Adrian's Blog

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.