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Go South My Children

March - June 2023
We are on the way to the South Island... a pilgrimage that is Up2Him where we go and with whom we minister. This will be a very exciting trip... Read more
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  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 1

    Trip 3 .. Go South You Say!

    March 2, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We left Tauranga yesterday after Waymaker was all groomed and turned into the beautiful girl that she is. We drove through Rotorua to drop off the car and then set the GPS to "South Island.".. we are off.
    The first stop was the DeBretts Motor Csmp and Hot Springs in Taupo.... awesome soak last night in the hot springs. Afterward we meet a young French couple camping next to us who were on their honeymoon. We invited them in for a chat and ended up passing on some of our 51years of marriage experience to them. A blessed night.

    We are off to "I dont know where this morning!" Roll on day 2.    Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 2

    A Time With Old Friends

    March 3, 2023 in New Zealand

    WOW! What a wonderful few days it has been. After our Taupo stay and hot swim we travelled through to Taihape, stopping at the Waiouru Military Museum. We have driven past it many times but never stopped... it is well worth a visit.
    We overnighted at the Blue Gum Camp in Taihape... very pleasant and very peaceful. The ladies in the motorhome behind is wanted to gift us some passion fruit plants!!... hello! We settled for some home made rewarewa and honey ointment.
    From there plans changed... we are now off to Featherson to spend time with Steve, Bex, and family therefore we travelled on through to Feilding to visit, and attend church with old friends. Our plans are to catch up with the family before catching the ferry on Saturday.
    It is now Monday, and after travelling over the "saddle" among all the trucks going to and from the Hawkes Bay we are now parked up at Le Gra Vineyard. just before Masterton. And yes the Vineyard is closed...
    We are off to I dont know where tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 8

    Change is Often Good

    March 9, 2023 in New Zealand

    A quick update on our stopover at Le Gra' Family Winery at Opaki, a little way out of Masterton. When we were leaving, we went into the cellar to make a donation to Starship Childrens Hospitsl for our nights stay. The owner, Bryan, was cleaning up the yard and came over. We got talking and learned Le Gra' is gaelic for "with love." Their daughter, now 12, was born with many tumors in her brain and body and would only live for a maximum of 10years.. she is now 12. We asked Bryan if we could pray.. Yes! So we called down Heaven and had a wonderful time praying for her. Such a special time with such a special man, for his very very special daughter. Thank you Lord.
    We left and drove Waymaker out to Castlecliff Beach to take a walk to the lighthouse... wonderful.
    Had a chance to pray for Michael on the beach... his wheel chair was stuck in the sand. He was born with spinal bifida so we prayed and prayed. He said he wanted to become a "stand-up comic!" Maybe one day... nothing is impossible with God.
    Next day we were off to spend time with our son Steven, and Bex, and tribe... and then off to the Hutt where we are now.
    Our ferry to Picton was to leave at 1pm tomorrow but now its 8.45am .. ouch!.. a 4:30am start. But then... change can ofter be a good thing!    Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 10

    I Can See the Sea

    March 11, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    After our early start from Belmont Park in Stokes Valley to catch our ferry, we had a very calm and quick crossing to Picton.
    For the first time Waymaker was the very first vehicle off the ferry. We took a quick tour of Picton then set off on the 20 drive through to Blenheim... to an exceptionally full NZMCA camp at the Racecourse.
    The next day Bryan and Mo joined us in their motorhome.
    Monday we decided to do the usual (wine trail) but little did we know that nearly all cellar doors were shut tight on a Monday.. oh well.. we had a lovely drive.
    This morning, we caught up on restocking our cupboards then headed south along the Kaikoura Coast to Kekeringu Beach. We are now all set up on site right beside the Pacific Ocean (& the railway lines!) ...    Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 17

