but I was happy with 20 cents or so cheaper.
      I was meeting Maria an old workmate for coffee. Txt the wrong person! Low and behold she was walking into the car park as I arrived. Perfect timing. Coffee and chat catching up. No photos sadly, she hopped into the motorhome to show me the way out of the car park mall and all yellow lines so she dashed off. I saw her earlier this year in Invercargill so it hasn't been a long time.
      It was then on to Rotorua. About an hour I think. Toll road very smooth and my old campervan doesn't rattle so it is well worth the few dollars.
      I checked out the motorhome park. Biggest one I have been in with three levels. I have a great spot and can see the lake. It is quite a way from the town.
      I have been up the gondola. Similar to Queenstown with the luge and I think there is a mountain bike track.
      All good. Who knows what tomorrow will bring      Les mer

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