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Rules on the Road
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  • Helen Rule

Rules on the Road

We're retired and about to hit the road and live the dream. Read more
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  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler

    Pakawau and Mangarakau

    July 30, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We stayed on at Pakawau to attend the Nelson/ Tasman NZMCA rally that was held over the weekend. What a great time we had. We met some lovely people and had loads of laughs. The gin tasting session was so good! The owner/ distiller was a really hard case.... great fun! We'll definitely call in to the distillery in Motupipi to make some purchases.
    Sunday morning we departed to make our way to Mangarakau. What a wonderful discovery! The road in is in mostly great condition. There are lots of causeways on the road around the Whanganui Inlet with a picture around every corner. We saw a pair of white heron wading on the flats. This is real west coast country. Native bush everywhere and very remote living. We were surprised at how many people call this place home, with lots of mail boxes at the end of steep tracks up to houses among the bush. Farmers here must face some real challenges but most of the stock looked to be in great condition. Calving is well under way now.
    Mangarakau is a fabulous place. Note this one Neil and Trish! Margaret and Paul were here to greet us after we parked on a bit of a clearing next to the beach. It's a real contrast to the east coast with lovely big waves foaming as they rolled in. The noise is impressive.
    David got his finny out but despite his effort we were pleased to have a back up plan. Paul had set up a beach fire which we sat around, cooking dinner and eating toasted marshmallows until they ran out so out came chocolate fish...... who knew they were soooo good toasted!
    We woke to a lovely sunrise and mild day so we explored the beach which is sandy with a big rock spit at one end and the Puturau River mouth at the other. The tide surges up the river at high tide and this the best time to catch kahawai but not for us. Just a chocolate fish....see the pic. The rock spit at the other end is just wonderful with beautifully carved pools, limestone formations, interesting stones and sandy paths through it at low tide. We were completely enchanted here.
    Lots of driftwood provided building materials for beach structures, one had an entrance that featured a fire pit that looked great but I'm sure held a fair chance of destroying the creative effort!
    We have been surprised by the number of people who just appear on the beach, almost all locals. One young chap arrived at dusk and joined us at our beach fire with his lovely pooch, Dawn. He was one of five builders constructing a new woodshed nearby and had brought his Dawn down to the beach for a run. He stopped and yarned for an hour and enjoyed one of our spit cooked sausages which were delicious. David loved reliving his scouting days!
    This place is one of NZ's best kept winter secrets......shhhhhh let's keep it that way because apparently it's wall to wall people during whitebaiting and summer holidays.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler

    Boat racing Daniel Waihola

    Jul 29–31, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    This is not related to our time on the road but definitely warrants a mention..
    Last weekend was a biggie for our family. Daniel competed in the last NZ Boat Marathon Commission event for the season. He entered the Nominated Speed event with Matt Lamb and Tully crewing, placing 8th, followed by the main speed event. It was special that Matt was with him for the first event but even more special that Tully crewed in the speed event making him the third generation in our family to take to the water competitively. Daniel placed second overall in the NZ Championship so NZ2 which means that as he is no longer NZ1 the green hair goes! AT LAST! 🤣 Very proud parents/ grandparents.
    Haven't done this before so giving it a go. Hope the FB link works.

    https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15n6hpftWs/    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    1Corduroy Beach Pakawau
    Not much wrong with this view!The sunsets and sunrises have been gorgeousA couple of hopefuls.... they too had sausages just in case!The Pakawau Wharf then......And now.Our much loved Sue on her special day.It's Sambucca time!Balloons with a view!Gorgeous PakawauSue's beach find and Chris sporting her cast.CollingwoodWharf CollingwoodQuirky CollingwoodHMS VictoryThe pots and tables were colorful and matched the colourful charactersPakawau on the only dull/rainy day we've had here.We walk every day.....our happy place1

