Day 20 Tekapo

Day 20
I won't apologize for the bombardment of photos. We really were in the most magical place on earth today and just happened to have pristine weather.
From 1degree this am when Denise Crimp andLæs mere
Day one Auckland to Matamata

Up early, walk to Orewa Beach to see the non existent sunrise. 🌅 Lol
Off we go in our new Dethleffs Alpa.
Packed up ready to go and first stop Zion Motorhomes to reset the settings of airLæs mere
Day 2 living the dream

Day 2
Early start for Dawn Anzac Parade and Service at Matamata. Very moving. So many people. Breakfast at RSA after.
Next stop Tirau coffee stop.
We stretched our legs at Huka Falls very cool andLæs mere
Freedom camp in Fielding

Day 3
Left Holiday park just after 10am following quite a jolt 5.9 earthquake, not all of us felt! Cool!
Onto Turangi for some supplies after a coffee and walk in very autumn like park on outskirtsLæs mere
Day 4 made it to Wellington

This weather is stunning. Chilly chilly mornings, woke to 6 degrees and took photos of Campervans and sunrise.
Across the grass, we are #2 and 3 from the left.
We went our separate days this am,Læs mere
Day 5 across Cook Strait to the Mainland

We couldn't have asked for a better day to cross. Simply stunning. Not a breath of wind nor a cloud in the blue sky. 💙
Dog friendly cabin was a def hit. Like being treated to special attentionLæs mere
Day 6

Our first relaxing day at Rarangi. Weather was 20 degrees and great. Bad weather coming.
Met our neighbours and walks on stony beach and up to Monkey Bay.
2013 The Hope family designed a seat upLæs mere
Day 8 Ward Beach

We left Waterlea Racecourse at Blenheim at lunchtime after a lovely walk around the corner to one of my favourite parks in the country, Pollard Park. Saw Teddy's rose 🌹
Did our shopping New World,Læs mere
Day 9 Kaikoura

Woke to capture great sunrise with the bulldozers taking the cray boats out. We left Ward Beach at lunchtime and had great lunch, seafood chowder, and salmon bagel at The Store right on the beach atLæs mere
Day 11 Waiau

Best day yet. Still no rain yet loved driving down the Kaikoura coast rd.
Stopped for photo shoot with seals and seal pups. It's the season .
Stunning drive through coast road and then turned off toLæs mere
Day 12 Hanmer Springs

Autumn all around us and glorious still. Scenery is stunning. Lots of nice river and bush walks with the dogs.
Drove to Hanmer Springs just 40 mins away and parked up in xarpark while we went to hotLæs mere
Day 13 Hanmer Springs second night

Left our freedom camping spot at lunchtime and headed to Top 10 campground at Hanmer.
Got our spot next to Denise and powered up.
Still no rain peeps, I'm sure it's coming. Was 22 degrees today.Læs mere
Day 14 arrived in Kaiapoi

Left Hanmer at lunchtime after a walk at the Forest Sculpture Amble. Wasn't sure what an amble was but Denise assured me it was a slow walk. Dogs enjoyed it. 😉
Drove on to Hawarden out ofLæs mere
Day 15 Kaiapoi 2nd night

Day 15
Kaiapoi NZMCA
This place is cool. I could stay a week easy.
Bit tired today as I didn't sleep well. 😴
Walk into town lovely coffee and our first cheese rolls this trip. 😋
Great CafeLæs mere
Day 16 Kaiapoi

Day 16 today
We ❤️ Kaiapoi
Waited another day to make sure we caught up with Glenda Giddy and Phil who are heading north
We went for a bike ride first along the embankment out the coast. SoundsLæs mere
Day 17

Day 17
Kaiapoi to Methven.
Bella came said hello to her friend Gary Boulton in the morning. Said goodbye to Phil and Glenda Giddy with coffee at Paris for the Weekend Cafe.
We staying at the iconicLæs mere
Day 18 Geraldine

Day 18
Geraldine
We had brunch at The Topp Cafe owned by Lynda Topp who just happened to be there and is running for council in Ashburton District.
Great eggs benny.
Onto Geraldine where we wentLæs mere
Day 19 Tekapo

Day 19
Lake Tekapo
Fab day driving through Fairlie to a coffee stop at Burkes Pass then onto Tekap o where even don't the ablutions is not a chore in paradise.
All settled in here now for a coupleLæs mere
Day 21

Day 21
Lake Pukaki freedom camping spot right on the lake.
Drove through a huge squall watched it come over and hit.
Then in about an hour it cleared. We are parked up with Denise Crimp and tonightLæs mere
Day 22

Day 22
We decided to stay at this magical spot at Lake Pukaki shores where we had fantastic views to Aoraki Mt Cook for our last night with the divine Denise Crimp . 😀
Couldn't think of a betterLæs mere
Day 23

Day 23
There might be 2 monsters in here if the name is anything to go by. 👻
Very pretty, deserted freedom camping stop at Lake Ruataniwha.
A brief stop at Salmon farm at Pukaki so we have salmonLæs mere
Day 24

Day 24
Met up with the Towler's Gail and Murray for a fun morning. Side trip to the amazing Clay Cliffs. Def worth a visit, then lunch at The Wrinkly Rams.
Said our goodbyes then onward to CromwellLæs mere
Day 25 and 26

Day 25 and 26
Have had 2 great days in Cromwell staying with the amazing Wendy Rear who just so happens to be in between visitors! How lucky are we?
Parked up on her front lawn 200 meters from theLæs mere
Day 27

Day 27
Dragged ourselves away from Wendy Rear great holiday home, if anyone wants to stay. Such a great position, close to everything. Sleeps 7 under Bachcare called Alpha's Nest.
Had a brilliantLæs mere
Day 28

Day 28
Waipiata Tavern on the rail trail.
Our happy place.
Drive through rural NZ to get here. Beautiful country.
We are parked up at the Domain behind the pub.
One day we will come back to do theLæs mere