MACKS MEANDER

February - April 2024

3 or 4 sleep till we head of on another Southern adventure. I'm hoping we'll get away Tuesday evening and maybe stay at Ardmore Wings. That way we won't have to fight the traffic on Wednesday morning. Doing the clothes pack today. Very excited. Read more

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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 11, 2024, 12:18pm
- 🌬 21 °C
- Altitude: 49 m
- New Zealand Auckland Orewa Orewa Beach -36.584172, 174.68246136°35’3” S 174°40’57” E
Day 2
Practice
February 11 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 21 °C
Hi all. Apologies. I'm 'in training' and practising so that when we set off, I'll know how to operate this app. Nothing to report other than 2 more sleeps cause Roger has agreed it's a good idea to set off on Tuesday after dinner.Read more
Traveler Well done Linda. Look forward to catching up with you both
2/10/24Reply
Traveler Don't forget to add pics when you have them 😉
2/10/24Reply
Traveler I'm still learning too!!
2/22/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 13, 2024, 8:38pm
- 🌙 19 °C
- Altitude: 36 m
- New Zealand Auckland Ardmore College Ardmore Airport -37.03654, 174.97166237°2’12” S 174°58’18” E
Day 4
OFF AND AWAY
February 13 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
We're on our way. First stop Ardmore wings camp where at this time of the night it's very still and quiet. Expecting to be woken fairly early in the morning with lots of air activity. Zoom in and check out Roger's expression.Read more
Traveler He looks thrilled! 😉
2/13/24Reply
Traveler Good on you for taking off early. Looking forward to catch up 😊
2/13/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 14, 2024, 3:00pm
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 374 m
- New Zealand Waikato Turangi Major Jones Pool -38.990917, 175.80458638°59’27” S 175°48’17” E
Day 5
DAY TWO
February 14 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Velentines day but no roses for me :( Did start the day well though with freshly rosted coffee at our new favorite on the road stop. Hampton Downs motor sport cafe. Tonight Turangi Wings
Traveler Roger could have at least bought you the car 🤣
2/13/24Reply
Traveler Actually I'm quite happy with my wee Swift. Imagine the fuss if I 'curbed that thing?
2/13/24Reply
Traveler But you would never do that 🤣
2/13/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 15, 2024, 5:04pm
- 🌬 20 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- New Zealand Wellington Porirua City Karehana Bay Plimmerton Beach -41.079247, 174.8701641°4’45” S 174°52’13” E
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Day 6
DAY THREE
February 15 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 20 °C
First leg of journey completed. Though won't feel like our tour proper has started till we reach southern soil. Turangi was a good stop. Having the 3 stops means less driving time between which suits 'The Driver.' There are only 2 things to mention from today. One being the very inconsiderate rude driver of a big white truck who cut us off dangerously at the end of passing lanes on 2 occasions. Horrid man!!! The other being 'Vivs Kitchen' lunch stop. 'The Driver' being not so keen on creamed horns chose instead a chocolate creamed oyster. 'Tour Leader' is guarding her waistline so declined both. Now at Plimmerton Wings. Ps. Isn't the expressway all the way from Otaki great.Read more
Traveler I had the same item as the Driver from Viv's, Linda you are going to be doing lots of exercise in the south, so do indulge. If need be, you can work off when home. Sorry to read re: truckie ☹️. Glad your safe. Do hope tomorrow morning you have a great sailing, nearly in the south. 😊, Sharon
2/14/24Reply
Traveler No doubt you’ll see more rude drivers in 3 months but hopefully he’s the worst! Southerners are too relaxed to be bad drivers 🤪 just don’t mention you’re from AKL 🫣
2/15/24Reply
Traveler Yum! 🤤 eat the cake mum! You’re lucky enough to have a metabolism 🧁
2/15/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 17, 2024, 5:20pm
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 17 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Mayfield -41.502599, 173.95247441°30’9” S 173°57’9” E
Day 8
DAY FOUR
February 17 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
I do apologize for not writing last night. I know at least one of you missed me! For some reason I had no phone connection although Roger did.
Pretty straight forward drive into the city Friday morning and fairly quick boarding of the Ferry.
Ate our Musli while waiting in the que.. Grants blogs always mention food, so I must put a plug in for the bakery in Picton. We arrived a bit chilled after cold air conditioning on the boat and decided a pie for lunch was in order. Steak and kidney for Driver and Steak, Kidney, Mushroom and Bacon
for Tour Leader. I know pretty Gourmet aye. Anyway it was what came after that was the highlight. BOMBALINOS. Very highly recommend if you havent already been spoilt with one of these, very light, lemon custard filled sugar donuts. Yum yum. No thought to the waistline while devouring that delight. Eaten sitting in the sun on the beach front in the marina. Imagine it. I forgot the photo.Read more
Traveler Eating is an important part of being on holiday 😋
2/17/24Reply
Traveler Glad you ate some real treats, yes, a fab bakery. Sharon
2/17/24Reply
