Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where

Today is a day of preparation and rest.
After a week of catching up with friends, various meals to attend,countless trips to and from our storage shed as we loaded Waymaker up with rods, summer clothes, pots and pans, plus a thousand of other goodie Read more

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Trip start
December 17, 2022
Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Trip 2 .. a Day Delay
December 18, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
Oh, What a night! Poor Christine woke just after midnight feeling horribly unwell, and tried to make it to the bathroom..... not an easy task at the best of times. Unfortunately she was sick three times onto the duvet. Yuck!!!!!
While she looked after herself I changed the bedding .... double yuck!!
This morning I assigned myself to laundry duties while Chrissy had a shower and rested up.
The decision was made not to move out until she is up firing on all four's. I need a bit of sleep as well therefore Sunday has become a day of recovery and restoration.
Maybe, just maybe we will be off tomorrow... we will see.Read more
Oh dear hope she’s feeling better soon. You will pass our place but we not home until lunchtime
12/17/22Reply
Travelerwe will see how she is in the morning. we were taking the car with us as well to Tauranga.
12/18/22Reply
Ok, we have an appointment in Tga on Tuesday at 11 so on our way home after lunch we might come via Welcome Bay but will let you know
12/18/22Reply
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Trip 2.. once dead is Now Back To Life
December 20, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Trip 2 has been a hard one to get going. What with Christine's illness which we believe is due to the new medication the Rotorua Hospital have recently put her on, and then on the morning we were due to leave, the car battery was dead... stone cold "dead!" Fortunately our dear friend Terry came forth with a battery starter thingie that worked a treat. He even allowed me to take it with us until I could get the car "sorted."
After two further car start failures I took her into a Tauranga Auto Electrician this morning whom diagnosed that the battery was "stone cold dead. " (see, I told you so!) After a short service we buried it and soon replaced it with a newer model with a ton of energy! .. yippee!!
While in Tauranga I sorted the personal plates out for Waymaker and was soon back at the NZMCA camp at Welcome Bay. Just in time to watch the rabbits playing outside our motorhome.
Let the pilgrimage commence.....Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Third Thing Now Sorted .. (we hope)
December 21, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
After not having the fridge working on "gas" since arriving at camp we have spent the morning getting it all sorted at the RV Service Centre. It only needed a new thermostat, a new igniter, a new circuit board that controls it all, plus a new bank balance (help!!) It would seem that the lithium batteries are not very friendly with motorhome compoinentary. Oh well... tonight we will be able sleep without the musical charms of beep, beep, beep, beep.......
Off to visit an old friend this afternoon then the family are coming over for a bbq tonight.Read more
Wow a major huh but glad you got it sorted
12/20/22Reply
Traveleryes.. Clint was excellent... saw my need and got to it.
12/20/22Reply
You are having a baptism by fire Maurice & Christine, wasn’t aware that lithium batteries would cause the repairs you had to do but I am not an Auto Electrician. For your reference, our Scout (Sasannach) had a 200 amp hr lithium battery in it as well. Still I bet you are still very happy enjoying the motorhome life, just initial teething problems. Cheers John and Marian [John Lee]
12/22/22Reply
TravelerYou are quite right John. We must take these things in our stride and move forward.
12/22/22Reply
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
On the Road Again
December 27, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Left the NZMCA camp at Welcome Bay after spending Christmas with our daughter Rachelle and her family. And what a precious time it was.
Our intention was to go to the dump station in Te Puke on our way taking our car back to Rotorua. Unfortunately it was so overflowing we decided to move on.
We left our car with friends then dumped in Rotorua, filled up with diesel ⛽️ and headed off for our pilgrimage around the Naki.
We are now set up on the edge if the Maraetai Lake again and what a wonderful back yard we have.
We are not too sure where we go next or when!! He does.Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
All Set Up
December 30, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We are all set up in Taumaranui for a couple of nights and we are still enjoying our wonderful summer.
We needed to leave Maraetai Lake due to the continual dust being created by the many many boats and hundreds of people using the reserve. It was a wonderful spot but ideal stopping point during quieter times.
We are now camped at a POP site just above the junction of the Whanganui River and another one. We are off to walk it later today... meanwhile we are cleaning the dust out of Waymaker, relaxing and enjoying our journey.Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Where oh Where Do You want Us To Be?
December 31, 2022 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
National Park was not to be our night over place for New Year's Eve. Went there, drove around, had a coffee, then drove out.... and onto Ohakune.. Carrot Country.
Once again we drove around, but all the freedom camping site were either gone, closed off, or didn't exist... BUT .we knew we were in the right place and then...... on our way back into town, here was a golf club with motorhomes over the back of the carpark.... here we are., all set up and ready to party hard until 9.30pm bed time°Read more
Traveler⁸
1/9/23Reply
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Pipiriki.. Heaven on Earth
