Author Archives: mike

Rimutaka Rail Trail

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As it’s a long week-end and a fine Saturday morning we decided to get up and travel over the hill to the Hutt Valley and cycle the Rimutaka Rail Trail.

We have been saying for some time that we must do this ride.

Following an old railway line there is a steady incline, we cycled to the summit tunnel, but decided to turn around and head back as it had started to rain slightly.

Thecycle back although down hill was nearly as hard as the cycle up due to the strong head wind.

On the way back home the weather changed and we drove through a very heavy downpour. Lucky we didn’t carry on cycling otherwise we would have got very wet.

 

Back Home

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All too soon we have to say good bye to Mich and take her to Auckland airport.

This has been a slower more relaxed visit, hopefully, compared to the see all, do all, visit of two years ago. Hopefully Mich enjoyed herself and will be coming back again. We’ve alrady started planning the great Northland trip to see the top end of NZ and a drive along 90 mile beach.

Waihi Beach

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Not sure what to do or where to go with Mich today, as always we can never make a decision.

Katherine to the rescue…… They are going to the beach today with the boys and did we want to tag along. If so meet at the L&P bottle in Paeroa.

So off we go….

 

While there we had a sandcastle competition us versus the Caddys and already the twins are very competitive, Luke came up to us and distracted us while Tyler stole our shell decorations.

Blue Springs, Waihou River Walk

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Short drive down to Putaruru for the scenic Waihou river walk where 80% of NZ bottled water is sourced.

 

Windmill Walk

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Trying to get into pre Christmas fitness the Millingtons decided that the windmills walk would be a great idea.

All I can say about it is that it was a really hot day, there wasn’t any shade and we all know our own limits.

On the way back we stopped off at the Bridal Veil Waterfall

 

Napier – Hamilton – Auckland

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From Napier we traveled to Hamilton via Rotorua.

A nice long drive interrupted by a visit to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal park.

Although we took Mich to a thermal park on her previous visit to NZ we thought that these were a bit more spectacular and worth the stop.

From there it was onto sister Jennifer’s just out side Hamilton

The following day it was on up north to Auckland and the North Shore. (Takapuna) to meet up with Angela, Kirstey and Mimi.

On the way back we stopped off at the sky tower for a trip to the top, leaving Jo behind to go to the casino.

 

Napier

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After seeing Tracey yesterday we traveled onto Napier and stayed at sister Susan’s.

Today we decided to hire a bike for Mich and go for a cycle ride.

Unfortunately for Mich when Jo & I get on a bike we forget when to stop and turn around. We cycled along the sea front and onto Clive some 16Km away. Here we stopped at a very nice cafe and had lunch.

On the way back we made a detour and stopped of at local brewery specializing in ciders. I didn’t realize that there were so many different flavours. We ended up buying a sample of 6 ciders to share.

Unfortunately the drinks or more likely the bike ride took it’s toll on Mich and we left here at the Aquarium while we returned her bike to the hire shop.

We returned the bike safely and then went back and picked her up, she only missed out on a couple of kms.

Like an idiot I had left my garmin in the car while we were out on the bikes so I don’t have a track for today.

 

Mich’s Travels

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Mich has been in Wellington for a few days now and we have been to the zoo for a close encounter with the lions, been to the shops and also had a game of grazy golf.Now the holiday truly begins with a road trip from Wellington to Napier stopping off to see Tracy and her new baby Monty.Monty is a full 10 days old and Jo & I have arranged a photo shoot for Tracy. Then it’s off to Napier.

The one thing we nearly forgot when arriving at Tracy’s was that the bikes on top the car would not fit under their power lines. Luckily I stopped a few inches short of cutting them off.

Pencarrow Light House

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Today was a lovely winters day, bright and sunny, a few clouds but not too cold. Jo and I decided that today would be a good day to try a new bike ride so we headed off to Eastbourne.

That’s Eastbourne, Wellington not Eastbourne in the UK. We drove to the end of the road and then unloaded the bikes to head off towards Pencarrow Lighthouse.

With the wind behind us we were soon at the light house and decided to carry on a little further around the coast. We ended up cycling past Lake Kohangatera.

 

After about an hour cycling we decided to turn around and make our way back.

We stopped near Pencarrow lighthouse for our afternoon tea of lamb sandwich.

Just as I finished I looked up to see a plume of water rising just beyond some rocks.

I asked Jo to take a look.

As we both peered into the distance another plume appeared followed by the sight of a whale’s tail as it started to make its dive.

Jo was up in a shot, saying ‘let’s get a closer look’ as she jumped onto her bike and disappeared off down the track.

I was left to pack up and follow.

We managed to see them again a few minutes later. What an amazing sight and all it cost us was an afternoon cycle trip.

Easter weekend

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Well it’s easter already and like in the uk it’s a busy time in the garden.

Here, however, we are preparing for winter.

But just as in the uk both on Good Friday and Easter Sunday all the shops are closed.

Well that will give us more time to sort out the weeds.

We still don’t have a clue what to do but we’re sure a plan will come together eventually.