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  • Stella Richards

P&S Adventures on the road

Et 4019-dagers eventyr av Stella Les mer
  • Sist sett 💤
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    Peir @ the salt works

    18.–23. nov., New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    We decided to park up at the pier down by the salt works. Had the place to ourselves for three out of five nights — so peaceful! The workers would drive down now and then to check the intake or just sit and watch the sea. Always friendly, with a smile and a wave.

    Fishing was okay for us. I landed a grey boy who’d swallowed the hook, so we chose to keep him, as we’d been told they’re good eating. In the past we’ve always released them. Another chap turned up, fishing in a competition — he needed to land an over-one-metre rig, which wasn’t happening that night, so everything he caught went back.

    The scenery put on a real show though. The fog rolled in from the Marfowl Beach DOC camp, over the hills, out toward the main road, then swept out to sea and wrapped around behind us. It was fascinating how quickly it moved.

    No facilities here, and it’s a drive down a gravel road after the sealed road ends — but well worth it if you enjoy quiet, wide-open space and solitude.

    #Netspeed worked great on 4G, no issues at all.
    Cell phone coverage with Spark was also excellent.
    #P&S AdventuresOnTheroad #MaggieTheTravellingCat #LoveFishing #LifeOnTheRoad #OffGridLiving #TravellingNZ #BeachLife #FishingNZ #SaltWorks #FoggyViews
    Les mer

  • Marfells beach doc camp

    5.–11. nov., New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Beautiful spot with a few trees to shelter behind. We even managed to get a fish in! 🎣
    Caught one large grey boy shark and about four or five baby sharks — all released. Also hooked a spiky shark, released too.
    It was such a beautiful day, with plenty of locals down over the weekend on their quad bikes setting and retrieving their cray pots.

    There are two toilet blocks here, both with outdoor sinks for washing dishes. There’s an upper and lower level for camping, and if you’re into walking, a two-hour walk as the tide’s going out will take you around the point to a lovely lighthouse. 🏝️

    This place is really something special — we loved it! 💙
    #LifeOnTheRoad #FishingNZ #MaggieTheTravellingCat #VanLifeNZ
    Les mer

  • Parnassus nzmca

    1.–4. okt., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    Just spent two lovely nights at the Parnassus NZMCA Park — plenty of open space to spread out and even drinking water on tap (always a win!). We hardly noticed the trains during the day, and if any went past at night, we must’ve been snoring louder than they were! 😴🚂
    #NetSpeed works great here
    #MaggieTheTravellingCat
    #LifeOnTheRoad
    Les mer

  • Pop in Swananoa

    27. sep.–28. okt., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After five and a half weeks parked up — our first real stop in three years on the road — we’re finally rolling again! 🚐💨

    We’ve been tucked away in Swannanoa, our own little secret garden, and it’s been absolute bliss. 🌿 The wind put an end to our fishing for a while, but it gave us some much-needed downtime. We still managed to end up with around six pounds of whitebait (took about a week to get there!), so we’ll definitely be back. 🎣

    Maggie has also loved her time here, especially with all the long grass around us — she’s been in her element. 🐾💚

    Over Labour Weekend we did have a couple of neighbours park virtually on our doorstep (even though there’s a whole paddock!), but thankfully they were only here for a couple of nights, so not too bad. 😉

    We’re leaving with a lovely clean van after I gave it a good wash, and it feels great to be hitting the road again. Not sure where we’ll stop next, but we’re excited to see what’s ahead! Thanks for following along on our adventures. ❤️

    #VanLife #OffGridLiving #WhitebaitSeason #Swannanoa #LifeOnTheRoad #MaggieTheTravellingCat
    Les mer

  • Oamaru A&P showgrounds

    23.–25. sep., New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    A&P Showgrounds in Oamaru – what a lovely spot to stay! 🚐✨
    Plenty of room to spread out, plus the bonus of toilets, washing machines, a dryer, water, and even rubbish on site – such a treat to have those little conveniences on the road.

    Best part? We even bumped into some of our lovely followers here 💕 It was so lovely to catch up with @WendyandJonathan, and also @Shell. Such a big area, yet it still feels welcoming.