    Pakawau

    July 24, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    What a gorgeous wee gem this is. We've been here since Thursday 24th and will be here until Monday morning. We've been joined by Margaret, Paul, Gerard, Sue and Ian and Chris. Eddie and Bob and Ann and Allan have also been here so it's been quite social especially celebrating Sue's special day.
    Chris had a fall while out walking and unfortunately broke both the ulnar and radius in her left wrist. A trip to firstly the Takaka med center then Nelson hospital and she was sorted but really bruised and sporting a cast. She's pretty stoic!
    David has built bonfires.... yes they're allowed here..... so different from home.... two nights so out came the marshmallows! Such a lovely thing to do.
    We've enjoyed long beach walks most days with shoes off and David in shorts. David had a day out on the briny with hope of catching dinner. Lucky we had sausages just in case! We love winter in Golden Bay. Today it's been wet and breezy but the temperature has been around 13/14 so mild enough to walk between the intermittent showers.
    Yesterday we popped into Collingwood and were reminded that this was home to some alternative folk which added to the character of the wee town. We visited the little museum and found that the town was named for Collingwood who was second in Comand of the HMS Victory which we explored when we were in Portsmouth, England. Also saw an image of the wharf that was built at Pakawau which is now reduced to derelict piles.
    It's such a pleasure to have such mild weather every day and such a big change from the climate at home. We're loving it. Tomorrow we're heading out to explore Farewell Spit.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    Very tired young man!
    Left over trifle for breakfast.We enjoyed a long walk here. There were about 100 dogs on the beach but all 100% fine.1Beautiful view from Jacque and Andrew's drive in MotuekaLooking down from the Takaka Hill road.Love the rock formations.From the lookout at the top of the hill.Track in to look out.Perfect Port Tarakohe2Shorts on.... legs out day!Port TarakohePort TarakohePort TarakohePort Tarakohe.... love the wee boats.The rock formations are really interesting.Remind us of the pancake rocksPort TarakohePort TarakohePort Tarakohe

    Golden Bay

    July 18, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    We've made it to gorgeous Golden Bay!
    But a catch up of what came before..... We had another couple of lovely nights with Stuart in Picton as we were picking up a very tired but elated Sam from his Outward Bound adventures. It was wonderful to hear his animated stories between feeding him SOOOOO much food! We dropped him off at the Blenheim Airport and then drove to Motueka for a night. We backed down Jacque and Andrew's drive for the night and watched the third All Blacks/France game with them. Thanks J and A. Always great to be with you both.
    From there we drove over the Takaka Hill and into Golden Bay. We stopped and walked into the lookout on the way.... impressive views back over Motueka and out to sea.
    We have had four blissful nights at Port Tarakohe. Bob and Eddie and Alan and Alan, NZMCA friends were there. We were later joined by Gerard and Sue, Chris and Ian and Margaret and Paul. The weather has been fabulous. Sunny warm days with very crisp evenings and mornings. So different from our Central Otago winters.
    We walked, explored The Labyrinth Stones and caught up with friends. There's still more to do in a week or so.
    We've all now moved to Pakawau..... the beach, the paddling, the weather.... shorts and tshirts.... the company.... absolutely wonderful! This is what it's all about.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    Millie. P and G's wee cutie that came with us to Portage1MomorangiPortage1How we accessed P and G's steps when the road was closed22The road is closed!But we walked beyond the gates to find views like this.And thisA plump kereru perfectly at home.The road works directly beneath P and G's home.P and G's entranceIt's soooo much steeper than it looks. Calf muscles had a burn on!Leaving Torea Bay heading to Waikawa BayWas a murky day.Think someone left their sidekick behind!The skippers! Thanks you two..... loved it all.

    Picton/Portage

    July 15, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We left Blenheim in lovely sunshine and made our way to Picton once more. A visit to the Makana Chocolate Factory is ALWAYS rewarding. So many taste delights to experience inside and the wonderful orange tree outside that was literally dripping in fruit that we were welcome to loot so we did. Delicious for these southern climes folk! We called into Momorangi Bay for a cuppa with Margaret and Paul, Gerard and Sue and Chris and Ian, on the way.
    We parked up at Anne and Stuart's again where I cooked dinner and enjoyed the evening with Stuart, Paula and Guy. The plan was that P and G were to pick us up in the boat, the next morning, and take across to Portage, where they live, for the night. Well laid plans and all that..... Guy had his ute and trailer with a load gravel on it at Stuart's so we offered to drive it in to Portage making sure to time the road opening for locals just right. Was a bit interesting when the traffic light folks got the signals muddled and there were two green lights at the same time! I'm pretty pleased David has exceptional backing skills..... there were two big rigs driving right at us among the big machinery and road crews.. Loving that they saw the humour in the situation! Gosh there's significant work going on and the road from Linkwater into Portage and beyond remains very fragile but there is a plan.
    P and G's home is set up a very steep drive but offers stunning views out to Kenepuru Sound. Accessing their home during road closure times is interesting. Guy has chiseled some steep, deep steps that go straight up from the road to their front yard.... didn't have my walking poles but managed well anyway. The evening was entertaining. David and Guy went to the Menz shed where it seems the only work done is bending an elbow and telling tall stories! I went to a ladies evening with Paula..... lots of laughs and of course a couple of drinks. Both these venues were 'just around the corner'! SO many corners!
    Enjoyed a walk this morning.....a bit like covid times.... walking down the middle of a closed road and then back up the steep drive to P and G 's home. Loved the quick boat ride from Torea Bay over to Waikawa Bay. It's been a cracker couple of days. P and G are generous hosts.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler

