New Zilland

We have had a fabulous and adventurous 3 months in The Shaky Isles, travelling around much of the North Island. What a beautiful country! The grass really IS greener on the other side of the ditch.

In our last entry we were planning our trip to the south of the North Island. We were of course travelling in the depths of a NZ winter, with rain, snow, ice, howling gales and sub-zero mornings. But we are made of tough stuff, and we had a safe and cosy car, and the motels in NZ are fully equipped for frozen travellers! We stayed at Turangi, at the southern end of Lake Taupo, before braving the Desert Road, with magnificent views of the Mountains (Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngarahoe) resplendent in their snowy glory. The Desert Road was very icy in places, with icicles hanging off the rock faces, but the NZ driver didn’t turn a hair!

The Desert Road

Then to Marton, a town we were interested in looking at as an option. Saw a few homes there, but …no.
Off to Masterton where Liz’s Uncle Trevor and Auntie Sandie live, in a beautifully renovated NZ Villa , on 20 acres just out of town. We had a fabulous couple of weeks with Sandie and Trevor, and their lovely family. We got snowed in at one stage – all roads leading in and out of Masterton were closed for several days and it even snowed (but didn’t settle) on the back porch.

Liz enjoyed working with Trevor on the house renovations – one evening we celebrated the last of the guttering to go on the house. (Trevor has been renovating the house for some 25 years, so this was a major milestone!)

Celebrating the last piece of guttering!

Pleasant Sunday

Love the Wairarapa – cute little towns with great collections of restored homes, much loved by Wellingtonians who want to escape the city.

The Wairarapa[/caption]

A highlight of our time in the Wairarapa was a visit to Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, where we experienced all sorts of NZ wild life – and learned that NZ has only 3 native mammals, and they’re all BATS! We were so lucky to see the White Kiwi, with beautiful pearlescent feathers!

Mt Bruce – Home of the White Kiwi

We braved the Rumatakas – mountain range between Masterton and Wellington, with THE most horrendous road clinging to the side of the mountain, with instant death waiting for the unwary. It was icy and snowy, but again, the Kiwi driver nailed it. We checked out a potential housesit near Pahatanui with magnificent views over the hills to the sea– but decided that looking after 15 dogs (ranging in size from Jack Russells to huge White Shepherds, to Great Danes) 8 cats, 20 kittens, 2 pink and grey galahs, a lizard, chooks, sheep, and wild horses, on a vertical property with goat track access, was not our idea of a restful time!

The Rumatakas

The Rumatakas

After the snow cleared we went to Otaki where we stayed in a cute little beach house (bach) for a week, and from there explored the Kapiti Coast, Wellington, Pahatanui. Loved the Kapiti coast with the artistic vibe, beautiful coastline and Kapiti Island. We were so lucky to catch up with old friends, Pat and Deb, who live in beautiful Ruamati, Barry, Liz’s oldest mate ( they were born in the same hospital in Raetihi 4 days apart – Liz claims seniority!) and Joan from Petone.

Friends from way back!
Barry and Liz

Pat and Deb in their fabulous tree top house

Joan

The organ Liz played in her youth – this could tell a few interesting stories!

Some friendships, no matter how many years and miles separate us, never die!

Wellington is described as The World’s Coolest Capital, and we can see why. Big foody culture, lots of art and culture, and those wonderful colourful Wellingtonian houses clinging to the hillsides. We took the Cable Car to Mt Victoria, where Liz went to Uni in the day, a touch of nostalgia!

Wellington

Then back to Auckland, via the magnificent Huka Falls, and endless classic Kiwi scenery. New Zealanders are a quirky bunch – every little town has its own character and appeal.

Huka Falls near Taupo

Quirky NZ!

Back in Orewa with Auntie Barbara, who generously took us all over Auckland and showed us the sights.

Auckland

It was lovely to spend time with cousins and their families.

We explored the area north of Auckland –Wellsford, Warkworth, Dargaville, Whakatane, – and east – Thames, Coramandel. All stunning.

Beautiful Countryside !

Sadly we decided that NZ, while it is a superbly beautiful country to visit, is not for us. We realised that it is ultimately important for us to be near Sam – we want to watch him grow and for him to know us. And no AFL! Except for half an hour at 11pm every Saturday night. Rugby remains a mystery to Kathy! Liz discovered that after 35 years in Oz, she is more Aussie than Kiwi – a wrenching decision for her to make. So we made the difficult choice to come back over the ditch at the end of August.

So – We still call Australia home! Where in Australia is another decision to make. There’s a lot going for the east coast – close to Tim and Emma, Ross and Val, The Tritschlers, closer to other places, easier to jump over the Tasman whenever Herself needs a Kiwi fix, and on it goes. For now we are happy to be back in our caravan in Yass, with plans to head off soon to explore Victoria and South Australia, heading back to Perth in time for Christmas with Clare, John and SAM! If necessary we will kidnap Sam and bring him east with us – his parents will follow!