sitting in a beautiful spot just outside Opotiki.Finally headed off this morning much to the relief of Paul and Lisa,SORRY GUYS.LOL.We drove out of the Mount after chatting to a couple from Ruakaka and looking at there bus which was at least 10times larger than ours.Stopped off in Whakatane to see Shanes aunty Jenny and cousin Sandra and went out to the Heads,it was wild and rockin out there.
Headeded off early afternoon and decided to stop in Opotiki.just outside on the beach front.Its absolutely beautiful and wild and the campsite is near empty other than a few Samoan kiwifruit pickers.We have had pasta for tea and after taking Elvis to the beach for a walk he has a belly full of pasta and is officially stuffed.SO CUTE.
We are sitting in the van trying to get the internet working and listening to natures Best.How Bizarre......................
Really feel like the adventure is about to start and doesnt feel like we are cheating anymore.i am gonna have a shower and put my PJs on and veg out with a book.Work,whats that?
Love to all
Suss Shane and Elvis tooxxxxx


22nd June 2010

Well am I not the Greatest at keeping the Blog up to date................................
OK maybe not.So where do I start.
Well We headed off from Lisa and Pauls on Queens birthday and headed over to Opotiki .Next day we landed in Rotorua.Spent the day walking round the lake with Elvis and then sorting out the wireless internet which was playing up.Spent the night at a Motorcamp on the Old Taupo Road which turned out to be 2 mins walk from our lovely friend Woz who met up with us and we decided on a plan to stay a couple of days and meet up with Shanes Aunty Maire and his Cousin Cherry and her hubby HP.So after a morning dip in the naturally heated Spa Pool we headed out to a park for the day and then then spent the night with Cherry ,HP and there son Simon.We had a fantastic evening catching up with them in there glorious new home overlooking the sparkling city of Rotovegas.We slept in the van so no cheating,but there new home is to die for ,with an amazing "Industrial styled" kitchen in a 70s retro feel.We LOVE you guys XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Next morning we caught up with aunty Maire who I have to say is not only one of the most interesting and warm people I have met ,but if you could epitomise "Spunky and Gutsy "she is it!!!!!
We could have spent days with Maire but we had plans to collect WOZ and head off on the road again...........
So ladened with peanut biscuits and big cuddles we headed out of town now in a crew of 4.

So off we went heading down to Wairaki and into Huka falls .Visited Wairaki thermal power Station and had a drive out to the lookout ,Shane and Woz in there elements and then a local guy told us about Reids Farm a local camping groungd .we holed up for the night there..quite cold but good fun .I managed to prepare a splendid sausage and mash dish and we all slept well.Up relatively early next day and into Taupo to get a new gas bottle for ther van.The old one being 10yrs out of date.WTF.
Woz wentr mad on supplies and armed with mountains of Jim Beam/Coke and Shots we headed out to "The Desert Road"and spent the night off road,in the wilderness drinking and laughing and having a few games of cards.elvis let loose and was totally in his element rolling around in shite!!!and following Shane and Woz like the good little boy that he is.We notice a change in obedience on a daily basis.He is such a pleasure to travel with and keeps us entertained on a regular basis.Give him a bone to chew and he will spend hours trying to bury it under the squabs in the van or his blankets.Its hysterical.I will video him doing it at some point.

Next morning off to Waiouru army museum which was really impressive.woz caught the bus back to Rotovegas at midday and then we headed off on a wild goose chase to National Park.Unfortunately it turned outr that there were no powered sites there so we ended up driving for ages and decided on a place outside wanganui called Turakina Beach.A hidden Gem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ended up staying there 3 nights in a tiny campsite.Powered and free showers and washing machine all for $10 a night.Awesome.Weather not brilliant but made up for it by veging out.Slept one day until 2pm when we were rudely awoken by a phone call from a friend Jan who was ringing to invite us over to her home town of Foxton to catch up.Elvis spent 3 days running up and down the Beach and catching driftwood......pig in s%^t springs to mind..............

So off again with fully charged batteries both physically and literally.Next stop Paihiatua for the night via the Manuwatu Gorge and woodville........Yummy mummys cheesecake shop was a find and a half.we had stopped in palmerston North at the I-Site and spotted that little gem.Ladened with 2 cheesecakes and a caramel slice and Cherry Ripe Slice we headed in search of the windfarm.Not hard to find as it dominates the skyline around the area.impressive but UGLY !!!!!!!!!!!!
Spent the night in Paihiatua and then the next morning Shane got up real early to prepare himself for the Ladies at "TUI HQ ",whre we did the tour ,had lunch and Shane took a few pics.If your in the area its such a cool thing to do $15 well spent .Really entertaining and a great free handle to boot and 3 Beers.Really awesome.

Onwards and upwards ,we headed over to Levin and got lost ,suddenly finding ourselves in Danniverke,Bloody hell Viking Heaven .LOL.So back on track we stayed the night outside Levin in a DOC Reserve ,Really remote and off the beaten track.HARDCORE Camping....................

So hooked up with Jan and adrian in Foxton.spent the night pluggedin at Jans fathers house,which was just stunning.He has an amazing conservatory !!!!!!!!!!! well industrial sized greenhouse with swimming pool and spa pool.NICE .Spent the night by the fire................Cheating again...........LOL.
Next morning into Foxton where Shane managed to spend 3hrs at Foxton Local radio Station and Tram and Bus Museum.We went up the windmill and Elvis had an hour and a half walk along the beach.Foxton Beach is absolutely Stunning i have to say.we made friends and everyone was really friendly.Shane and Elvis have given it a huge thunbs up much to Jans HORROR LOL..............not really.
Jans Shed is coming on really well.She left hospice about a week or so ago and has scored a great job in Palmy North Hospital.It was incredibkly lovely to see Jan ,Adrian and meet Neil her son and her family .we were sad to leave i have to say..it was the best beach and whern Elvis woke up to it on saturday morning hew was really excited.had 3hrs roaming around the beach and slept the resat of the day.
headed off next to featherston/Martinborough and spent the night at a remote POP stop,Thats park over property.It was on Lake wairapa,really beautiful.The people who own the gardens were away but luckily there son Alan was there and he was a toptalgem,came hooning down ther road to save us when we missed it and sat and let Elvis smooch him late into ther evening ,being cute and sweet.That dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We drove over to Ngawi,a tiny fishing village out on the way to cape palliser.The fishermen have adapted the beach with bulldozers to launch and drag there Boats up onto and off the beach,its a really unusual site.weather was horrid unfortunately so we scrapped thew idea toi go to the lighthouse .we did drive over the pinnacles though whuich was stunning,then on to lake Ferry for the night,well afternoon and night.Really beautiful tiny village,stayed the night in a motor camp which was deserted,and that was fun .Met the Local Vicar from Featherston who was delightful and he said he will say prayers for our safe journey and an enjoyable time.