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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
Free and fabulous in Tairua
There is a small car park overlooking Tairua harbour where, in an attempt to manage freedom camping, the local council have allocated two free overnight spaces for self-contained campervans.
Earlier this week we were lucky enough to get one of these much prized parking spots for the night.
Down at the beach… are you sure it’s Autumn?
Part of our recent trip away involved a night at Whangamata in the beautiful Coromandel.
We stayed overnight in an avocado orchard (an NZMCA POP site) which we have visited before, and then went into town for a spot of shopping and to visit the beach.
Fancy a spot of afternoon tea?
Gorgeous place for some self-indulgence @ The Old Mill Cafe, Paku near Tairua Read More…
Hey there Mr Blue
It’s the weekend, the sun is shining and the Kiwi Blog Bus is on the road again.

If I had the option to put a daily theme tune on here then todays would have to be some classic ELO.
Where ever you are I hope you see some blue skies and enjoy your weekend.