Traveler Must have been good if you were too busy eating to photograph
2/17/24Reply
Traveler Sounds Delish! What a treat x
2/17/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 17, 2024, 7:22pm
- ⛅ 23 °C
- Altitude: 17 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Mayfield -41.50237, 173.9524441°30’9” S 173°57’9” E
Day 8
Whats upp?
February 17 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Wait for me!!!!
Traveler Typical!! 😉
2/17/24Reply
Traveler 🤣🤣, it's the opposite way round with us 🤣🤣, enjoy your quiet time 🤣🤣 Sharon
2/17/24Reply
Traveler Good to have youin the Sth Is sis. Looking forward to seeing you both soon.
2/17/24Reply
Traveler Eat cake & chocolate sis!! x
2/17/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 17, 2024, 8:54pm
- 🌙 19 °C
- Altitude: 17 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Mayfield -41.502425, 173.95243841°30’9” S 173°57’9” E
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Day 8
DAY FIVE
February 17 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Spent last night at Wings Koromiko and what a treat, no trains, no trucks lumbering past and no vans starting up with people driving of in the middle of the night. A beautiful peaceful spot. Loved the trees and grass. This morning we drove into Blenheim and are staying at the race course for two nights. We went to the Omaka Aviation Museum and recommend it to anyone who hasn't been. Its got amazing stories and restored aircraft from both wars and the displays are very realistic. Some by Peter Jackson. The red plane photo is a diarama of when The Red Baron (as in Snoopys Christmas) was shot down and killed. In the afternoon we visited the Wairau Lagoons but unfortunately they were just dry cracked mud with the lack of rain. So not very interesting at all. We plan to cycle tomorrow .Read more
Traveler Dads having a blast! 🤣
2/17/24Reply
Traveler Serious business flying fighter planes!
2/17/24Reply
Traveler Come on Dad, what’s with the face 🤣 love the coffee and jet plane 👍 x
2/17/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 18, 2024, 4:19pm
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 17 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Mayfield -41.502425, 173.95244441°30’9” S 173°57’9” E
Day 9
DAY SIX
February 18 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Today have done a grueling 57km ride from Blenheim to Seddon and return of course. Bit disappointing because a lot of it was on sealed back country roads not an off road route that we were expecting. A good 6k plus was up and over a fairly steep long windy gravelly road. Then just as we were having fun it changed to a tedious long flat sealed service road for the vineyards. The upside is we proved there's still life in the old bodies so that is satisfying. Another night at the racecourse. Ps. Photo 1. Follow the rd to see how far we road up hill. Photo 2. Where's The Driver? Photo 3 Pheww here he comes!Read more
Traveler Well done guys, you are so fit.
2/18/24Reply
Traveler Amazing effort. Looks so beautiful although very dry x
2/18/24Reply
Traveler Well done 👏
2/18/24Reply
Traveler Very dry & dry here too, we could do with rain 🙏
2/18/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 19, 2024, 4:39pm
- 🌬 26 °C
- Altitude: 85 m
- New Zealand Marlborough Marlborough District Ward Flaxbourne River -41.848144, 174.17862641°50’53” S 174°10’43” E
Day 10
DAY SEVEN
February 19 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 26 °C
Woke this morning to a bit of a 'oh no' moment. No water, no gas and all because no power of course. Seemed charging 2 bike batteries which were almost flat and spending that same night under a tree wasn't a good idea. Luckily plenty of sun this morning so once The Driver roused himself we moved into a sunny spot and all sorted really quickly. Phewwww. Driver doesn't like frights like that. Super windy today so decided not to ride the river trail but did a 4km return walk to the supermarket instead. Returned via the beautiful Pollard gardens. On the way to Ward Beach where we are now, we did a detour past the Grassmere salt salt works. Fascinating to think those mountains of salt may soon be on my dinner table. We've done the beach walk to see the round bolders and I'm now sitting in the cab on 🐬 watch.Read more
Traveler You won’t make that mistake again. Tell the driver that you learn from your mistakes 🤣
2/18/24Reply
Traveler Glad you took your time getting to Ward. Sharon
2/19/24Reply
Traveler Great photos , sharon
2/19/24Reply
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Traveler MACKS MEANDER
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- Feb 20, 2024, 2:00pm
- ☁️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- New Zealand Canterbury Kaikoura District Kaikoura Suburban Lyell Creek -42.396464, 173.6802142°23’47” S 173°40’49” E
Day 11
DAY EIGHT
February 20 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Thus is the view from our bed this morning. Stunning. What a privilege and so grateful to the farmer who has made this space available. You don't get views like this when you tour using regular camping grounds and motels. More to follow.Read more
Traveler Where is this
2/22/24Reply
Traveler Wards Beach 47km South of Blenheim. It's a pop if you want to look at mzmca app
2/22/24Reply
Traveler I'm just going to grab your itinerary when your finished then we don't have to do all the searching. Lol.
2/22/24Reply
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