    Maggie even enjoyed a walk and a nibble on some grass in the beautiful sunshine yesterday 🌿🐱

    NetSpeed worked perfect here as well ✅

    Highly recommend this spot when passing through Oamaru – only 💲5 per person per night!

    #NetSpeed #MaggieTheTravelingCat #GreatWeather #Oamaru #OamaruAMPAssociation
    Les mer

  • Braids hill playground freedom

    15.–18. sep., New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    We’ve just spent a few days at Braids Playground Freedom Car Park. It’s a two-night maximum stay, but with the severe wind and rain warnings, we tucked in for a third night.

    It’s right on a stunning beach with powder-like sand and walks around rocky little island-like outcrops. The rocks even look like petrified timber – such a cool spot to explore!

    This is a pack in, pack out site, with just one picnic table and space for about 3–4 vehicles to camp. It’s also a very popular dog-walking beach, so there’s always someone pulling in to give their dogs a good run. 🐕

    Maggie didn’t spend much time outside with the weather, but she happily supervised while we laid new carpet tiles in the caravan. She takes her project manager duties very seriously. 🐾

    Netspeed was just around the corner, so we popped in to say g’day. It was only a quick visit as it had been a big trip for Paul and he wasn’t feeling the best by the end. But our Netspeed modem works perfectly here on 4G. Thanks for watching!

    #Netspeed #MaggieTheTravellingCat #FreedomCamping #LifeOnTheRoad
    Les mer

  • Lowburn freedom

    10.–14. sep., New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 1 °C

    Hei all, welcome back 👋
    We’ve just spent four nights at the Lowburn Freedom Camp. It’s a really large site with plenty of space to spread out. Facilities include flushing toilets, plus a long drop (closed during the winter months), and even rubbish collection – always handy!

    The maximum stay here is three nights, but after checking the Windy app we saw severe gale-force winds were heading our way, including the area we were planning to travel to. So, we chose to play it safe and stayed an extra night.

    Maggie spent most of her time inside this stop. There were a few dogs around, but they were tied up, so she felt safe and cosy indoors. 🐾

    While we were here, snow fell on the surrounding hills, giving us a stunning snowy view right from our caravan windows – absolutely beautiful! ❄️⛰️

    We even met a couple from New Plymouth – not just from New Plymouth, but from our old neighbourhood in Fitzroy! How cool is that? We also met a few other lovely couples here, and it was great to have a chat and share some stories.

    Our NetSpeed connection was sitting between 4G and 5G, and the cell phone coverage here was great.

    #NetSpeed #LowburnFreedomCamp #LifeOnTheRoad #LoveLivingLifeOnTheRoad #LifeIsGood #MaggieTheTravellingCat #Freedom #LivingLife
    Les mer

  • Pleasant flat Doc camp

    8.–10. sep., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    We’ve just spent two wonderful nights at Pleasant Flat DOC Campsite in Mt Aspiring National Park. 🌿

    The campground has four flush toilets 🚻, plus a covered shelter with a table and bench seats. There are two main parking areas — better suited for motorhomes and smaller caravans. Larger caravans need to park lengthways. We parked across a double space, which worked well for us.

    It’s rained the whole time ☔ but hey, that’s camping life, that’s life on the road! Phone coverage here was pretty minimal, but NetSpeed 4G worked perfectly 👍 — such a relief to have reliable internet when reception is patchy.

    Poor Maggie had to stay tucked inside because of the weather, but at least that kept the sandflies out! 🐾

    Thanks for following along on our adventures! 💚

    #NetSpeed #MountAspiringNationalPark #LifeOnTheRoad #LoveLivingLifeOnTheRoad #LifeIsGood
    Les mer

  • Otto/MacDonalds creek

    4.–8. sep., New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    We’ve just enjoyed four wonderful nights at Otto MacDonald’s Creek. 🌿 This DOC camp has all the basics and more – flushing toilets, two separate parking areas, shelters with picnic tables, and even a double sink bench.

    It’s set right beside a small river that would be perfect for cooling off in summer, and there’s also a lake with its own little stony “beach.” Not sure if it’s the best for swimming, but it’s certainly a peaceful spot to sit and take it all in.