    Update

    July 3, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    We left Aussie Bay and headed, via Queen Charlotte Drive, to Kaiteriteri. We thought that the weather was to better over there and we'd be on power should anything go awry weather wise. There were big warnings out. We arrived in rain and settled into Bethany Camp. We were impressed. A very friendly, social group of people who come together for morning tea each day and other social gatherings throughout the week/ month. Whilst it was raining it was not cold and there was no wind so we went walking in our raincoats and with umbrellas several times. We discovered the pretty estuary walk into the village and beach and walked it daily. The Little Kaiteriteri track is also lovely but with steep steps down we only walked up to the top. We drove over the hills to Marahau where we walked the start of the Abel Tasman Walk. We didn't get as far as we'd have liked, about 45mins in, but we were stopped by a slip on the track. We saw enough to know we want to do more. That evening we walked to the pub in town to watch the ABs beat France. Phew! We enjoyed our week in Kaiteriteri and will be back.
    We decided to spend some time in Motueka, staying at the NZMCA camp. Lovely fresh fruit and produce in the sign in shed was a lovely surprise.
    We loved our time with our niece, Jacque, and her husband, Andrew. We walked the foreshore a couple of times and explored the wharf development. We visited Moutere Caravans and we were really impressed with their service and shop. David spent time, as a result of that visit, completing some R and M tasks.
    A new weather system was due to hit the area and as it seemed that the Blenheim region was to be less severely affected so we headed back there. It was a good decision. There was some significant damage and flooding that we luckily escaped.
    We're parked up at the Blenheim Racecourse along with two of my siblings and their spouses a well as another couple we all know, Chris and Ian.
    We enjoyed a decent bike ride yesterday and found a good pub to watch the ABs impressive win over France in the second test. Today we explored the Wither Farm tracks. We climbed up above the town reservoir and partway to the trig station. Should have strapped my knees.... there were some pretty steep pinches.....puff puff puff!    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    1Momorangi Sunrise
    David, bush track behind campMomorangiMoody Momorangi morningClearing with the sun appearingGrove ArmBoat shedsAn appropriate seat!Aussie BayFrom Grove Arm looking across to Anakiwa then down Queen Charlotte Sound

    Momorangi and Aussie Bay DOC Camps

    June 30, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    Talk about being in paradise! This place is fabulous. The Momorangi camp is outstanding! It's a bit wet up top so only the waterfront sites are open....oh dear..... what a shame! These flat sites offer power, and a grey waste outlet and views to die for! The ablution blocks are top notch, spotlessly clean. There is a full rubbish service. The walking track to Grove Arm via Aussie Bay had a fairly big slip close to Momorangi Bay so we didn't get far. However the track up the back of the camp is beautiful. Doesn't take long to do the loop but it's well worth it. There's glow worms to be seen at night. We spent two lovely days there and will definitely be back. Our DOC pass meant that we paid the princely sum of six dollars a night for power. We're now at Aussie Bay, which is basically two parking areas with a basic loo and fabulous views. We've stayed here on a previous visit to this area. We walked through to Grove Bay today and were stunned by the beauty. Fabulous! We walked back towards Momorangi and almost got there but the DOC workers had the last part of the track closed to clear the slips. This is a gorgeous part of the planet. We'll be back for sure.Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    2Blenheim
    BlenheimThe explanation! BlenheimWe walked over the submerged bridge less than 12 hours earlier.1Flooding... BlenheimFlooding BlenheimWaihoa BoxDavid dreaming!Waiting on the pouring rain to get on the boat to Outward Bound12

    Photos

    June 26, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    St Andrew's, in the sun, for lunch11Waimate rumblingKaikoura

    We've Made it to Marlborough!

