Arapuni, Tokoroa Golf

It was such a peaceful night in the Arapuni Jubilee Reserve with just the sounds of little birds chirping on waking. It felt a very safe place to stay being nestled in a quiet housing area behind the main road. 

We definitely won't be jumping!

Jelly legs!?

After breakfast we did a kind of loop walk from the reserve, across the main road and down past the rugby ground to the Swing Bridge below the Arapuni Power station. 

1929 power station still operating. 

On crossing the bridge we walked up the private road to the dam itself, crossing it and then returning back to town down the side of the river, this path forming part of the 100km Waikato River Cycle trail.

Rhubarb in Arapuni. 

Following the sign and the rumble of our stomachs we soon found the only "shop" in town which happened to be Rhubarb, a cafe we had read good reviews about. It was already busy and, as expected, the coffee was good and the slices we shared just delicious although it had been hard to make a choice with their yummy looking selection!

More exercise now needed!!  So our GPS, Claudette, was programmed for the Tokoroa golf course where there was a Men's regional Pennants competition on when we arrived but by the time we had eaten lunch (yet more food) it was clear enough for us to tee off on No 1. We liked this country course with it's conifers, twisty willows, oak trees and it's own special challenges such as some greens being perched up high. The greens were a nice relief after The Narrows where they were like lightening. Tokeroa's were more our speed style! The fairways were quite wide and reasonably straight so it was easy to navigate our way around.

The golf course allows NZMCA members to stay for a small fee and as we had paid green fees of $25 each there was no extra charge for us to stay. We would have normally had to move on to dump our waste but because we could use their shower and toilets, which they left open all night, we could stave off having to do this for another day. The carpark is right beside SH1 and although we moved up right behind the clubhouse, once all the players had left, the traffic noise still found its way round each end of the building which meant that our sleep was about the same as normal - disturbed!
But we still appreciate being able to stay.

Saturday morning we had a leisurely breakfast and then watched the men arriving to play in their competition before taking to the road once again this time heading to the NZMCA park in Ngongataha, Rotorua. The countryside on the way was just beautiful with all the bobbly green hills and stunning autumn colours of all the deciduous trees. Almost every bend seemed to inspire another "wow" - we do live in a very beautiful  country.

Hamilton, Riverlands golf, Arapuni

After golf at Huntly we stayed the night at the Cosmopolitan Club in Hamilton - $10 a night for NZMCA members to have a space in the car park which unfortunately  is right beside the railway line so it was a rather disturbed night with 4 or 5 trains sounding like they were running over the top of us as we lay in bed. However the staff were very friendly and I had a night off cooking with us having a simple dinner in the Club. We could have had a shower there if we wanted too but didn't need one having just showered at the golf club.

The next day we headed out to The Base, a big shopping complex out Te Rapa way which we knew nothing about, not being shoppers! We just needed some chemical tablets for our loo and knew we could get them out that way at Burnsco. Well, the Base is a huge complex with plenty of shops. Our eyes were drawn to The Golf Warehouse where we each got a couple of good golf shirts at the hugely reduced price of $9.99 each. Such a bargain! We slightly impaired this big saving by me also buying a pair of trousers and a long-sleeved top and Len getting a light rain jacket, none of which were reduced but we did need them!

The friendly guy in the shop suggested we play at the Riverland  Narrows Course with it's "very fast greens" and even rang to see how busy it was that afternoon. So having started and finished our shopping it soon transpired  that we were again teeing off on a No1, this time a nice Par 3 at The Narrows just south of Hamilton. 

Our sleep spot!

It's a really nice course running along the side of the river which you can't actually see but with interesting green positions, often perched high with sloping sides. And the greens were certainly about the fastest we have ever played - very difficult when there's a slight slope on them! Also rather tricky to navigate our way around the course as it wasn't well signed.

By the time we got to about the 12th green we ended up behind a group of 6 players who we think must have been the tail end of the Men's Competition so we knew we couldn't be let through. However, Mark, a lone player who came up behind us, joined us for the last few holes which I have to say still involved lots of waiting! It started to drizzle on the 17th which was a bit of a shame as it meant we had to put slightly damp bags into our boot.
But it's a great course - a pity it won't exist any more in about 18 months as an Expressway will be running through it!
We were pleased to be able to stay the night in the carpark and although close to the main road it wasn't too noisy.