    Even though it’s close to the highway, it’s incredibly quiet and relaxing. Nature put on quite the show too – over three nights and two days we had thunder, lightning, and hail storms roll through. Who doesn’t love a good storm when you’re tucked up safe and dry in the van? ⚡🌩️

    Maggie had a wonderful time here too – she even got out for a walk on her lead, soaked up the sunshine, and had a good roll in the gravel. 🐾 DOC were fine with her being here since she was on a lead, so everyone was happy.

    And once again, NetSpeed kept us connected the whole time – we’re so glad we made the switch! 📶✨

    #VanLife #NZTravel #DOCcamps #OffGridLiving #TravelNZ #LifeOnTheRoad #Netspeed
    Les mer

  • Punakaiki freedom

    24.–31. aug., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    We’ve just spent seven lovely nights at Punakaiki, Macmillan Road. ⛺ This freedom camping spot is usually a two-night limit, but with the storm rolling in we decided it was best to stay put.

    We had it all – heavy rain, thunder, hail, and strong winds 🌩️💨 – so hunkering down was definitely the safest option. Thankfully, the area wasn’t busy while we were there, otherwise we’d have moved on.

    One thing you have to watch out for here are the crafty wekas – they’ll take anything that’s not tied down! They even tried to make off with our steps (as some of you may have seen in our video a few days ago). Maggie enjoyed her time outside when the weather cleared, sitting in the grass, watching the wekas squabble over the tiniest crumbs. 🐦🐾

    We even managed a wee bit of fishing on the two fine days we had 🎣. Caught some good fish too – a couple made it onto our dinner plates, and the rest went back to live another day. 🐟🍴

    No facilities on site, so it’s strictly pack in, pack out 🚮 – but our NetSpeed 4G internet worked perfectly the whole time. It hummed along without missing a beat, unlike our previous provider. 📶✨

    And luckily, the wekas didn’t manage to run off with our dinner… or the modem. Bloody crafty little bastards! 😅
    Les mer

  • Aerodrome road freedom

    20.–22. aug., New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We’ve just spent two lovely nights at the Greymouth Aerodrome Road Freedom Camp. Such a handy little spot—right by the beach with a walkway and bike track, and only a quick scoot into town. 🚴‍♂️

    On one of those scoots, Paul decided to play Jeremy Clarkson (“speed and power!”) and came a cropper… straight into a wire fence, across the footpath, and rolled onto the side of the road. 😳 I nearly had a heart attack, but thankfully he’s okay—just stiff and sore (though that could be as much his long COVID as the tumble).

    Maggie chose to stay safe inside the van this time, as a few dogs wandered past without leads. 🐾 Probably a wise move on her part.

    Last night, someone thought it was a great idea to do burnouts almost outside our door. We must have been absolutely dog-tired because we didn’t hear a thing—only spotted the skid marks up the road in the morning!

    Our new NetSpeed mobile internet worked perfectly on 5G here, so that was a big win. 👍 Definitely a spot we’d recommend—and one we’ll be back to.
    Les mer

  • Barkers creek freedom

    13.–20. aug., New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    We’ve just spent a lovely seven nights on Coast Road, parked up at the rest area beside Barker’s Creek. Not only is it a rest area, but also a freedom spot. 🌿

    Friendly locals wandered by walking their dogs on the beach, and we even had a go at fishing. Paul landed a rig about a metre long – that beauty has done us a few delicious meals! 🎣🐟

    Nights here have been so peaceful, with just the odd toot in the morning (maybe friends going past saying hello? 👋). No facilities at all, but the creek is crystal clear – could be boiled up if needed.

    The only downside? The sandflies are on steroids here! 🤦‍♀️ Pro tip: tuck your pants into your socks – it’s not a fashion statement, but it works. 😂

    Maggie has loved the long grass, happily chilling in the sunshine with mum and dad. 🐾☀️

    And to top it off, our new NetSpeed 4G has been running perfectly here – not a single issue. Highly recommend if you’re looking for reliable internet on the road! 📶💻
    Les mer

  • Hokitika NZMCA Park

    6.–11. aug., New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Five nights here and we’ve loved every minute. Took a quick 30-minute drive to Hokitika Gorge — absolutely stunning, and there’s even a track if you fancy a walk. We, of course, opted for the scooters because, well… scooters.

