Napier - 16 to 19 June 2019
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 Clare recently stayed at Clive and when we got that far decided we would overnight there too. The river was well used, jet boats and jet skis were honking. Freedom camping is on the south side of the river to the east of the road. We stopped right at the end of the park and only later as we were walking read the sign not to park there as area is prone to flooding. Not gonna rain tonight, we'll be OK there.
We had a lovely walk along the track toward the sea as the sun was setting. Came across a menagerie in a back yard - Flopsie the bunny, Billy and Nanny goats. There are some stunning homes along this road, quite a lot are holiday homes uninhabited today.
Heated up Lasagne for dinner, not connected to power so used the gas oven which took quite a lot of time. We can't plug in anyway as the electric cable didn't come with us! It is neatly coiled out of the rain in the garage!
We had a quiet night, the strawberry moon was huge, stars were out and only the distant thrum of traffic over the bridge and a couple of trains disturbed the peace.
Monday, 17 June
Woke up sunshine again! Didn't need the heater on, quite warm all snuggled up under the duvet. Went for a little walk under the bridge and checked out the toilet. It is a great spot so were happy to donate towards the upkeep of the area.
Headed off to Napier and looked at each of the four options for freedom camping here. We passed by the Foreshore and BMX Pump Track areas planning on coming back to these to overnight. Perfume Point has four spaced in the carpark so it's sealed and well marked. The four parks are full right now with small vans, don't look self contained. The track into the Westshore Beach Reserve was badly potholed and rough. The eight sites are grass and separated by low log fences and again there is a two night max. There were a couple of surfie vans here. We eventually set up camp at the BMX Pump Track on Marine Parade, there is no limit to the number of overnighters but there is a two night maximum. It was still just late morning and there were half a
dozen motorhomes and some smaller units. We are the only caravan. We disconnected and manhandled the van 180 degrees so we could look out over the ocean. Van is not heavy and worked well. After a coffee in the sun we drive to Mitre 10 and camping stores. Found a used gas cover at the caravan dealer, $30 he wants, offered $25 cash and took it away. Lunch at Columbus in M10 - yum!
After settling back at camp for the rest of the day, I took myself off for a nice long walk along the boardwalk, got as far as the sunken garden. I was well warmed up by the time I got back to the van,
Spent some time googling the Comedy Cruise for Jo's birthday. Thought about the RSA for dinner but in the end ate cheese and crackers followed by the rest of our corned silverside and salad.
It rained during the night but stars were also out and the waves were crashing against the shore. Don't park right at the beginning, the trucks from the port stop at the intersection before turning onto Marine Parade and their headlights disturb if you happen to be awake. The trains are pretty close here too.
Tuesday, 18 June
Sunshine again this morning, rain has long gone but it's only 7C - brrr! The furnace soon sorts the temp out. This morning every car park on the sea side is full and most of the ones next to the road. Most are cars or vans, only about four campervans! I guess this is what the locals are complaining about. At 8.45am the Council team did their rounds, just taking rego numbers down. Then the toilet cleaning team arrive. These were pretty clean most of the time, just once I went and was disgusted by the mess someone had left.
We sit around in the sun, spend some time in the township checking out the shops and getting lunch and then we hook up and drive to Havelock North, Richard and Katya have invited us to stay in their front yard, where the peach trees used to be. We have a great catch up, play with Jess (the ICU pet) and George. Have a fabulous dinner at Deliciosa Tapas in the township, the food was amazing! Expensive but well worth it. Chatted on until quiet late then a lovely peaceful night with a multitude of bunnies and one possum for company.
Wednesday, 19 June
Have to head back today, got the Spring Chickens mid winter Christmas/Solstice party tomorrow and have to prepare tonight. Take our leave from our hosts around 10.30 and hit the road. A good trip back, not much traffic again which is good and I finally see baby lambs just through Waipuk!! They are so cute!
For ease of parking we stop for lunch at McD's on the north end of Dannevirke, Donna is working today so will have to catch up with her and the kids another time. Might make a day of it.
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 Clare recently stayed at Clive and when we got that far decided we would overnight there too. The river was well used, jet boats and jet skis were honking. Freedom camping is on the south side of the river to the east of the road. We stopped right at the end of the park and only later as we were walking read the sign not to park there as area is prone to flooding. Not gonna rain tonight, we'll be OK there.
 |
| Clive River |
Heated up Lasagne for dinner, not connected to power so used the gas oven which took quite a lot of time. We can't plug in anyway as the electric cable didn't come with us! It is neatly coiled out of the rain in the garage!
We had a quiet night, the strawberry moon was huge, stars were out and only the distant thrum of traffic over the bridge and a couple of trains disturbed the peace.
Monday, 17 June
Woke up sunshine again! Didn't need the heater on, quite warm all snuggled up under the duvet. Went for a little walk under the bridge and checked out the toilet. It is a great spot so were happy to donate towards the upkeep of the area.
Headed off to Napier and looked at each of the four options for freedom camping here. We passed by the Foreshore and BMX Pump Track areas planning on coming back to these to overnight. Perfume Point has four spaced in the carpark so it's sealed and well marked. The four parks are full right now with small vans, don't look self contained. The track into the Westshore Beach Reserve was badly potholed and rough. The eight sites are grass and separated by low log fences and again there is a two night max. There were a couple of surfie vans here. We eventually set up camp at the BMX Pump Track on Marine Parade, there is no limit to the number of overnighters but there is a two night maximum. It was still just late morning and there were half a
 |
| BMX Pump Track Park |
Spent some time googling the Comedy Cruise for Jo's birthday. Thought about the RSA for dinner but in the end ate cheese and crackers followed by the rest of our corned silverside and salad.
It rained during the night but stars were also out and the waves were crashing against the shore. Don't park right at the beginning, the trucks from the port stop at the intersection before turning onto Marine Parade and their headlights disturb if you happen to be awake. The trains are pretty close here too.
Tuesday, 18 June
Sunshine again this morning, rain has long gone but it's only 7C - brrr! The furnace soon sorts the temp out. This morning every car park on the sea side is full and most of the ones next to the road. Most are cars or vans, only about four campervans! I guess this is what the locals are complaining about. At 8.45am the Council team did their rounds, just taking rego numbers down. Then the toilet cleaning team arrive. These were pretty clean most of the time, just once I went and was disgusted by the mess someone had left.
We sit around in the sun, spend some time in the township checking out the shops and getting lunch and then we hook up and drive to Havelock North, Richard and Katya have invited us to stay in their front yard, where the peach trees used to be. We have a great catch up, play with Jess (the ICU pet) and George. Have a fabulous dinner at Deliciosa Tapas in the township, the food was amazing! Expensive but well worth it. Chatted on until quiet late then a lovely peaceful night with a multitude of bunnies and one possum for company.
Wednesday, 19 June
Have to head back today, got the Spring Chickens mid winter Christmas/Solstice party tomorrow and have to prepare tonight. Take our leave from our hosts around 10.30 and hit the road. A good trip back, not much traffic again which is good and I finally see baby lambs just through Waipuk!! They are so cute!
For ease of parking we stop for lunch at McD's on the north end of Dannevirke, Donna is working today so will have to catch up with her and the kids another time. Might make a day of it.
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