    Sheltering

    March 18, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    It has been a roller coaster of a ride since leaving Kaikoura. Travelling along the coast we were entertained by seals sunning themselves, while one in the water waved to us, and dolphins playing and jumping just off the shore. A wonderful coastal ride.
    After then travelling over the hill country for 40minutes we decided to head off to a coastal motor camp for the night. Unfortunately, on arriving we discovered that "No Dogs Allowed!"
    We were then told of another camp at the Hurunui River Mouth only 30 or so minutes further on would be a great place to camp.... oh!! "Sure, Right!" Then our problems started... ending up down a wrong track, then across a very very poorly maintained bridge .. in error.. then down to the camp that wasn't a camp for anything larger than a pup tent. And then we had the problem of turning Waymaker around and back up a loose river stone track up to the clay track we drove down to get there!!!
    We made it without traction and with the front wheel spinning the whole way back up... ouch!
    The Tavern at Greta Valley became our camp site for the night. Hughly noisy... all night!
    Next morning we decided to head to the coast again and a small camp at Motunau Beach became our destination... and we are still here, all alone, waiting out a 24-hour storm to pass over.
    Roll on our rolling on!!    Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 27

    Wonderful World of Nature

    March 28, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    After the ordeal of Waymaker being pulled through the stones of Amberly Beach after to road to the golf club had been washed out by a storm, we spent the latter part of the day with our travel mates Bryan and Moana parked up overnight at a Omihi vineyard. May I say the $10 spent on the wine tasting was well worth it.
    The next morning we left for Rangiora in full sun... a beautiful day... our first day of freedom!! We ended up at a small camp just out of Rangiora. It was fairly native and was behind an immaculate camp ( at 3x price we paid.!) The next morning we all went off to the Gateway Fellowship then for some KFC down by the river.
    We decided to go to the Orana Wildlife Park on Monday and parked up at the McLeans Island Golf Club which is a Lions Roar down the Road from it. We spent the whole day there and totally enjoyed the experience.
    Due to very bad weather today we decided to buy a powered site at the North South Motor Camp and to sit out the cold wet weather. And now we wait.    Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 30

    Into the clouds

    March 31, 2023 in New Zealand

    We have arrived in Akaroa after the GPS took us off the main highway and up over the mountains and into the clouds ( we couldn't see a thing!) It was called the Scenic Route!!
    Apart from that the trip when not in cloud was very scenic, and the road was good but very, very, very winding. Lots and lots of tight corners!!
    While in Christchurch we caught up with Gary and Kirsten, dear friends of ours.) Unfortunately another friend we were no able to catch up with.
    The weather was bitterly cold and wet... a brisk welcome to winter. Hopefully we will now get some warm autumn weather.
    Off to practise my French after lunch!!
    Ta, Ta!    Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    1
    Day 30

    Arrive' in Akaroa

    March 31, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Don't expect your GPS to give you the smartest route just the Scenic Route. Oh Boy! Did Waymaker arrive in Akaroa via the scenic route.... except, this 4th grade road was in total cloud; pea soup cloud over all the mountains we traversed. Never the less, we made it.
    After our lunch the 3 of us took a stroll around town so as to soak up the French atmosphere as well as to try out my excellent high school French I can still remember. It would seem as though the French language has moved on since my day at school.
    The photo are just a selection from out walk... enjoy!    Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 34

    Snail Pace is OK

    April 4, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Now at Methven for lunch after spending the night at Coalgate, and the morning wandering around the Rakaia Gorge. Decided to miss going up to Mount Hutt Ski Fields... far too rocky at present.
    Off the Ashburton a little later on.. maybe!!Read more

  • TravelerGo South My Children
    Day 36

    Rain, Rain, Go Away...

    April 6, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    We arrived at the Denfield Golf Club (Geraldine) last night after having our automated gas system installed into Waymaker and having called on our dear friends in Ashburton.
    Today we headed off into Geraldine to buy some genuine mountain gear... Merino wool, possum "road kill," and natural wool stuff... just in case it turns really really cold down here. We caught up with people heading off to the Wheels Weekend in Wanaka... plus several Ford Zephyrs.
    Afterwards we went down the road to Temuka to check out the Temuka Pottery, had lunch, walk the main street, then drove back to the golf club for another night of peaceful sleep.....    Read more

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