    June 20, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Another visit to Dunedin NZMCA on the 19th and then we were off! We had a straight forward drive, stopping for David to finally have some of Hampdens Blue Cod, it was third time lucky trying to find the Take Away open. We ended our day at Waihoa Box, a place we've driven into but not stayed. It's interesting to see this flood protection structure which was built in 1910 to replace the original which was swamped and destroyed in 1908. It's protected by the Heritage Places Trust. The drive in was flat but oh so muddy. It's 'highway 1' for the local farmers feed out wagons and their cows crossing. Next day we explored a wee bit, visiting McCullochs Bridge for future camping reference, then continued around the block to Waimate where we visited a small but very good Farmers Market, excellent produce and fresh meat. We waited to cross the road there as dozens of motorbikes rumbled through the town. Saturday night we stayed at the Timaru T and C where we enjoyed dessert followed by the rugby final. Go the Crusaders! Great game!
    The Thompsons POP, in Rangiora was up to its usual high standards. Thanks Christine and Allan. We headed north and discovered the Parnassus NZMCA Camp. It's a real little gem and we'll visit again. We loved the walk out at South Bay Kaikoura, exploring the rocks on the other side and the night at the NZMCA camp, north end. Marfells Beach is a favourite of ours but this time the weather was wild however we did manage a decent beach walk and a forage of the wild greens that grow there. The big winds made for great kite surfing conditions and one surfer got some huge lifts.... we're thinking 10 to 15 M high. I'm always fascinated by the Pinenut forests on the way in. They're so different from the usual ones we see.
    The weather really turned to custard over the next few days with extensive flooding and damage throughout the top of the South Island. We stayed a couple of nights at the Blenheim Truckstop, just south of the town. This is flat, power available and with a great ablution block, all controlled through the Penny app. They also have motel units which was great for us. We picked grandson, Sam, up from the Blenheim Airport and we were supposed to be heading to Picton but the road was closed so popped Sam into one of the units for night. Was SO good to get my hands on a grandie! We dropped Sam off the next day, in pouring rain, to his drop off point for his 21 day Outward Bound experience. Very exciting! It was so lovely to stay with Stuart, brother in law, in Waikawa Bay, Picton. I took over the kitchen and we enjoyed a roast of lamb along with the chatter. David and Stuart relived their common pasts and of course David discovered more about his family history. Stuart is an encyclopedia for our combined family histories. It's wonderful to hear him chat.
    We're now at beautiful Momorangi Bay for a couple of nights. This is a fabulous DOC camp with great facilities, power, grey waste connection at each powered site, excellent kitchen and bathroom facilities. We're right on the water front but the nonpowered sites are across the road and elevated and look just as lovely. Highly recommend this place despite the disruption of road works from Picton. We're thinking that our DOC pass is now well and truly in the green. A great investment to make.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    The cloud bank that stretched from Nirth of Pareora to South of Dunedin.

    The next installment

    June 8, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    We finally managed to get a decent walk on the beach at Hampden after huge tides and wild sea tamed a little, not as far as we'd have liked but the low tides were really half tides so battled to get there and back with dry tootsies!
    We headed to Dunedin Motorhomes to get the heater looked at. The guy there was so good. We learnt a lot.
    We also booked into Carters Tyres where again we had fantastic service. The manager there really knows his stuff and got us sorted with higher weight rated tyres. David is happier now!
    It was lovely to catch up with Kate and Noel and Marie and Ewen, long time friends, while we were in Dn.
    St Claire Beach was wild with a very full tide.... beautiful but no walk today.
    Jude told us that Doug was a bit more stable so we decided to head north once more to Rangiora with the intention of going further north however we received the really sad news that Doug had written his final page in his cancer journey so we about turned to make our way to Dunedin.
    With beaches being our personal therapy we had long walks on a few. Waikuku Beach, Woodend Beach, New Brighton Beach and peir, also Warrington and Long Beach. They were all were solace for our hurting hearts.
    Along the way we stayed at a POP out of Amberley, Weedons NZMCA, a POP at Pareora, Warrington NZMCA which is really lovely and a couple of nights at NZMCA Dunedin.
    Today was Doug's farewell. A bitter sweet service filled with love, laughter and dignity and of course Doug's precious Jude and family along with his friends. We're so lucky to count ourselves as friends. We're going to miss him! RIP Doug. Promise we'll watch over Jude for you.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    Willows NZMCA track
    Willows NZMCAHardy's POP 7751Gerard and Sue Rakaia POPMethven Enchanted ForestMethven Enchanted ForestMethven cycle wayRakaia HutsHot Ppols Methven2Swim Up Bar/ restaurant