Coarse fishing with sweetcorn, maggots and worms. 

Today, Anzac Day, and another beautiful blue sky overhead, has been a quieter day with me catching up on this blog in between spending a little time at polluted Lake Ngaroto watching some Wellingtonians (formerly from England) coarse fishing, visiting the rather nice town of Te Awamutu and then travelling across the Arapuni Dam to park for the night in Jubilee Reserve which is nestled  in a liitle, quiet residential area in tiny Arapuni.

Very quiet Jubilee Reserve. 

Port Waikato, Tuakau Bridge, Huntly

From Pukekohe Showgrounds we drove out to Port Waikato, where we have never been before, intending to fish and stopping at a little reserve that runs down to the water's edge on the way. Without realising, we had parked across an almost unseeable driveway belonging to Viani who happened to be putting her rubbish on the road verge. What a lovely lady - after chatting to Len for a few minutes she soon had us invited  down to see her own well tended garden and beautifully positioned little house on the edge of the river estuary - a wonderful spot. We could see lots of little boats out in the water and people fishing from further around with Viani explaining that there was a kahawai fishing contest on the day. After strolling through her garden and the reserve next door we continued on to the black sandy surf beach which was busy being a Sunday and school holidays with surfers, quite a few swimmers - the water still being 20° - and walkers, some with their dogs.

Good rollers!

Trish on the black sand.

The fishermen all seemed to be on the estuary side and after doing a loop walk along the beach with it's steep eroding cliff- face 'sand dune' Len decided to abandon the thought of fishing and we headed back to Tuakau where we consulted our NZMCA app to help us decide where to stay. Tuakau Bridge Motorhome Park right beside the Waikato River, for $20 a night, drew our attention although, being a very new site, there were not yet any reviews on it. We backtracked along the road towards Port Waikato again only to find a locked coded gate to the site. After ringing the contact number on the app and being told that we had to check in and pay at the Tuakau Hotel we were once again on the same road back into town!

However it was soon sorted and we were on our way again.There was already one motorhome parked at the site and another had driven in just before us making 3. 

Tidy parking zones with river views. 

A pristine camp with power and water, allotted gravel parking spaces between new little hedges and each site with its own table. There are also 3 separate units available for rent. 

Please be interested in my spinner!

Although right by the main road it is also right beside the river which meant that the next morning Len could try some spinning - no catches but he could see some biggish koi carp that looked a little interested - not exactly what we would want for dinner though!

The evening we arrived we enjoyed a Happy Hour with Mel who works at a chicken farm and John, Marlene & Katie from Blenheim with Len rather liking the sample he had of John's home brewed whisky. It might have given him an idea even!

Monday morning golf was calling again so after trying his hand again at fishing we moved on to the Huntly Golf Club where you can stay for $5 a night. We were welcomed by the very chatty manager and, being a bit tired, decided to play the next morning rather than straightaway. This decision was helped by the fact that being a Public Holiday it would have cost us  $30 each to play instead of $15 each the next day - a bit crazy as it was very quiet both days. A large bus and a motorhome joined us in the carpark after dark and they both moved on fairly early in the morning so we were again by ourselves until 2 other cars arrived with golfers. And that was it!

Is it safe to be driving!?

Being in the Waikato it was still very foggy when we teed off - very difficult to see where the fairway went so it was a bit difficult until we got to about the 8th hole! It was a nice course to play though with it's usually straight but humpy fairways, faiway bunkers, trees and barely any rough to get into trouble in. 

Part of the course runs alongside the Waikato River and the Te Araroa trail follows the edge of the course here. We found the greens to be in pretty good condition so although my golf is poor right now I can't blame them! Len is continuing to play very well.

Clarks Beach, Waiuku, Hamilton's Gap, Pukekohe Showgrounds

After a week in Auckland helping out a bit with house renovations we headed south west  to Clark's Beach, particularly the golf course which we had heard good things about. We were not disappointed - it's a fabulous picturesque, well-cared for course with interesting features on every fairway including pools, water views over the Manukau Harbour on all sides, a fountain plus plenty of bunkers. It was a beautiful sunny day and we really enjoyed playing on it. 