January 2, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Pipiriki, a beautiful settlement on the upper Whanganui River, miles from anywhere (and everywhere).. where there is no cell phone service, but there is a wonderfully maintained camp with full facilities... awesome... peace perfect peace!.
The trip here from Raetihi was downhill for 27kms.. winding narrow, many one way bridges, yet a tarsealed road.
Looking forward to an afternoon of rest before heading downstream to Whanganui tomorrow.Read more
Traveleryou are sure living the life blessings
1/1/23Reply
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
We Have Been to Nowhere Today!
January 4, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
What a wonderful day Christine and I have had. Zooming up these Whanganui River canyons in a jet boat for 37kms. We were treated like vip's by the staff and given the front two seats to ride in. Stopping several times on the way for our driver Thomas to pass on his river knowledge as a 5th generation river-man.
Once arriving at the landing we walked for another hour through native bush to the Bridge to Nowhere!
My impression of the day were (1) just how busy the river is with canoeist everywhere, (2) the huge number of people walking various bush walks that you come upon, and (3) just how unfit I am. Never the less we made it to the Bridge and back to the landing again. Yet... fit enough to totally enjoy the three doughnuts we did in the jet boat on our way downstream to home.
Maybe the cost was a wee bit extravagant but it was worth every penny. I think it will be early to bed tonight.Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Wet, Wet, Wet, Whanganui
January 7, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 21 °C
Our stint of freedom camping in a Whanganui Park on the banks of the Whanganui River didn't last long; one night to be exact... the noise of the continuous traffic behind us meant we had no sleep. We decided to move into the Castlebeach Holiday Park for 3 nites. The wonderful managers made room for us in a very full camp.
We have caught up with our dear friends Harold and Jeanette and they have taken us under their wings in showing us their city.
We went out to diner last night and are off to church this morning...
We are dry, warm, and at peace.Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Storm Runners....
January 10, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Today we have ended up at Hawera for the night after setting up at the river mouth in Patea and again on the cliff top in Hawera.. neither were very practical locations with the stormy weather expected. We are now safely tucked up in a NZMCA camp in the heart of Hawera.
My hair is now all cut and Road User Milage bought.. we are all set for a safe night.
And... a huge thank you goes out to Harold snd Jeanette for the wonderful few days with them, dining, and visiting not only their wonderful city but also with them ... an awesome timeRead more
TravelerLloyd
1/15/23Reply
TravelerUse you
1/15/23Reply
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Hurray... Summer Has Returned!!
January 12, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We have kept on extending our stay in Hawera a day at a time due to the high wind and driving rain. Some of the gusts were over 100kph and could have tipped us over given the right conditions. The sun is now out, a steady breeze is blowing, the camp is near empty, and it all looks good for our departure tomorrow.
Spent the morning checking Waymaker over.. emptying all the differend fluid waste, and topped her up with 240ltrs of lovely fresh clean water. We have done a little shopping and are ready for tomorrows highway where ever or to whom ever it may take us.Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Opunake.. A Place of Rest
January 13, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
Sitting in our motorhome on the edge of a lake or overlooking a beach and the sea brings a strength back to our bodies. Rest is a good thing and here our bodies are getting plenty of it.
Walking the beach, or around the lake, or just a lazy stroll up the main street becomes therapy to the soul.
This morning even the spirit is being taken care of as we attend the Wave Church... at a combined service this morning at 10 and a pot bless tea at 5.30pm.
We ard not sure when we will move on... I dont think our work here is over yet!!Read more
TravelerCertainly is an inspiring sunset
1/15/23Reply
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Beach Day For The Lady
January 16, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Off to the Opunake main beach for Waymaker today. First we had laundry, shopping and the normal dump station visit to take care of.. then to buy fish and chips and off to the beach.
I think after 3 months on the road that I am now starting to relax....
Yesterday was a very special day at "The Wave Church". We were blessed by an incredibly weight and presence of the Holy Spirit. The church was full, worship and prayer time incredible, and the time of fellowship was wonderful at both services. We thank the Lord for the blessing of "words"of life from Holy Spirit and for lives changed.
Not sure yet what we are to do tomorrow. We know our next step but not yet when to take it. !!!Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
We Are Able to Still Hear The Surf
January 17, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We left Middleton Beach Opunake around 9am yesterday after a restless sleep... our very first. A lady and children were sleeping on the beach with music playing, then the gas bottle ran out and the fridge started beeping therefore I had to get up, get dressed, and go out to change the bottles over .. drat it!
Before heading westward we once again visited the dump station, filled the empty gas bottle (had to wait for a tanker to stop filling up the garage gas tanks.) Then we were off to the Maui Gas Fields Refinery, Parihaka Maori Land War/protest, and the Cape Egmont Lighthouse befoe heading off along the beautiful coast on a partially metal road to the Capelight Musium., Mount Egmont Boating Club, and another lighthouse... all in one.
