Another week gone by and Christmas fast approaching. Having a great spell of fine weather with temperatures yesterday in the high 20's. Long may it last. The next problem will probably be a drought, we are already having to water each night, luckily no restrictions yet. Have put in a clock system so it will still do the watering even if we are away, great idea.

Took this pic of the cabbage tree (Cordaline) in our garden yesterday in full bloom
A busy week ahead with a friend out from England for tea tomorrow, Tues. Altrusa Christmas dinner Wed, Wine Club tasting Thursday and Caravan Club rally Friday - Sun. In between Avril has to work and I still have that list of jobs-doesn't seem to shrink!! The wine tasting is around the wines from our very own local winery only 5 minutes south of Levin. This has been a real success story as no one expected it to succeed. Check out the link http://www.ohaugravels.co.nz/

Himatangi Beach Caravan Park

Lauren had a "baby shower" here Saturday afternoon, a get together of friends to celebrate the coming event. She is coping well, looking really good and no doubt waiting impatiently for end of term, as is Avril, although for different reasons!!
The picture shows where we are having the Christmas Rally with the Caravan Club. Not far to drive only about 30kn north of here just off the main highway.

Spreading fertiliser this morning at bottom of garden

Time for another chapter from Levin. I guess the all consuming news here is the Pike River Miners trapped below ground now for nearly 4 days, still not being able to make contact or go in and find out what has happened. Terrible for families just waiting and not knowing.
Life however goes on for us, busy as usual with Avril counting down the days until she finishes work. Just been away for long weekend in van with Caravan Club but not far only 50 km to Paraparaumu half way to Wellington. It coincided with Hannah's ballet end of year concert in Wellington so we went down to watch. For a four year old who has only been doing ballet for a few weeks she did OK out on a stage with 20 or 30 other kids in front of a couple of hundred people. Lauren is in good health although getting larger by the day, 27 weeks now. Last scan confirmed they are both boys and doing well. She also will finish at end of school term, 4 weeks away-she hopes!
Had a very enjoyable few days with Wendy and Dennis (Alan Offer's sister and husband) last week showing them around  our area. They will have got tied up  with the drama of the miners down south this week. Sue and Alan both celebrated heir 80th birthdays recently, a real milestone for them, congratulations. Roger called in on way to Waikane but as Avril was sick in bed we didn't get up very early so missed him. Geof and LIz Kealey are visiting middle of Dec for  few days and will be good to catch up with them. As usual we have a number of Xmas social functions coming up, Avril's work, the wine club, travel club, Altrusa, and caravan club which will keep us out of trouble. Planning to have Christmas day at home with family and then ??? It will involve the caravan I'm sure.

HI all ,sorry got a bit lazy. Went off for two weeks in caravan during Sept school holidays so didn't have access to computer. Had a great trip in new van. Started off heading up towards New Plymouth stopping for a night only an hour up the road at Sanson as it was too windy to tow the van, in other words I got a bit nervous.
 The van is nearly 2 tonnes and at 6.5m long gets pushed around especially when the wind is across the direction of travel.
Next day we carried on in beautiful weather to Wanganui where we stopped for a night at a camping ground, meeting up as arranged with another couple from our caravan club. Moving on the next day to Waverley, an hour up the road,we wanted to try a POP (park over property). These are private places where you can stay for a night or two if you are a member of the Motorhome Association and have a self containment certificate(able to store waste). They generally do not provide any services so you have enough water on board and use battery and gas for cooking, lighting, heating, and of course satellite TV!!! It is free to stay on these properties whose owners are members of the association. Not much to do in Waverley so 1 night was plenty. Still progressing towards New Plymouth we spent a windy night at Ohawe, a small beach just north of Hawera. Facilities not very good but as we have everything on board do not need to use their kitchen, showers etc. Great spot though. The photo above was taken there.
Weather forecast was not good with a storm heading down for the north. We decided to have a go at getting through to New Plymouth, but stopping if it got too rough. We managed the wind OK but drove through some torrential rain. In the end we kept going, as the rain got heavier the wind dropped so driving wasn't as hairy.

Had planned beforehand that we would stay at a camp ground in the city, right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the harbour. Originally the plan was to stay a night and we would move on to somewhere cheaper but in the end the weather was perfect and the location brilliant so we stayed for 5 nights . Caught up with Nic and Sarah and just pottered around New Plymouth and surrounds. http://www.newplymouthnz.com/VisitingNewPlymouth/Attractions/CoastalWalkway.htm. Check out this link to see more about the walkway. This extends from the Port along the water front to the north of the city.
Don and Sandra then headed home and we moved south to meet up with two other vans from the club at a golf club just north of Hawera. This was  POP at $5 per night with water and power supplied and access 24 hours a day to toilets and showers in the club rooms across the road. Spent time up Mount Taranaki at Dawson Falls (Catherine might remember, we dropped her off here and then she did a walk and we picked her up further around the mountain.)
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/wanganui/taranaki-area/dawson-falls-short-walks/. We did a short walk and checked out the falls.
After 4 days of great weather the wind again started to build and we had a rocky night before heading home and Avril back to work.
She has at last given her notice to finish work at the Christmas, so only about 6 more week to go. She is finding it increasingly hard to go back after we have been away in the van, might have something to do with the fact that I am at home!!!
Our big news for those who haven't heard is that Lauren found out at her first scan, whilst we were away, that her baby is in  fact two babies. Both boys. All 3 doing well at last scan. In fact they are currently the same size as a single baby would be so as you can imagine she is getting rather large. Still working, looking really good but getting tired. Hoping to work through to end of term, we will see. Due in Feb I think but unlikely to go full term. She is under a specialist and will have to go up to Palmerston North Hospital for the birth as they are multiples. Mother very excited. Another good reason to give up work.
Vanessa and Logan arrived 3 days ago and have been based here whilst Vanessa  set up a Levin group of Venus, and visited one already established north of Wellington. Good catching up with those guys.
Thats all for now will make effort to get back into weekly routine.