Riders on the storm.

We recently got a warrant for the caravan and a few effects of aging were pointed out to us. Then our trip to Hastings highlighted a few more. So we made an appointment at Country Caravans in Mt Maunganui. Our original intention was to leave on Monday morning, but the weather forecast was so grim we decided to leave on Sunday and have a night in Ohiwa. We could see the dark clouds ahead of us all the way, but got set-up before the first of the gusty showers. Later on we could go for a walk - the ground was very damp underfoot.

Looking forward to a surf!

The swimming pool is going right next to Todd and Nolas

They've cut back quite a few of the trees at the front of our sight as the wind this year had damaged quite a few. Duncan is pointing out our very own rat trap with his umbrella.

 Our -usually - rechargeable battery in the caravan was slowly fading and we had to watch the finale of the Block on the laptop. We didn't have much in the way of lighting and no radio. Then the weather really packed up. The wind giggled the caravan all night long, except about midnight it all went quiet for a short period. Then the surf started to roar. It was quite hard to get a decent sleep!! We wondered what we were in for next day, but our trip through was OK and we left the caravan to let them see what we needed to do. We went for a walk around the mount - and saw Lianne Summerfield, a former employee of Duncan's who is an Optical Dispenser in Tauranga. After a swim in the Hot Pools we met up with Lianne for lunch.

Looking across the bar to Matakana

Looking out to sea, surfside.

 On returning to the caravan place they said they needed to keep the caravan for a while, so we headed off back home as we both had meetings on the Tuesday night. Duncan had a case of poor communication/bullying at the golf club, while I had a meeting at Supergrans. I am on the goverance side rather than the helping side. Mainly the tasks they do are not as important as the talking they do while they are baking or whatever, and the 3 employees are social workers.

So it was an early start on Wednesday when we went back to pick up the caravan - a long round trip in one day. We had quite a hefty repair bill, but asked for a valuation, (about what we'd expected) and had a look at some new caravans. This came to an abrupt halt when the sales lady said, "I've got to be honest with you - you'd struggle to tow a new caravan with the car you've got. You'll need something gruntier"
Very tiring day but a great day to travel on with blue skies ahead of us and Thunderous Black skies all around .

Lunch at Matata

Wetlands

Both a bit exhausted on Thurday, but it didn't stop Duncan getting two twos (birdies) at golf and thus getting  vouchers to the value of $250!!! We will mainly use this to buy meat.

....and Hastings Happenings

It was a leisurely pack up at Taupo  Tuesday, 5th September, as our neighbours are chatty campers. The sky is brilliantly blue and all the snow caps are glistening. As we drove down the Napier Taupo Rd a mysterious golden mist of pollen hung over the forests. My nose was twitching like Tabitha in Bewitched!
Our set up at Bridge Pa golf course is very picturesque - filled with birdsong and the occasional shout of "Fore!"

Dappled sunlight in the early evening

View from caravan

 We went in to see Fred and Leigh who attended to our optometrical needs and then went and had dinner with them. But we couldn't stay too late as Duncan had an early start in the morning.
He was refereeing the under 19 National Stoke Play Championship along with the Hawkes Bay referees. Over 150 young people had entered. What a smartly turned out bunch they were. I think Duncan had more trouble with the mothers questioning his rulings that the players! In the afternoon we went around a few wineries - and of course to a chemist to get some hayfever treatment. On Thursday he was off again very early but after they made the cut (down to 64 players) they had enough referees for the friday so we went home on Thursday afternoon.
I was feeling very stuffed up by Friday and even Duncan was sneezing and blowing his nose. But the days are lengthening and there is plenty to do outside, finishing the shed, checking on the trees, and gardening.

Hamilton Happenings

We left on Friday 1st September to head to Hamilton to catch up with Simon and Jackie. It was an uneventful  and pleasant trip and we dodged all the heavy showers. After we got ourselves set up in the caravan at the Hamilton Holiday Park we headed around to Nixon Street. Claudia seemed very interested in the clothes I had bought her - she is such a little sweetie and Theo, as usual was pleased to see us.

Straight into the selfies

Is that really me??

Look there's Grandma - she knitted me a nice warm cardi

Just admire that fairisle!

 It was our job to babysit while Jackie and Simon went out for dinner. Unfortunately I didn't know that, unlike Theo, she sleeps with her light off. Every time I got her settled and tried to tiptoe out of the room she got up again! Eventually I lay down on the spare bed and in about half an hour she was in a deep sleep so I could tiptoe out.

Ready for a night out with friends.

 Theo is just starting to earn pocket money.(Maybe this is why he was so good during our visit!) When Jackie and Simon were ready to leave for dinner he said to Simon "Daddy, do you need some of my money to take Mummy out?"

Next morning we headed to Hayes Common for Lunch - a cafe which I had heard several good reviews about - for brunch . The food was very good, but not the "usual"

And this is my picture - colouring in at Hayes Common.

My pancake was a crepe with grated apple, custard, swirls of Nutella and mascarpone.

 We took Theo back to caravan after this and played a little bit outside. We played catch the High Ball. "Keep your eye on the ball" I told Theo, and later he rejoined with "I think you'll have to practise your running Grandma" We played connect four, guess who, fast scrabble, and an adapted game of boggle.

Back at Nixon the tennis rackets came out. Claudia managed to escape flying balls. Notice the new fence that they have had built. Adds great value to the place as they had a scruffy hedge, and a few wires and posts here before.

"I've got this one!"

 We had Indian takeaways for tea.
Next morning we went round a bit later so that Simon could have a lie in on Fathers' Day, however Claudia had not slept well and seemed very sneezy.  Theo had swimming but we didn't go this time. After lunch we went to see Barry and Liz who are both in fine form - doing a bit of renovating in light of the probable downsizing as they get older.
Simon had prepared a beautiful roast chicken dinner, with roast potatoes and kumara, brocolli with cheese sauce and gravy to suit. We said our goodbyes as we hoped to get away on Monday morning.
It was a great surprise to hear that Lego sales had gone down - when you see the large quantities that have made their way into Nixon Street. Theo used his pocket money to buy another set.

We managed to find a few coins to add to the pocket Money jar. Denomination is not of great importance as yet.