Reset search
Retirement Holiday- number 2
  • Wendy Smith
  • Wendy Smith

Retirement Holiday- number 2

An open-ended adventure by Wendy Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • Wendy SmithRetirement Holiday- number 2Traveler

    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 SmithRetirement Holiday- number 2Traveler
    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 SmithRetirement Holiday- number 2Traveler
    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 SmithRetirement Holiday- number 2Traveler
    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

  • 2026© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice