Wairoa

As soon as we arrived at the Wairoa Riverside Motor Camp, chosen because we can plug our heater in and also they are on "Campsaver" for NZMCA members which gives us a winter rate of only $20 a night,

Artwork created at Waikaremoana!

we got to work trying to clean all the gritty dust off the bus - quite a mission! Then we ambled our way around the town to familiarise ourselves with the area, not having been here before. The campground is on the fenced river edge, very close to town and next door to the swimming pool where I would have gone before leaving this morning if I'd got up early enough!

Wairoa Motor Camp. 

Serene and chilly at dusk. 

The town looks quite depressed but the setting is pretty with the river, cycle and walkway across the road from the shops. We crossed over the bridge and were soon at the fish & chip shop where we bought our dinner to take back to the bus. They were quite good and it made an easy night. Another cold night, but yet another beautiful day today. We have been so spoilt with the weather.

On leaving the camp we headed back the way we came for a few minutes to play golf at the Wairoa golf course. 

T takes on the first downhill. 

On arriving we were the only ones there but by the time we had  completed the very challenging 18 holes there were a couple of other vehicles in the small car park. Well, what a course it was! 

T takes on a gully!

Not for the faint-hearted or beginner with it's numerous deep gullies and hills and impossible for anyone to think of using a cart with all the steep slopes. There were 4 par 3s on the second 9 which normally would make me very happy but oh dear - the gullies take away the magic! Len incidentally played quite well but I took more shots in my game than I have for a few years with so many balls rolling down the sides of gullies. However I kept relaxed and am pleased I managed to play it but know that I will never ever ever play it again!

A quiet night at the seaside!

We are now parked in a free overnight parking area, along with about 4 tourist vehicles, next to the sea at Oputama Beach Reserve on the Mahia Peninsula. It will be so good to listen to the waves and let them hopefully lull us to sleep which we are going to do right now!