    Update from Hampden

    May 27, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Hi again!
    We're still wandering and loving it.
    The Willows NZMCA camp was lovely. We really enjoyed our walk along the Waimak River and the detour along the stop bank. Saw a really unusual planting style.... not sure of the why but surmise it's about water retention or flood control.
    Rakaia Huts camping ground was ok but the access to the beach is limited and with large stones was not walkable but still lovely views. We were joined by Gerard and Sue at Hardy's Retreat POP for a night. Great to catch up with them before we moved onto Methven for two nights. WOW! We highly recommend the Hot Pools. It was well worth paying $64 for the adults only area with a swim up bar and cafe and alcove areas that offer a quieter experience. The booking system ensures that there are no crowds. The ambience is really lovely. The private bathrooms, robes, towels etc were great. Quiet sitting areas to relax afterwards with a coffee or a wine top the experience.
    Next day we biked about 20ks along the river, exploring the Methven area. The enchanted woods are delightful! We decided we both really like Methven. We'll be back!
    It was so good to catch up with Heather and Colin for a night at a wee POP on the outskirts of Ashburton. The next day we cycled around 35km to Lake Hood. Had an oops at the start which found us on a Grade 3/4 track. Definitely not for us! We backtracked and got on the correct track! Lake Hood was a bit of a revelation. Quite the exclusive area with massive homes/holiday homes, a gorgeous man-made lake which we understand was purpose made as an aquatic resort. We had a cuppa and soaked up the scenes. Beautiful!
    We spent a couple of days at Ashburton NZMCA to be handy to town for a catch up on domestic stuff and then moved onto Waimate where we saw Steve Wotten from Brokn Free Solar. He reviewed our set up and made a few changes which have made a big difference. Highly recommend this business. Well set up and know their stuff!
    The Oamaru A and P showgrounds are VERY wet so we stayed on the sealed drive for the night. There's been loads of snow and freezing temperatures inland and it's been really wet on the coast so it was a bit concerning when we got home from The Army Brass Band Concert, in Oamaru's beautifully restored Opera House, that we discovered our gas heater wasn't working! We're so very pleased we have a very well insulated European MH! We were cozy in our bed and once dressed we were warm. We'll make some calls tomorrow, Monday 9th to find a place to get it fixed.
    We're currently in Hampden. The beach is wild and wonderful and the walks along it fabulous. That's it until next time! Love and hugs to all.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    1St John finally got round to giving me this!

    Canterbury

    May 17, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Time for an update! Longish one this time!
    We begin this post with Josh and Sam's School Formal. They looked absolutely fabulous. So handsome and dressed to the nines of course. It was entertaining to watch the males in the house tying a tie! We loved the banter and fun of the evening! Josh and McKenzie traveled, in style, in a gorgeous old, gold Holden that Kate and B had used as a wedding car while Sam and his mate arrived in a great big Kenworth truck driven by Daniel. Just a bit different from my mode of transport back in the day! As soon as we'd watched the boys enter the venue we high tailed it for Edendale where we stayed overnight at the Rugby Club. The following morning we had a lovely catch up with Dorothy and Ernest, they're both looking wonderful, before heading to Invercargill for Maureen's surprise 70th birthday party and what a surprise it was! We had a really lovely time celebrating this special long time friend with her family and friends; how fabulous to catch up with so many people we hadn't seen for. ages.... including lots of David's old girlfriends! There should have been a photo! Thankyou Elaine for the pics you gave David... they're fabulous! I'll attach them to this post.
    Once the celebrations were concluded we drove to Balclutha where we caught up with Mary. She is certainly living her best life and loves the Rest Home. It's so good to see her active and happy.
    We spent the next night at Harington Point, Portabello where we explored the Albatross Colony site and of course the beaches. It's a gorgeous area.
    We had a very special time with Doug and Judy before we drove up country, via our special place, Waikouwaiti, where we were nearly blown off our feet, and spent the night at Weedons NZMCA Park. We had the following few days around Chch, Rangiora and Kaiapoi catching up with family and friends, thanks Christine and Allan, walking, cycling and seeing a medical specialist who confirmed I get migraines and attending the NZMCA show. We loved spending time with Julia, our Brazilian daughter, and her partner Brad, before the MH show, and also Bev and Russell at West Melton. We've changed our nonplans and have been exploring South of Chch which we'll continue to do for a wee while as we wend our way anywhere we want to. It's a wonderful life! Enjoy the photos! The older ones are dated 1973. Take more of Davey fashion!    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler

    100 Days

    May 16, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    WOW! 100 days traversing Otago and Southland! That is all about to change as we head north for the winter. If you zoom in on our map it's a real spider's web! One last family event on Saturday night then we're off! There will be pics! XxxRead more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    Tully
    HarperDavey was helping Ken outWanakaWanakaWanaka.... hadn't seen this beforeFairy houses Wanaka Walkway2Siblings catch up CromwellTully Harper and us CromwellT and H ... so grown upDown the hatch....zambuccaGlenorchyGlenorchy Lagoon walkway swanGlenorchyGlenorchyGlenorchy Canada Geese

    A catch up

    May 10, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    We've had a few nights relaxing. Cvicks park over property in Alex is lovely and we returned there for a couple of nights. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with friends in Wanaka, and stayed with the ever lovely Pip and Ken at camp Golden. I played my last round of Bridge and now we're in Glenorchy. We walked the Lagoon Walkway yesterday....OMG the scenery is too die for. So so fortunate that we have this in our big backyard. Josh and Sam have their School Formal on Saturday so after we've watched the handsome pair.... I'll probably cry..... we're heading off until the end of November.Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    Liv ANZAC Day
    A special moment for Davey and TullyDaniel is in there....I think thirdThis is the best cocktail maker I've ever seen. Hilarious!Couldn't resist these for Davey, Bob and James!Tank is empty.KnackeredLiv in action.Fungus abounds at the moment.Girl time..... so specialThe Munro boys looking the part!Our Walk this morning... meet a mate! Little buggar tried to nip me!31

    Update time

    April 25, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    It's been a while and we've done a bit, mostly centering on friends and family.
    A quick round up goes like this:
    Attended ANZAC day service at Cromwell cemetery and was very proud to watch Olivia help the young Cubs lay a wreath. She's proving to be a patient Patrol leader.
    Daniel managed the Cromwell Power Boat Marathon again and so David was happy to support him. It's always wonderful to catch up with boating friends and family. Our nephews, Richard and Paul, and their families are always at these events and we love spending time with them, however brief it may be. Racing is the priority and rightly so!
    David left for his annual Duckshooting weekend, with Bob and James, on Friday. They've notched up 51 years of being together for opening weekend. A special time for them. No photos from David but do have some of the Munro males. Had a lovely girls night with Kate and Olivia. We don't do this often enough. 😔
    We watched Josh, Harper and Liv in their respective xcountry events.
    We finally caught up with our lawyer.... the bill got to us before we were home!
    It was fantastic to finally go and spend some time with Claire, Sean and Ferdia at their home in Queensbury. I'm so proud of Ferdia. He's loving life and doing it all so well. He's awesome!
    I have finally got the pain in my shoulder, arthritis, under control. Thank goodness. So onwards and upwards.... walking, riding again. 🙂🙂🙂
    We have a couple of commitments before we hit the road including Joshua's and Sam's formal on the 17th. After that though we're heading north and the exploring can begin. Cannot wait.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    The winners!
    Beautiful Pisa MooringsDavid's Dad had one of these series one land roversSome had impressive paint!

    Wheels at Wanaka 2

    Apr 23–27, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C

    Well gosh! I never in a million years would have thought I'd be so very impressed with this massive event. All the truck loving, big machine loving etc genes missed me out but WOW! This is impressive on so many levels. The organization, the management, the huge team of volunteers, the banter and friendliness of almost everyone I encountered, the effort and expense so many people had made to get their gear, some of it absolutely enormous, here from all over the place, the camping set up etc. We've had a wonderful few days in the midst of it all. Alan Dippie and his team deserve huge congratulations and certainly get my admiration.
    We're now back in Cromwell to spend time with family, catch up on domestic chores and play Bingo! Yep Bingo! We had such a fun night last night with Kate, Olivia, Poppy and my sister Margaret at the T and C. David, the tin bum, won 4 houses and Kate won 1. It was a giggle for sure. It was great to catch up with Trish and Neil and have a walk through of their beautiful new caravan. Lots of wonderful trips to come for them! We have a planning meeting for the NZMCA national rally 2026 on Thursday and then the weekend will be devoted to supporting Daniel as he heads the team for the Lake Dunstan Power Boat Marathon.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    3

