Going for gold in the gorge
We have often visited Karangahake Gorge to enjoy its natural beauty and gold mining history, but on a recent trip away in the Kiwi Blog Bus we got to camp right in the middle of this wonderous area and discovered a lot more on our explorations.
Share this:
Don’t get too close today… I may just bite
Today I’m in the mood for a rant… so, sorry no nice pretty pictures, but sometimes things just have to be said.
Regular readers will know that our two dogs, Jess and Pip the travelling dogs, come with us in the Kiwi Blog Bus on every trip.
This of course means we have to exercise them and pick up after them – which we do without fail.
We are responsible dog owners and walk them on leads in permitted areas only, we take them off the leads when we are on mostly empty beaches or big spacious fields/dog parks etc. Many beaches have strict rules about what time of year dogs are allowed on, or if it’s in the evenings only. Read More…
Share this:
Whatever the weather
I read in the news today that here in New Zealand we have apparently just experienced one of the warmest Aprils on records.
(April’s record breaking sunshine. )
I must admit we had a pretty crappy summer this year but I can vouch that Autumn has so far made up for it.
New Zealand is supposed to have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons – but the weather can be very changeable and we often get four seasons in one day.
As in this well-known kiwi song by Crowded House…
Share this:
Marvellous nature at Mangapohue Natural Bridge
The Kiwi Blog Bus recently took us to a magical location where we were not only awed by the amazing feats of nature but well and truly gobsmacked by it.
I’ve already said the road from Waitomo out to the west coast is simply stunning, read magnificent meanderings to Marokopa, but the highlight of the scenic trip has got to be a stop at Mangapohue natural bridge.
A short stroll on a riverside boardwalk takes you along the Mangapohue Stream through a steep limestone gorge and into the remains of an ancient cave system.
Share this:
Magnificent meanderings to Marokopa
A 50km drive out west of Waitomo will lead you through an amazing limestone landscape to the historic west-coast fishing village of Marokopa.
We recently took the scenic route from Waitomo Caves (after we had stayed at Woodlyn Park), and I was blown away by the views along the way.
The road twisted and turned as New Zealand put on a good show of its rugged character and I could not stop taking pictures through a somewhat fly splattered windscreen. Read More…
Share this:
ANZAC Day: Lest we forget
Ceremony of remembrance at dawn, ANZAC Day 1940. The Citizens' War Memorial, Wellington . B E Pike 1939. Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand. http://beta.natlib.govt.nz/records/23247878
ANZAC Day is a national day of remembrance in New Zealand and Australia, held on 25 April every year to commemorate all those killed in war and to honour returned servicemen and women. Read More…
Share this:
Alexandra Redoubt: One of the Waikato’s most historic places
Quite often I get asked what I miss about not living in the UK anymore, but I’m not a whingeing pom and don’t begin to rhyme off a list of groceries.
I’m a very happy honorary kiwi, however if pressed on the subject I would have to say I miss the history and the architecture of old buildings.
And I especially miss castles.
But… I have to reinforce that I totally love the old New Zealand buildings.
I love the colonial style of many towns and buildings here and really enjoy visiting and learning about historic places.
So although it isn’t a castle I was very happy to visit Alexandra Redoubt which is listed on the NZ Historic Places Trust and is one of the best preserved earthworks of the New Zealand Wars.
Share this:
What happens when you put two dogs in a bus?
As we travel around New Zealand in our trusty campervan, The Kiwi Blog Bus, we are always entertained by the antics of our fluffy friends, Jess and Pip the travelling dogs.
On occasions I think they are a pain in the rear end and I wonder why we choose to travel with them when often they could stay at home with the teenage son, but then… they look at you with those big eyes and all is forgiven.
Well almost all.. Read More…
Share this:
Relaxed in Raglan
Today we ventured out in the Kiwi Blog Bus for a day trip to Raglan.
It’s the last day of our Easter school holidays and we felt the need to get out in the bus for one last holiday trip and enjoy the gorgeous indian summer we are having.
Raglan is a small town on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, about 50km from Hamilton. Read More…
Share this:
<
Kiwi Blog Bus
Campervan tales from New Zealand
The Kiwi Blog Bus - campervan tales from New Zealand 