Roadies With Jennifer

  24 October 2019, Thursday –  Pahiatua Les and Clare have invited us to join them in Napier for a few days.   We want to do Spring Chickens first so don’t get away until after lunch.   We try a stop at Eketahuna Camping Ground, down a long narrow unsealed drive, as recommended by J&H but there has been so much rain here the grass area is flooded so we go for plan B.   The Pahiatua Carnival Park, Glasgow Street, 06-376 6340 works, they also have had flooding and warn not to camp on the grass but they have a sealed space for us next to another full time rig but they are not there.   The park is lovely, ringed with trees with a large well groomed grassy area.   Free WIFI. We drive into town to the Black Stump for dinner and then have an early night.   We only thought afterwards that we should have called Clive and Penny to come out with us. Cost:   I think it was $27 cash? Dry Park on the seal Sign says Grounds Clo...

Sunday, 16 June It was a sunny morning with a promise of sun all week long up in the Bay.  Packed up the van and were on the road by 10.30am.  Our first trip over the Rimulayas and it went great, hardly any traffic and only a couple of cars passed us when we pulled over into the slow lanes. As we were driving toward Masterton we were passed by a small fire truck with siren on, then we saw another two, found out later they were called to Hood Aerodrome where two small planes has collided mid air killing both pilots, very tragic! Our plan was to overnight at the Dannevirke Holiday Park, 29 George Street ($24./night - 10% discount for Association members) so we could visit with Donna and the kids but Donna phoned to say they were all down with tummy bug and not wise to visit today - good call! So the drive was going well and after a coffee and food stop at the Black Stump in Dannevirke and a stop for diesel in Waipuk, decided to head further north toward Napier. Les and ...

Monday, 20 May 2019 Top Ten Holiday Park, 1 Pinewood Road, Foxton Beach $26/night each or $23.40/night with our Top Ten Membership which gives 10% discount. At very short notice (the night before) we decide to join Les & Clare and Harvey & Wendy on an impromptu trip to Foxton Beach.  The weather looks good so even though we are just today back from a weekend away in the MX5 to Whangamomona along the Forgotten Highway we figure we can do it, so off we go. Hooking up went more smoothly this time and packing didn't take long although we will need to go to the supermarket up there.  A good trip up SH1 saw us arrive at Foxton Beach before lunchtime.  Les and Clare have just arrived and are putting their bikes together to go for a ride.  I take myself off for an explore while Kim laxes back in the sun with his book.  Have a lovely walk along the new Sunset Walk and am surprised at the lovely big new houses built along the estuary.  There is still th...

30.04.19 Tuesday Kapiti Holiday Resort, 15 Beach Haven Place, Paraparaumu Beach x 2 nights - $44/night. Loaded up the van with food and wine, hooked it up behind the car with only a small lesson learned, keep the brake on while engaging the motor movers otherwise jockey weheel can move.  Didn't go far though but need to keep in mind. Had an uneventful drive north, traffic was light at mid-day and weather was good.  Van tows nicely, don't really know it is there and it was quite windy on the road. The camp is great, large grassy area with individual chalets including a toilet, basin and hot shower for each site.  Friendly Manager too.  It's just a short walk to Manly Street then down the track and you're on the beach.  Walked a couple of blocks north and found a useful shopping complex, two dairies, coffee bar, bakery and a booze shop.  We had some cloud cover today interspersed with sunny patches and 17C but during my later afternoon walk it started ...