It is another glorious sunny day today in Warea and the surf is running in.
I think it is time for breakfast and then........ !!!Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Waymaker Journey Continues
January 19, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
We spent a couple of nights at the motorcamp at the Mount Egmont Boat Club. In that time we walked rested, and trained a whole load of eels.(can you call a group of eels a school?)
We carried on through to New Plymouth on Friday, found our camp site down Nania Rd then went and gave Cyrus a bath at Animates, bought food, and by 4pm were parked outside the main gates of Pukekura Park... ready for the light show that was to be turned on at 8:30,pm.
We took Cyrus through the park until 7pm.. sat in the motor home until 8pm and then went and enjoyed a remarkable festival of lights... everywhere were lights.. wonderful
We are off in a few minutes to Mitre 10 and tomorrow it is COF day.... help!!Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
We Have D'Power!!
January 22, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Arrived back in camp with power back up and running.
We have been without power in the MH since Saturday Afteroon. The manager got a fellow camper over to help sort it but couldn't therefore the manager put all our stuff into his freezer, and provided us with a small fridge for our perishables.
Off to Nationwide RV this morning and we are now all up and running.... thank you.
Sunday evening we joined in the singing at the "fellowship centre" here at the camp... great old songs from a long long time ago... awesome.
Tomorrow I am off to get my COF.. hoping all goes well... but we have d'power!!
Oh.. yes...yesterday we had a wonderful catch up with my sister Patricia and Lance in Inglewood... a truly beautiful time.Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Calm in the Midst of a Storm
January 28, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
We are back in Opunake today... a very wet, windy, miserable day for travel, never the less, we are here.
We have a small meeting we are speaking/praying at 2pm today, then we are off to the Catholic Church in the morning and to the Wave Fellowship pot luck tea and Bible Study at night.
Monday we drive through to Martin, then hopefully we make our way up to Rotorua and Tauranga.Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
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What a Great Day, Great Time
January 28, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌩️ 20 °C
We spent the weekend with the Wave Church Family of Opunake and what a wonderful weekend it was. We even we made time to go to Everbodies Theater on Friday night with Bill and Kerry to watch Otto.. a strange but most enjoyable move. I ended up watching the movie in a lazyboy chair with my feet up. (a first) while Christine was on the couch with Kerry.
This morning was a gas bottle filled, and dump station call, and then the the start of our plodding back to Rotorua and Tauranga.
We are staying the night in Marton, having a look around after lunch, then off again in the morning.
We are both doing great and totally enjoying our life.Read more
Traveler Everybody’s theatre!!! Our favourite
1/30/23Reply
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Saftey in Delay.
January 30, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
We have decided to spend and extra day at the NZMCA camp in Marton due to the impending bad weather where we are heading.. Rotorua & Tauranga. Here we are free from the rain and high wind. Here we can attand to business safely.. we can head north tomorrow.
The social life in this camp is remarkable. People we have only known for a few days suddenly have become "great" friends for-ever!! All very strange.
The camp itself is just a stroll through a beautiful historic park to the town centre. And there we once again had a wonderful God moment with an eldery man preaching on the main street. Holy Spirit time once more!!
Off tomorrow bright and early for Turangi then Rotorua and Tauranga on Thursday.Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
We're Back
January 31, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
We are now parked up at Keswick Camp again. Back in town to catch up with old friends, appointments, and to visit our home church. We will also need to get through to Tauranga to visit family, have a few changes made to Waymaker, and have her spruced up for our next trip out.
Our trip is over .... roll on our next one in three weeks......Read more
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Trip 2, To We Don't Know Where Traveler
Go South My Children!!
March 2, 2023 in New Zealand
At long last Waymaker is on its way. This new pilgrimage is through the South Island. "Lord, may Your will be fulfilled through us as we go."

Over the past month we have had "Waymaker" decals put on the front and rear of her, the 40,000km service oil and filters done, front window stone ships delt to, and the Rotorua RV Centre repaired a hole in the top rear corner of the roof (ooops), repair to a blind, put the legs back into the side shader, plus a few other small jobs.

In an hour we leave to have her detailed and waxed, then we start our journey south.
We cross to Picton on the 1pm sailing on the 11th... we have no idea where we are going, or over the next 3-4months what adventures we will have with Him. What we do know is our cry.. "here we are Lord, use us!" It is all Up2Him.

Many many thanks to Terry, Raewyn, and staff at Keswick Christian Camp Rotorua for accomodating us, to our Pastor's JP and Karen Metcalf of Rotorua C3 in covering us and standing with us, Tracey for just being there when needed, and our many wonderful friends who have visited, dined, advised us, and prayed for us... a huge "thank you!"Read more
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Trip end
February 5, 2023