Waipukurau

After arriving back in the North Island, we started to head north towards Tauranga. Via Napier and Taupo. One of our first stops was Levin. The weather was wet and cold. I think it was miserable all over the island really. As well as this, my workload (job) was quite heavy, and consequently I didn't take a lot of photos in Levin. Except this one. Who could resist this wonderful wee caravan at Gipsy Caravans. We called in there to replace our levellers (those things you run one set of wheels up on to try and make the rig level). Well, one of them had cracked and we needed a new one before it gave out altogether and we ended up having to sleep on a slope. Gipsy Caravans were wonderful! They told us that the levellers should have held up a much heavier rig than ours and as they were less than a year old, made some phone calls and managed to get us a new set for free. Very happy. Thank you, Gipsy Caravans, Levin!

After Levin, we travelled north towards Dannevirke. We went through Ashurst and over the saddle. It's a windy road, up and down, but apparently better than the Pahiatua Track. And now that the Manawatu Gorge is closed, well, this is the best option. The weather was still miserable, but these wind turbines on the east side of the saddle are just magnificent.

Just look at them all! And look at that sky! Waiting to dump on us again . . . .

We stayed at the Dannevirke Golf Club so that we could catch up with some special friends who travelled across from Fielding to see us. Dave and Mark had a game of golf while Sandra, Lucy & I had a great walk around the golf course.

Although we could have travelled further on the next day, we'd arranged to have our mail forwarded to Waipukurau, so that was our next stop. We happened to arrive on the weekend, so it was a couple of days waiting for the Post Shop to open.

We went for a walk one afternoon (between the showers). All rugged up against the cold. And these are some of the sights.

Waipikarau's claim to fame.

The back of the train station.

And this is where we stayed—in the car park of the Leopard Hotel. Although a car park of a hotel may not sound very exciting, it has some great advantages:
1. You're on solid ground, so if it's raining, you're not going to be in the mud or get bogged down. You'll always be able to get out of there.
2. You're well off the road, safe.
3. You get to meet the friendly locals. Sometimes. We find the smaller the town, the friendlier the locals.
4. You can usually purchase a well-priced bar meal and have a break from cooking.
5. You can drink and not have to drive.
6. You can beat your husband at pool. Again. ;) Hehe. (It happens so infrequently, it needs to be recorded/celebrated.)

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The Honest Lawyer

We've been so busy lately catching up with friends and family and socialising, I've had very little time to take photos, let alone post them on here. Then work filled any gaps in time I had.

We had a fabulous time at Kekerengu (north of Kaikoura) catching up with one of my bridesmaids that I hadn't seen for absolutely years . . . too ashamed to admit how many. Needless to say, it was great to see her and to hear her stories of what she'd been through during the earthquake. A challenging experience.

Our next stop was Nelson where we planned to spend some time with Rick and Chic, our friends from Hahei whose wedding anniversary we helped celebrate in Arrowtown in late April. At the time, we'd not had a chance to talk much with them as it was a large party of friends at dinner. So we determined to make up for that before they headed back across Cook Strait and home. They caught up with us at The Honest Lawyer in Nelson and we spent a couple of nights enjoying their company.
This hotel allows motorhomes to use their car park for two nights as long as you purchase a $20 voucher—to be used in their establishment. It's situated right on the shore.

Walking from the car park down the sidewalk next to the sea.

What a beautiful old building, full of character. These photos are all taken in their grounds as we wandered around.

The two chimneys on top are fascinating. You can see them in the very first photo as well.

Just across the road was another beautiful old brick hotel—the Monaco Nelson Grand Mecure.

Going for a walk one afternoon, we met up with this weka (also known as a woodhen). This one is about the size of a chicken.

The view from The Honest Lawyer car park at night, looking across the water.

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Danseys Pass Coach Inn

Leaving Naseby, we spotted a signpost that said "Danseys Pass" and decided to head in that direction. Before long we came across this mob of merino sheep being driven along the road.

We stopped and waited for them to go around us. At first they approached confidently . . .

. . . and then they stopped as if they weren't too sure which way to go. Checking out their options!

But the dogs soon got them moving again and in no time at all they were past us. 

In a few places along the way, there were these interesting cliffs, usually alongside a river. I think the dark patches are because they're wet. There's been a lot of rain just lately.

Hoping that wasn't too important . . . 

There are two or three of these narrow bridges along the way. I think we could probably have fitted our rig across as it's high enough to travel over these concrete edges, but a wider or lower motorhome might have a problem squeezing through.

When we arrived at Kyeburn Diggings, we noticed this interesting old sign.

Then we came across the Danseys Pass Coach Inn (previously the Dansey Pass Hotel). What an unexpected surprise! This right end is the accommodation (about 17 rooms) and was built in 1862.

This left end, the bar and a huge lounge area, was built in the 1900s. The restaurant is to the right, between the bar and the accommodation.

As we walked in the door, our reaction was, "Wow!". This impressive room exuded character. From the huge fireplace and exposed beams to the wooden floors with leather armchairs and couches—the whole room was warm and welcoming, as were the host, Mark, and his partner AJ.

Mark convinced Dave to sample the local beer—Scotts—an Oamaru brew. Yes, he liked it. Both the dark and the lighter ales were very enjoyable. And I'd give the coffee a "10". Delicious!

We made ourselves comfy in front of this magnificent fireplace at the far end of the room and spent the next half hour or so chatting with AJ, learning about the area and this building.

This section was built using beams from the old Shacklock Factory in Dunedin.

The comfortable, mismatched, old-fashioned chairs added to the charm of the room, which was built with locally produced bricks. There were beautiful brass fittings on the wooden window frames and polished wood floors with lovely Persian style rugs scattered around.

You can read more about the Danseys Pass Coach Inn here.

The inn is right on the main road, with space for parking across the other side of the road. There's a stream down behind where we're parked with a bridge across it and some ruins off to the left. A perfect venue for a wedding—and I understand they've had two or three here.

We travelled a slightly different route back to Ranfurly, seeing more of these cliffs along the way.

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