    Wheels at Wanaka

    April 18, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We left Cromwell for Wanaka on the 16th and have been here for 2 nights. David and I are volunteering ourselves to help at this monster event. We're doing a variety of jobs from setting up the big shed for Prizegiving on Saturday night, gate keeping, monitoring people coming in and out of various sectors, driving shuttle vehicles etc. We'll take photos of the actual event tomorrow and post those later but today I've had a wander around the camping area where we, along with loads of others, volunteers, exhibitors etc, are staying. The array of set ups is interesting from the rudimentary to the very sophisticated. Have a look at the pics!. The caravan with all the stickers belongs to Ian Begg, from Wyndham, who has taken it and the tractor all round the world. Dinnys Dunny belongs to set up before it.Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    11

    Manapouri Te Anau Cromwell

    April 5, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We stayed at Manapouri until the 2nd April. The NZMCA camp is great and we loved just meandering around. Walking, biking and exploring and happy hour each afternoon introduced us to lots of friendly and interesting people. We moved onto Te Anau for the 60th Anniversary GBC boat marathon. A number of us 'oldies' who had competed from the 70's, gathered for a memorable time, full of laughs, embellishments of the truth, over indulging in life's bounties, eh Colin and Ewan, and reminiscing. We were also proud to join our son and 2 nephew's and their families who were also competing. Davey, a life member of the club, made a speech recounting the history of this event and included a few stories. Daniel had two fabulous wins, yay, and Davey and crew, Ian, placed an impressive 7th in the nominated speed event, the best of all the 'oldies'!! Of note Gary beat Ewan!!
    We moved to beautiful Henry Creek DOC camp, on the Milford Road, for a night then to a rainy Kingston freedom camping area for one night before coming home to Cromwell. We joined members of our local NZMCA area committee for a working bee at Rotary Glen Camp. They're such a good bunch of people. We really enjoy their company.
    Came across the annual Pork Pie rally pulling into The Gate.
    We'll mooch around here for a few days filling up the cuddle bank with hugs from the grandies and doing a bit of R and M on the MH.    Read more

  • Helen RuleRules on the RoadTraveler
    222

    To Manapouri

    March 31, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We left Te Anau not really knowing where we'd end up but had thought maybe Cromwell. We got to Fairlight where David discovered a fishing spot behind the old station. There is fishing system on the Upper Mataura called beats. I'll post a photo so you can read about them. We thought it a good way to manage a fishery that there'd been some squabbling about. As we left it began to drizzle so decided to explore up the Nokomai Road. David was given a beautiful painting by a lovely friend, some years ago, and we wanted to see the landscape it was based on. Well, we discovered a gorgeous valley with a really beautiful freedom camping area for self contained MHs and caravans. It's on private farmland. Generous farmers! The photo doesn't do it justice, it was raining!
    There are 2 clusters of enchanting fishing huts that really do remind you that life can be very simple.
    We ended up at the Lumsden NZMCA camp for the night.
    Next morning we drove to Manapouri NZMCA and really didn't do a thing! Read, socialized and had a very lazy day but made up for it on Saturday. David fished at beautiful Supply Bay and despite my chanting; Here fishy fish fish... there were none to be had! It was a GORGEOUS day! We drove into the start of the Kepler Track and walked some of the river track that takes you through to Dock Bay. Beautiful native beech forest with glimpses of the river as you rise and fall along the way. The significant thing about this track is the VERY stable swing bridge at the start of it. I even stopped for a selfie in the middle of it and David did not need to stand guard at the end of it!
    Yesterday was wet wet wet! Did the laundry and used a dryer, first time in forever, then binge watched a series on Netflix. The Residence. It was ok.
    Today we've discovered the Home Creek Riparian Walkway right behind the NZMCA camp here in Manapouri. It's a loop track that's up and down but really lovely and David scoped out possible fishing sites. He'll go back tomorrow for look.    Read more

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