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.