and a belated Happy New Year … kiwi style
We were several days into our East Cape road trip when we reached Tokomaru Bay on 31st December 2011.
Travelling with two children, two dogs and my parents (in their own camper) we weren’t particularly looking for a parteeeeee spot for New Years Eve. Read More…
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History unpreserved at Tokomaru Freezing Works
After visiting Waipiro Bay we were keen to go and see Tokomaru Bay further down the east coast as I had read about the ruins of the old freezing works there.
The Tokomaru Sheepfarmers’ Freezing Company Ltd opened the works in 1911 after a group of local farmers raised the money for its construction. Many of the bricks used in the buildings were made at a local brickworks.
A small locomotive was built to link the freezing works with the wharf where up to 400 ships a year arrived to collect frozen sheep carcasses.
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East Cape continued… Wonderful, Wet, Waipiro
I had read in some guide-book somewhere that Waipiro was a ghost town. Read More…
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More East Cape capers
So we will continue…
It is late December 2011 and we are travelling around the East Cape of New Zealand in the Kiwi Blog Bus.
It is supposed to be our main summer holiday.
Sam has taken time off work.
The kids are on their school holidays.
My parents are visiting from the UK and are touring with us in their campervan.
And it is raining.
New Zealand sure knows how to do rain too. Read More…
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Waihau: Boy, Rockpools and salty sea dogs
Approximately 1o0kms from Opotiki is Waihau Bay.
Waihau was used as a film location in one of my favourite New Zealand films; BOY. Read More…
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Penguins and pews on the East Cape
From Opotiki we travelled north-east (ish) along the pohutakawa–lined, ocean hugging Pacific Highway.
The road passes through small settlements and towns.
Past brightly coloured primary schools and roadside veggie stalls. Read More…
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East Cape beginnings and Opotiki
Over the next few days I am going to post about a trip we took this summer around the East Cape of New Zealand.
I have long wished to go on this journey.
The Pacific Highway from Whakatane round to Gisborne takes in one of North Island’s most isolated areas – rich in Maori heritage and spectacular rugged coastlines. Read More…
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On the road again (part 4 – Pahoia)
So the final night of our Waitangi weekend was spent at another free parking spot provided by the wonderful Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
We travelled a little further around the coast line to Pahoia where we parked just a few feet from the shores edge and quickly threw our kayaks into the water for a paddle around.
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Waitangi Day dogs
Jess and Pip have spent the morning beachcombing, kayaking and guarding the bus.
They are pretty worn out now but just managed to stay awake for a spot of lunch at Te Puna before we head home.
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My view from bed on Waitangi Day
7.30am view from the bus window
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Kiwi Blog Bus
Campervan tales from New Zealand
The Kiwi Blog Bus - campervan tales from New Zealand 