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Retirement Holiday- number 2

October 2024 - July 2025
  • Wendy Smith
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An open-ended adventure by Wendy Read more
  • Wendy Smith
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  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    Southland Blue Cod
    Dessert1Camper home and parked up

    Day 76 - home

    December 18, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    My night last night was enjoyable. Great to see everyone and eat some Southland blue cod.
    I left as soon as I was finished eating. Home called and arrived about 9pm.
    As always good to be home.
    The garden very overgrown and will take a bit of work to get back into order - but hey I am retired so I have all day. Jack has planted some plants but hard to find them amongst the weeds.
    The house was okay. I thought my bedroom was small but after the camper it seemed big. Still had two duvets on. Warmed up a lot since I left.
    I was unable to sleep last night and was up when Jack came in from work at 3am and he actually went out and moved the camper into the driveway. So much easier to sort with less walking.
    This morning I did manage to do some serious cleaning in the camper, waste etc and washing. Great weather for it.
    I don't have a favorite spot in the North Island. Loads of great places.
    I wasn't as adventurous as some but pretty proud of what I did achieve.
    My GPS was excellent and not sure if I would have embarked on such a journey without it. Reading maps and driving would have been difficult on my own.
    The camper went very well and the only incident was at Stanmore Bay RSA when my bike rack was damaged.
    I traveled 6259k. I have wondered how many of those ks were in the wrong direction when I missed a turning and then had to continue to find a turn around point. 50k perhaps?
    Felt very safe in the NZMCA parks and very grateful for the small amount they charge per night. $5. Grateful for the people that hosted me.
    Grateful for my phone and internet. It made things loads easy. I am very lucky to live in such a great country.
    I did struggle with pronouncing a lot of places and remembering where I had been.
    I hope I don't offend anyone but a special thanks to Lynette, Janice and John for driving me 100's of k's in their cars so I could see more of the country that I wouldn't have seen.
    I only scratched the surface of seeing what there is to see. Loads more to see.
    Having a retirement holiday has been a dream for many many years and I have done it. I really have!
    Not sure what is in store for me a suspect I will be making several trips to the North Island with AirNZ.
    Finally thank you to the many many people that read my blog. A lot have read it without downloading or commenting.
    You are all champions to be interested in me!    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    Oamaru A & P Show Gound

    Day 75 - Clinton-Mataura Highway

    December 18, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Last night I stayed at the A & P Show Grounds in Oamaru. Had a lovely chat to my neighbour, Stacey - just a young lass 40 years old travelling with her little dog. We talked about a load of subjects. I said about the Motorhome Babes and Freewheellers but she said they were a bit "old" and I would agree. Asked her to Christmas dinner..!! Don't like the idea of anyone having Christmas alone. Not sure if she will arrive or not. Couple of nice txts from her.
    Did a little shopping and got things away in the post. Great.
    When I went to post the parcels in Palmerston I could see the sorting case through the door. I said it bought back memories. The chap was loading his car and we chatted. He said his boss retired and he and his wife are traveling around NZ. Of course I know Murray and Heather but our paths haven't crossed on the road.
    Small world.
    It was then on to Dunedin. Tried to call in to see friends on Stuart St but way too hard for me parking a campervan. Next time.
    On to Mosgiel for lunch and called another friend and no reply so it was back on the road.
    My distances were all up the whoop and Hampden was 30 minutes or so from Oamaru..!! Decided to head home!
    The Compassionate Friends (a group for parents that are have lost children) are having their Christmas meal tonight at Wyndham. Decided since it was so close why not go. Hence my sitting in a lay by on the Clinton-Mataura road until it is time to turn up for the meal in just over an hour.
    I will be home before dark. Quick blog tomorrow then a round up with I hope lots of facts and figures.    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    Ealing
    Plenty of roomThe club houseMcKenzie monumentDenise and meAnother Denise and Wendy

    Day 74 - Oamaru

    December 17, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    The rain stopped thankfully not long after I arrived. No more rain since and the temp is around 16. Windy here.
    Looked around the building to learn a little. Pretty nice club house and even a dart board.
    It was on to Temuka to visit my old Cpl Denise. She turned 90 last week and sad that her two sons didn't make it down or over. One is in Auckland and one in Australia. Dear Marg had a lot of ex Air Force people sign a card and then posted it to Denise. She said it was the highlight of her birthday. Well done Marg. Feel frustrated that Denise doesn't have anyone from the RSA or Air Force assn popping in. Will work on that.
    On the the shops are trying to sort presents out for Christmas. Not successful. Try again tomorrow.
    Popped in to see yet another cousin. Another Denise. Good to catch up.
    I am now at Oamaru so getting closer to home.    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2

    Day 73 - Ealing

    December 16, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Last night it was very heavy rain. I was in the camper lovely and dry and warm.
    This morning I was off to see ex Air Force Marg and her husband Tom.
    Always good to be with them. On my journey up, I went for morning tea and ended up staying for lunch. Marg always has great china and presentation and yummy food. It seemed in no time at all it was time to go. Marg is a champion at trying to get things done for recognition of female RNZAF things. She is on a cancer journey but still finds a load of time to help others. Tom was away for a bit of surgery so hope he isn't disfigured and is able to eat Christmas dinner. The procedure was on his face.
    Back to sister Carolyn's. Dad's 96 year old cousin John,,arrived with our cousin Glenice for a luncheon. Sorry people more whitebait with new potatoes and salad. Delicious.
    I decided to hit the road and at the NZMCA park at Ealing. 25k south of Ashburton. Great spot.
    The drive from Christchurch was extremely wet. Wipers were on full and the temperature has dropped to 10 degrees. Bit of change since 30 on Saturday. Bit of excitement to be heading home    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    Brown grass
    Lavender is excellentWhere my campervan was parked but forgot the picture until I movedMore lavenderWinston and meWendy and WendyThe family