One of the prettiest (golf courses)!

They even 'turned a blind eye' to us staying in the carpark for the night which we appreciated.

Pensive model pose!

After our round of golf we did a big loop walk around the harbour to the motorcamp and through the residential streets to the tiny village with it's restaurant, takeaways, liquor store and dairy where we treated ourselves to an icecream it being a little early for the temptation of fish and chips.

The next morning we decided to play golf again, this time at the Waiuku Course where a very friendly lady greeted us and gave us a good deal to play seeing the greens had just been cored.  

A bold shot from "peanut"!

We had been spoilt by the great condition of the course at Clark's Beach but still enjoyed playing here on the treelined fairways which we found had quite a good run though of course the greens were slow. It was a little frustrating to be behind a couple of slow lads whose balls were flying everywhere giving us long long waits. They finally let us past on the 8th hole.

From Waiuku we drove out to Hamilton's Gap on the coast, a free parking area that, according to comments on our NZMCA app always seemed to be a very quiet spot with just one or 2 vans, right by the beach. Well, we did get a surprise to find a whole village camping there, with both vehicles and tents, when we arrived about 5.00pm on Good Friday! 

View towards Hamilton's Gap.

We only just managed to squeeze into a space near the very rutted entry. The night was quiet though with just the faint sound of the sea.

I hope you're not reading fish recipes!

The following morning we took the fishing rod through the 'camp' and the liitle stream to the beach, with it's very black west coast sand,  to join a couple of other fishermen. No luck for any of us though so after a couple of hours it was time to have lunch and drive back to Waiuku as we needed to dump our waste even though it would have been nice to stay another night alongside all the families enjoying the long Easter weekend.

We spent the night at the Pukekohe Showgrounds with a couple of other motorhomers - a nice peaceful spot despite the odd train rumbling close by through the night! 

Note the flying car (centre picture).

As we were driving out in the morning we stopped for a liitle while, just along the road, to watch the model racing car enthusiasts competing on their amazingly well set up circuit, complete with a grandstand, wicked corners and challenging jumps! I think Len really wanted to join in!

Tauranga, Mount Maunganui & Auckland

Tauranga and the Mount were my "stomping grounds" for nearly 50 years and being only an hour away from our present home in Whakatane it's always great, and easy, to return to catch up with family and friends. Arriving back there on the 4th April we spent our first 2 nights parked near the airport, the next 2 on the front lawn over the road from our friends Sue & Pete's house in Tauranga 

Sunrise at the Mount. 

A familiar view from the Mount. 

and the next 3 in the Mount Campground which we always love and gives us no excuse not to climb the Mount, walk around it and have a swim in the sea, managing to do all 3. Apart from lots of socialising along with drinking and eating too much. We also managed to get our bus sink tap replaced again. It was only put in last September  but quickly developed a leak along the seam, just like the one it replaced. Let's hope this one lasts longer than a few weeks!

Thursday 11th we left Tauranga for Auckland to catch up with Dave, my younger son, Christine and their 2 awesome boys of 4 and 2 - such good ages. We parked outside their house renovation project and enjoyed helping out for a week with sanding, filling and covering windows etc ready for spray painting. Good to be able to give a helping hand.

Dinner with the Auckland family. 

Both tots at rugby tots. 

Also great to spend some time with the boys and watch them enjoying rugby tots!

Waikite Valley, Murupara, Whakatane.

Oh my - it's been nearly 4 weeks since I updated this blog so it is rapidly becoming a distant memory, hence there is likely to be little detail but hopefully enough to remind us where we have been! We had some great photos of the Waikite Valley golf course and hot pools but unfortunately they were accidentally deleted before being fully uploaded.

The 9 hole Waikite Valley golf course rises from directly over the road from the Hot Pools Campground, the driveway to the clubhouse being up a steep rise indicating the probable lie of the course with it's ups, downs and sideways fairways, complete with fenced greens to keep the battle-scarred sheep off. Hard to tell the fairways from the rough of which there was plenty - not often one to lose a ball I lost 3 on the first 4 holes. The worst part though was the copious sheep poo which we spent about half an hour trying to clear from our trundler wheels before putting them back in the bus. It must be so difficult to keep these little country courses going with very limited money and few volunteers - we were lucky to experience it while it is still open though I think it's the first time we haven't played 18 holes on a nine hole course - it was exhausting in the heat and with all the lost balls took us well over 2 hours. Needless to say we were the only ones there until a lone man arrived shortly before we left.

