Begin at the beginning they say but for this post I’m beginning at the end. We were home, the first load of washing in the machine, our dog still running about the place with excitement and a dash of relief at our return, and I had a cup […]
Completing our Loop the Loop of the Central North Island It was a cracker day for the last of our holiday. A slight frost, steam rising from the hillsides as the sun warmed the paddocks, not a breath of wind – Joni Mitchell on the playlist, the road […]
Opunaki to Te Kuiti: The story of a remarkable sales pitch and how there is always room for one more custard square. The small town of Piopio is about twenty-seven kilometres from Te Kuiti. What Piopio lacks in population (Wikipedia says 468 people lived there in 2001) it […]
All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait! Today has been all about the volcano. Taranaki finally revealed himself and I am enchanted. These are the best four of the 100+ photos I took with my iPhone today.
Stratford to Opunaki: A History Lesson and a Little Bit of Lit to Boot! We travelled a long way today: thirty-six kilometres. At this rate we’ll have to extend our holiday by another week.The good news is that the weather on this side of Mt Taranaki is warmer […]
Leaving the Forgotten World Highway turns out to be a culture shock. This morning I was woken by the sound of a rooster crowing. The last time that happened was in Nong Khai – a year and half ago! It’s quiet at Whangamomona. The word means valley of […]
The Forgotten World Highway: Taumarunui to Whangamomona Highway 43 takes you through heartland New Zealand. It’s remote. There’s no petrol station, no shops. We allowed ourselves a day and a half for a drive that, without stops, should take around two and half hours. Kilometres travelled: 87 Time […]
In which the shearing capital of the world is bypassed and pride goes before a fall. Te Kuiti didn’t get much of a look-in today. We filled up there, petrol tank as well as stomachs, and moved on. The day was all about the Waitomo Caves. They are […]
The Gumboot Capital of The World to the Shearing Capital of The World via the Desert Road. That was the plan. Except we didn’t get as far as Te Kuiti. We got a bit distracted. And what distracted us was the iconic volcanoes, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe; the two […]
Day One : Art Deco To Gumboot Capital of the World. Instead of going troppo we’ve gone over The Annie to the Gumboot Capital of The World. Why? Because we can. Because it’s off the beaten track. And, most importantly, it’s a road like no other. And […]
Jill's Scene 
The korero