Paihia to Kerikeri

On Saturday morning we discovered why there had been so many people milling around in Paihia town as we passed through after golf and why there were so many motorhomes parked in the $1 an hour overnight parking area. It was the weekend for the annual Country Rock festival and on Saturday morning the town was humming with visitors and Country & light Rock entertainers lining the streets, some of the bands and soloists being really good. So we had a lovely morning strolling the streets in the sunshine being entertained! For once we had our timing right for an event - usually we arrive somewhere to find that we have just missed something.

Larger than life great violinist!

It had clouded over and showers were imminent by the time we arrived in Kerikeri and we just happened to be walking past the movie theatre at the same time as the film 'Song For Marion' was starting so in we went. We loved this movie even though the male character was a bit annoying at first - funny bits as well a lot of tear-jerking moments so you need your hanky! I'd say it's a must see.
We stayed the night along the road at the RSA where there were about 4 other motorhomes already parked up - we stayed here again last night and there were about 10! Still a bit of room left for the real RSA members luckily. A lot of them seemed to be friends and had arranged to meet up here. Len is having a chat with some of them now to pick up some tips about where to go further North as we keep being advised about how careful we have to be for our safety with lots of unemployed 'have-nots' about and the Maoris fighting inter-tribally.
Yesterday morning (Sunday and Mother's Day) after getting lovely messages from my children we walked to the Kerikeri Sunday market where there were a few tempting crafty things but I managed to stay strong and stick to the fresh fruit, veges and bread that we had gone for. It was another beautiful day and so we headed for the Golf Course to see what was on - no-one was answering the phone and when we got there a few people were still waiting around for the Pro Shop to open. The course itself seemed quiet so we decided to just head straight on out which was a good move as we missed the later rush. A bad first 9 for me with a better second nine with Len being the other way round. However we loved the course - the fairways and greens were in good condition and the course is well designed - a few hilly fairways but then some flatter ones between to recover, some ponds and lots of bunkers. It was threatening to rain once we got to the 16th but we managed to finish and still be dry until we had our nice shower afterwards.

We then drove out to wander through the old Stone Store and see the Kemp House which happened to be closed by then but we have visited it before - it was a good reminder for Len though as to what it looked like from the outside as one can forget