    We also went treasure hunting on Serpentine Beach and another nearby beach for greenstone. Shockingly, we actually found a couple of tiny pieces. I may have checked twice to make sure they weren’t just shiny pebbles.

    Fishing report: six fish. Or maybe seven. Could’ve been five. Let’s just say there was “a number” of fish, and only one was a keeper — an elephant fish — caught by none other than Paul. First one of the season, so naturally, he’s claiming full bragging rights.

    Maggie kept herself busy patrolling the park, rolling on the stones, and following her nose anywhere a bunny had been. I’m pretty sure she’s convinced we came here solely for her bunny-sniffing expeditions.

    The weather? Couldn’t have been better — a huge improvement on our last visit.

    Oh — and a little news! We’ve just teamed up with NetSpeed for mobile internet. If you’re looking to join, you can use our promo code " psadventures"for a nice discount on your new modem. The modem’s only been out for about a month, and so far it’s working great for us — even out here.
    Les mer

  • Nelson Quay – Greymouth

    4.–6. aug., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We’ve just spent two lovely (and windy!) nights at Nelson Quay, tucked right near the end of the Greymouth River. Such a peaceful spot!

    We watched a few trawlers come and go, and even managed to snap a photo of one heading out over the bar this morning. It was pretty cool to watch it from the van, bobbing up and down as it made its way out to sea.

    Sunsets weren’t too bad either! We had flush toilets and rubbish bins just outside the door, and some truly wonderful neighbours.

    Maggie chose to stay inside for this one—there were a few visiting dogs on the loose, so she decided it was a good time for naps and watching the world from the window.
    Les mer

  • Punakaiki – Mcmillan Road Freedom Campi

    2.–4. aug., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    A peaceful wee gem just off the main road and right by the beach — what more could you want? Okay, maybe a toilet… and a bin... but hey, it’s pack in, pack out here, so bring your own everything (including patience if the sea is stormy like it was for us).

    We came for the weekend with grand ideas of catching a fish or two, but the ocean had other plans — wild, rough, and definitely not in the mood to share. Instead, we spent our time being thoroughly entertained by the local wekas.

    Maggie set herself up in the long grass under a big dock leaf, doing her best impression of a jungle cat while watching the wekas patrol the area like they owned the place. It was quite the show — wekas strutting around, Maggie crouched like she’s on National Geographic.

    There’s a stunning cave system if you walk right along the beach. We didn’t do it this time (too blustery!), but we’ve been before — it’s absolutely worth the walk when the weather behaves.

    We had two neighbours the first night, four the next. We imagine it’d be packed in summer — just a gravel area beside the beach, but a very popular one.

    Stormy seas, nosy wekas, and a cat in stealth mode... honestly, not a bad way to spend a weekend!
    Les mer

  • Cobden Bridge, Greymouth – Our Latest St

    30. jul.–2. aug., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We’ve just spent a few nights at the Cobden Bridge freedom camping area in Greymouth. You’re allowed to stay up to two nights here in a self-contained vehicle, but we stayed an extra night, making it three in total, as Paul wasn't feeling the best. He’s much better now, thankfully.

    It’s a free spot with rubbish bins, a dump station, and drinking water available. Designated parking is at the end of the area. Even though it’s close to the road, we found it reasonably quiet. Being winter, it wasn’t busy—just a couple of others around during our stay.

    And the sunsets? Absolutely lovely!
    Les mer

  • Westport nzmca park

    24.–27. jul., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Parked up at the Westport NZMCA Park, right next to the beach—and what a beautiful spot it is 🌊🚐
    The sound of the waves and the wekas is so calming. We sat and soaked up the sunshine, just enjoying the moment.
    Took the scooters into town for a little explore—some great shops and lovely, friendly locals.

    Maggie also enjoyed walking around the park with her mum and soaking up the sunshine. She’s loving the peaceful vibes just as much as we are 💛🐾
    Les mer

  • Nelsoncreek reserve

    18.–25. jul., New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Waiting on a heater replacement, we were pointed in the direction of this lovely little spot — Nelson Creek Reserve.

    For those able to get out and about, there are a couple of walking tracks and even a spot for gold panning! The reserve has flush toilets, a dump station, and non-drinking water.