We then booked into the Waikite Valley Hotpools Campground, a busy, rather squashed little site but with the use of the nice relaxing hot pools included in the price. They have a nice bushy walk up the edge of the stream to the hot spring source which gives out the largest volume of hot spring water in the country. We thoroughly enjoyed our relaxing soak in the pools on arrival and slept well, for us, that night. Of course we just had to have another one before we set off in the morning for the Murupara golf course.

Murupara is the course we joined this year whilst on the road with it's much cheaper annual fee than Whakatane. Plus we like to think that every little bit helps a struggling club. I'm probably repeating myself from when we played there last time but, although it has the potential to be beautiful, it hasn't improved in that time with the fairways being rough and the grass long. It's very difficult too for short hitters like me with there being so many 'forested' hazard areas placed before the greens! Yet more balls lost! We were joined after a few holes by a 14 year old lad who has the potential to be a good golfer and it was good to have his company. 

Being Saturday it was club day at the course and although there were only 9 players that we could see we ended up behind a group of 5 after the first 7 holes so play became very slow. By the 14th Len and I decided to call it a day especially as neither of us were playing particularly well.

From there we headed on to Whakatane, needing to return to collect mail and paperwork in order to collate end of year accounts particularly for a Trust that Len helps to administer. We stopped alongside Lake Aniwhenua, an awesome overnight  free parking spot, just for a coffee in the way through. Our first night in Whakatane, Saturday 30th March, was spent in the McAlister Street carpark and the following 4 nights at Bill & Annette's lovely quiet POP in Aerodrome Rd close to the Whakatane Golf Course.

It was great to see and catch up with friends in Whakatane & Ohope while we were there and also had time for a complementary game of golf plus our flu injections. Unfortunately I am still waiting for my dentist's appointment to fix my 2 very broken teeth. He couldn't fit me in until the 29th April!

Marton, Waiouru, Waimarino Golf

There was only two other cars at the Marton Golf Club when we arrived and the occupants were nowhere in sight so there were no hold-ups on our way round. Only $15 each to play on a Monday so we struck the right day! We always enjoy playing this lovely, interesting tree-lined course which is still in good condition with greenish fairways but no wet areas and reasonably kind greens!

After our 18 holes it was getting towards dinner time so we drove straight to the NZMCA park in Marton knowing that it fills up very quickly and not wanting to miss out on a spot although there were still 3 or 4 spaces to choose from when we did get there, these being filled soon after.

Me and a Turner trio!

It was great to catch up with my brothers and other close family over the next 2 days, parking outside Robin (Bob) & Judys the next night and enjoying dinner and lunch there with lots of their family including Peter & Margaret.

After lunch on Wednesday we drove to the Waiouru War Museum where self contained vehicles can park behind overnight - a great spot and surprisingly very quiet with being at the back of the building. Only 4 other motorhomes there. 

Coffee at the Red Bus cafe!

It was great to have our friends, Jan & Doug, who were heading down for a months holiday in the South Island, stop by for a coffee with us the next morning as they passed through Waiouru - lots of catching up to do as we hadn't seen them for 5 months.

Once they were on their way again we decided to take the back road past the mountains going through Ohakune first and then stopping at the Waimarino Golf course, where we haven't played before, for 18 holes - a nice setting with the mountains around, conifers and some evergreens and it's own little micro-climate with the fairways and greens being in good condition. 

It was the clubs last twilight competition for the season but they didn't start teeing off until after we came in. Very friendly locals who invited us to join them for both golf and dinner but we were a bit too tired to take up the offer. Because they have a "play and stay" system we stayed the night, alongside 2 other vans who would have paid $20 a van as they weren't playing golf. Having paid $60 for the 2 of us to play 18 holes we really appreciate being able to stay and have a shower without paying any extra.

Again, we had a nice, quiet undisturbed night setting off the next morning to the Waiketi Valley Hot Pools Campground which Jan & Doug had recommended we go to.