    Day 72 - Belfast

    December 15, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The weather was a bit cooler this morning and got down the road and thought I forgot photos so turned around and went back. The grass is brown compared to the green grass of October when I was last in Canterbury. The lavender is blooming wonderfully and the bees loving it at Winston's place.
    I went and got some fuel. Good to be able to use my Mckeowns card again. Didn't use it much or at all in the North Island. Not sure either it was the best price but certainly better than the North Island.
    I nipped and got a couple of presents in preparation for Christmas.
    Back to my sisters Carolyn for a combined lunch. Nieces, great nieces, great nephews and my brother. Lovely catch up but missed some of them. Auntie Wendy is getting shorter or the next generation are way too tall....!!
    I then tried to find a park at the shopping mall to catch up with my ex Air Force friend Wendy. She has had bit of a struggle with her health recently but hope she is on the mend. Great to see her again.
    Back to Carolyn's and catching up.    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    Good milk in my tea this morning
    Winston's presentationThe current jigsaw1WhitebaitChicken dinnerDearest Lesley

    Day 71 - Ohoka

    December 14, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Please to report my tea was fine this morning and as always love my cuppa in the morning. I did pack up my North Island map. Probably won't get the South Island one out this trip.
    It was off down the road and a bit hard momentarily to remember that I was still on the other side of Bleheim. I thought I might go out on the whale watch boat but needed to move a lot earlier in the day to get on that. It was too late for today.
    The drive down was okay. Loved seeing the sea. Traffic was busy in places. Hot 30 a lot of the time.
    Got to Amberly and did a big stock up of food. I have options again! Lady on the side of the road was selling whitebait so I stopped and got enough for two small patties after I arrived at Ohoka.
    Arrived at Ohoka to my brother's home. Pretty emotional. Winston is doing pretty well since the loss of his wife Lesley, three weeks ago.
    We cried, we hugged, we talked, we had a drink, we went for a walk and then he cooked a delicious meal. He has learnt a few things. Lesley was a great cook and her presentation of food was very professional.
    I didn't add any pieces to the puzzle.
    Lesley would be happy that I continued with my trip and as many said a very dedicated follow of my blog. Part of me can't be sad that she is no longer suffering and is at peace but oh how I would love to sit with her and talk about the things I done and places I have been.
    Very special lady.    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    They mowed the grass this morning

    Day 70...! Koromiko day 2

    December 13, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    I did sleep well last night. I was low on supplies but just wanted to park up and didn't bother with the supermarket. I have baked beans, soup, rice and a few other things. One bottle of beer that I consumed. Zero wine. I also had bacon and eggs so that was my meal.
    In bed very early.
    Very pleased the milk was still okay for my cuppa this morning, would have missed that. Wonder if it will be okay tomorrow.
    I was able to talk with a couple of Invercargill friends via the phone. Great catch up.
    The day was lovely. This spot is excellent.
    Plimmerton was practical but it is gravel. This has lovely grass, trees surrounded by hills and paddocks. No trains or cars and so I remained.
    Found a rug and lay on the grass and listened to my music.
    So not much to say but a love the sun, surroundings and my music    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    Parliament view while I was waiting to board
    I was on board and these cars were still coming on board

    Day 69

    December 12, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    The usual pre travel things to do to the camper before departure. A bit of apprehension with the camper not having been driven for a few days. All good an easy start and away I went.
    I have come along way with my confidence in my driving and getting to the ferry terminal it was very easy. I was a little unsure which gate to go in but I was spot on and made the correct decision. Pretty pleased with my ability.
    There seems a lot more people and cars on board. I'm not sure though. Smooth sailing. Was off the ferry within 20 minutes of being allowed to gonto our vehicles.
    At the NZMCA park at Koromiko that is really lovely, surrounded by lovely bush and trees probably 20 minutes from Picton towards Blenhiem    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    1Famous cake shop next to the campervan park

    Day 68

    December 10, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    John and I went for a walk last night by the Plimmerton beach. Lots of interesting things to see and read about. Even people swimming.
    This morning we went to see if I could find the right house after me walking so very far last week. Sadly no one home. Next time or write a letter.
    This afternoon John and I went to Paraparaumu, where a friend has a house lot of furniture that she wants to give away. Her mother has gone into care and as you may well image John does not have anything. Certainly got a lot from pots and pans to furniture, or ear marked it for when he moves.
    We then had a wander around a
    furniture store. I haven't been into a furniture to speak of for a long time and interesting to see what is available.
    We were going to go out but decided to have fish and chips.
    Ferry tomorrow, time to return to the mainland. Mixed feelings    Read more

  • Wendy SmithTravelerRetirement Holiday- number 2
    1

    Day 67

    December 10, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    I guess the blogs are going to be pretty hohum really. Today John and I went to Levin where he signed on the bottom line to buy his unit. A very exciting year for him with putting down roots after 18 years and some overseas travel.
    At Spelhurst Lifestyle village, where John is planning to live, I saw the plaque to say what it was previously. Love to be able to read Dad's notes of his time in the Air Force and see if he was stationed there. I cannot remember.
    On the way back we went up Paekakariki hill. Pretty narrow road and surprisingly enough the wind wasn't as cold or as strong as I thought it might. I think up Bluff hill 90% of the time I have been up it, the wind has been blowing strongly and cold.
    Tomorrow will be my last full day in the North Island. Then it will be ferry on Thursday.
    My plan is Bleheim, Kaikoura, two or three nights in Christchurch, Waimate, Hamden and then Invercargill. So probably very little to write about    Read more

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