    During the day, the odd logging truck rumbles by on the road above, but otherwise it’s peaceful. There are firepits too — you can even phone and buy a bag of firewood if you like. In summer, there’s a swimming hole, and I hear it gets pretty popular then.

    At $10 per adult or $25 per family per night, it’s starting to get up there in price — but not bad considering what’s around.

    And just across the road? A great little pub with a pool table, friendly locals, and top-notch meals.

    Where do you find all this, you ask? Well… Nelson Creek Reserve, of course!
    Les mer

  • Lake Pearson

    10.–15. jul., New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Lovely spot along Arthurs Pass, This is a doc site, so you need to book. 2 longdrops and non drinking water ( boil) onsite.In the middle of no where its a great place to sit back and watch the world go by. There are plenty of people the stop in for a rest along the way. In summer people swim in the lake. We have stayed here in the summer and it gets very busy, winter is nice to see the snow in the distance.Les mer

  • Weedons nzmca park

    2.–10. jul., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C

    We really don’t mind it here — there’s water, toilets, washing machines, and rubbish bins on site. The ground-level dump stations have been locked, but you can still empty your cassettes into the raised dump point, along with your grey water if you have a rollaway tank or container. It does make things a bit harder for the elderly or those with back issues, though. Not sure why the change was made.

    The large shed is a great place to chill out and stretch your legs. It even has a lovely big fireplace for those colder days and nights. If you’re unsure about anything, there are on-site custodians, Sue and her husband, who are happy to help. You might even spot a second kit model Paul left behind in the shed!

    Maggie wasn’t overly happy to be outside — we’re pretty sure she could smell the dogs on site.
    Les mer

  • Ellesmere golf club

    27. jun.–2. jul., New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    What a great stopover at Ellesmere Golf Club near Leeston. So peaceful, and the golfers were lovely—we had a good yarn with a few of them.

    Just $5 a night to stay! Pets welcome, though no dogs on the golf course… unless you're keen on them dodging golf balls!

    There are toilets on site, water available, and it’s a secure spot to park up. What more could you ask for?

    Maggie made the most of the sun, happily rolling around on the gravel in the car park area and nibbling at the grass.

    Each evening around 5pm, a pheasant would pop out to say hello. It was rather scared when I tried to get photos and would run off—but it was a bit of entertainment either way!

    One lovely stop we’ll definitely be back to. ⛳🚐🐾🪿
    Les mer

  • Arundel Bridge

    23.–25. jun., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    What a lovely free spot! The ground was a little damp underfoot, but we had it all to ourselves. It sits at an intersection, yet it’s surprisingly peaceful. There’s a short walk (currently a bit muddy) down to the river, where you can spot the old bridge piles. It’s also very sheltered, which made it a cosy stay.

    Even Maggie enjoyed the grass between her paws.
    Les mer

  • Pop, behind the Gladestone pub

    19.–26. jun., New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 3 °C

    Great stop right in town. Peaseful most days and night. There is water at the front of the freemasons. No dumpstation in town. Pack in pack out. Great meal at the Gladestone pub, lovely to sit near the fire on a -5 deg night.Les mer

  • Tekapo lakeside holiday park

    16.–18. jun., New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    Hello from a frosty Tekapo! ❄️

    We’ve just ticked off a bucket list moment—relaxing in the hot pools with snow all around us! No snow falling, but being surrounded by the white stuff while soaking in steaming water was still absolutely magical. 🧖‍♀️🫧

    We’re staying at the Lakeside Holiday Park, but if you’re in a big caravan, heads-up: we got parked in a cold corner, and it’s definitely not ideal in these -7°C temps. One gas bottle ran out overnight (no heater!), our tanks and pipes froze, and we woke to a chilly 0.2°C inside and -6.1°C outside—not the coziest start to the day! 🥶

    If you’re thinking of staying here in winter with a larger van, maybe give it a second thought. We were told they don’t have much room for bigger setups. I’ve bottled up what water I could since we can't refill our tanks right now.

    Still, those hot pools with snow on the ground? Totally worth it.

    #VanLife #WinterCamping #FrozenButHappy #TekapoHotPools
    Les mer