Where to camp, that was the question?

 18th November

The Zoom went ahead and funny how getting the correct day allows one to join the meeting! A slight hitch with the internet as this show grounds Wi-Fi site only allows 550 MB, which was used up halfway through. We did debate whether to call it a day, but no, thought better of it and connected to our Spark Wi-Fi for the remainder of the meeting.

Our Chairman Norman and wife Shirley

Driving North today, a must-see pier at Tolaga Bay Wharf. At 660 metres in length, the pier is the longest in New Zealand. It was built between 1926 and 1929 so ships could unload in all tide conditions. A brief history HERE 

But first we passed a Liquid Laundromats. These laundrettes are all over NZ and unmanned but open 24/7. A card is purchased for $1 and then can be loaded with as much money as you want from a card reader. With the cost of a wash from as little as $4 to $10 for a very large machine, this would solve our having to go into a proper site. Now if only we could find an app to show where public showers were........

Again the car park was almost deserted. Summer holidays have not yet started, so I expect we won't be getting the luxury of having places to ourselves any more. A convenient food van was nearby. Only selling pizza and curly fries, and as it was now midday, seemed rude not to spend some of our money on helping the locals out. Very nice the meat feast pizza was, too.

 

Off for the walk along the pier, 30 minutes they reckon to walk to the end and back, we took a lot longer. Stood at the end taking in the refreshing sea breeze and admiring the view.

Just a stone's throw from the car park was another walk. Cook's Cove was a 5.5 km hike which would take about 2.5 hours return. Unfortunately at the start of the track was a notice to say due to a bridge repair, the walk terminates at the lookout. Suited me, today I felt more than just a twinge in the knee. I have a horrible feeling I pulled a muscle at the back of the knee because not only is it very stiff but any sort of stretching causes waves of agony down the back of my thigh and shin. I'm hoping it's not sciatica!  Anyway lots of steps leading up, part way and I felt a need for my poles. Ian, bless him, went back down and got them for me. (note to oneself, must remember to take poles on EVERY walk!) It was a tough climb to the Beacon of light. Good views from here and a convenient table and chair to rest my weary body. As I refused to go any further, Ian walked on leaving me basking in the afternoon sun. 10 minutes later he was back. The path stretched endlessly in front and not knowing quite how far to the lookout, turned back not wanting to leave me on my own for too long.

Beacon of Light

Now for the descent! Thank goodness for the poles! Even Ian commented that I was better with them than without. Wasn't reliant on his helping hand every time there was a large step to go down. Took slightly longer than the ascent but got to the bottom without too much pain. The time was also getting on so with Ian having found a place called Tokomaru Bay about 35 km away and free camping was permitted we made for that. Imagine our dismay when arriving at an almost deserted township that the 'Camping Grounds Closed on every post along the ocean front. Everywhere looked unloved and run down apart from some Batches (small cabins) further along the coast road.  Oh 'eck....now what do we do? Ian searched again on every app he had but nothing turned up. Two choices...go back 40 km to where we knew free camping was allowed or keep going North to Te Araroa where there was an NZMCA site. A small fee was required here and no facilities at all but when needs must (and we do have a porta potti) we chose to continue North with another 79 km to do.

How many of us in the UK have moaned about the state of potholes? Nearly everyone that drives a vehicle or rides a bike I expect. Well you all need to come to State Highway 35. The road was terrible. All that rain this year has damaged the road to such an extent that extreme care had to be taken at all times. No way would I want to drive this road in the dark! This taken from STUFF on July 21st this year.

 SH35 remains closed. SH35 is also closed due to a large washout west of Motu River bridge and other parts of the highway are under one lane or speed restrictions to other instances of washout or slip damage.

 To say the journey to Te Araroa was long and slow was not an understatement. Took what seemed like hours. Here are some of the photos taken along that route.

 

Not only the damaged roads to contend with. Torrential rain and a loose bullock as well.

 Very relieved to arrive at Te Araroa after 90 minutes. A locked gate needing a code greeted us but thankfully Ian had phoned the NZMCA first and the number given. Not long after arrival the heavens opened, the wind picked up and being so exposed here, every gust made the Toy rock! It did die down eventually and very nice it was too to put the top-up.

And wildlife

This on the handrail Tolaga Bay Wharf.