Steamin Along

Take no notice of the rules, they don’t seem to apply 😂  Pretty cool gateway eh  I stayed here a night, out by the stockyards, on the gravel. Mainly because the rowdy bunch who stayed at the carpark, moved there into the actual camping area. It would have been a really peaceful night, except for the turkey & pukeko who thought the truck would make a great roost for the night 😂  Now I understand why the farmer culls the turkeys when they get too many. I counted 8 this morning, including a baby. Never seen a baby turkey before.  One of these flying looks like a plane 😂  It’s a really lovely spot, with heaps of camping area & farm animals that are tame, for kids. Also a cool round toilet, that I didn’t use, but I believe it’sa long drop. If you’ve never heard the term, you do your business & there’s a really long drop to the bottom of the pit,  if you’re lucky 😂  Kune kune pigs, Orpington Chooks, Red somethings, ducks, cows, sheep & turkeys The loo 50 people could camp

 The carpark in Huia turned into party central last night. I should have known when I saw the mattress come out, from one of the 5 cars parked up together. A nice family picnic I thought...(Tui beer moment) Yeah Right 🍺  It went on late into the night, with kids way out at low tide mark until well after dark. And I mean way out. That was pretty scary for me. Hopefully there was an adult out with them. To add perspective, I was watching what I thought was a child out there alone at dusk, & it turned out to be an adult 😂  The carpark was a decent size with a park to my right, including toilets & cold showers A chunky picnic set, donated by local families Le bridge to the boat ramp, a few km’s away Late nights are fine, until the traffic starts at 5am. 🥱 I’m going exploring the area today, to see where the masses are heading to. There must be some obscure industry around here somewhere 🤔  The sky is thick with dark clouds today, low sunburn factor for me, but that doesn’t mean

My early morning wandering. Out taking pics before 7am, that’s a first. 🎶 Do you know the way to San Hose 🎶  Such a cool curve Yep it’s a bus stop all right Huge trees out here I love the reflection, don’t you? I love those pointy shells too. And old farm fences That bull isn’t to be tampered with 😂  Beautiful isn’t he Love the rocks here. Even the boulders are like this Next stop for the night A toilet. I kid you not Plenty of parking The gateway is pretty cool eh That’s a family sized tent, for perspective I really wanted to go out to the Whatipu Caves this trip, but am prevented by lack of walking shoes & the ol gammy knee. It’s doing better today , & I’ve walked quite a bit. It’s a bit frustrating, but hopefully I’m granted lots more days on the planet 🌏 to continue exploring & will be able to come back here again.

 It’s time for a little cross country trip. I’m doing a little nostalgia travelling at the moment, going back to see places & people. It’s a lot of fun seeing how much things have changed.  I acquired a free North Island magazine from the members lounge yesterday, & sat down to find out if it was worth keeping. Definitely a yes. It’s got places to visit, points of interest, trip routes & places to stay, eat etc.  Before I headed off, I went for a looksee around the park, where I was staying. Such a beautiful place, with so many areas to explore & enjoy. Tui Glen Reserve, Henderson The river was very dirty Some gorgeous trees Cute historic buildings A thing A neat little picnic area on the wharf Log seat in the playground Next stop Titirangi   Teapot. At Te Uru  Museum Goneski! I love stone masonry Huge Kauri trees everywhere  This guy I’m loving all the new bypasses & motorways for efficiency, but also still want to go to places I haven’t been before. At the moment