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| We headed East from Te Kaha mostly on the edge of the sea but with occasional loops inland. It started to feel quite remote, just the occasional house or group to two or three houses. Raukokore had a splendid cemetery and more driftwood on the beach than one would believe possible. | ||
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Te Araroa is the most Easterly point still on the main road. We found a park-like Motor Camp but set back 500 meters from the beach. After we settled in we went off exploring the countryside and found our way to the beach. A lovely sight with horses on the beach. A very large bay, the sun was shining and the wind was up making it very cold. The waves were pounding. Eventually at the end of the beach we found a sheltered cove where we both took photos. When we came out of the cove to walk back we were facing the wind and it felt like our skin was burning while we also got very cold, so we abandoned our walk and went home. |
| We introduced ourselves to our neighbours, which seemed very nice and friendly. One by one lots of other buses and motor homes of al kinds arrived and all it’s occupants seemed to be long to a group of 30 vehicles, travelling the East Cape together. As usual our Turbo Snail got admired and lots of travellers wanted to come and have a look. They also tried to get us to join them, but travelling with a group is not quite our thing. We watched as they assembled in a big circle for their first meeting. |  |
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the travellers represent different Christian groups and they come together
once a month for a weekend. They also arrange travel parties like this one
lasting two weeks around the East Cape. The age range is from the mid 50’s
to the mid 80’s. The average age must be 75. We were impressed with
their energy and love for life. There was a lot of laughter from the
gatherings and they are obviously all having a great time without alcohol!
We were parked on the side of the camp and every now and then another of the group would appear and start a conversation with us. Turbo is such a crowed puller. We enjoyed their stories and shared ours with them. We were invited to visit their busses and motor homes and it was all very friendly. |
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On the Saturday morning they all moved off again but not before they had another boisterous meeting. Being a considerate bunch they left the camp in twos and threes, so as not to clog up the traffic. We decided to go cycling and explore the area on our wheels. It was all flat and an easy drive. The group had told us that there was a Manuka honey factory nearby and that some of them were going to visit the factory on their way to the next camp. We took off along the road and got overtaken by the travellers. The hooted gently as they went passed and being good Christians gave us plenty of room. Then Fergus stopped to take a photo and we were on the other side of the road. So when the next group came passed as there was lots of waving and hooting going on. We cycled to the other end of the beach and took photos and then on our way home visited the factory. We got given a private tour and it was explained that making Manuka oil was an $80,000.00 a day business. Then there is the lovely café, which besides selling very nice coffee and cake, sells a large range of honey, potions creams and cleaning materials, all made out of the Manuka oil. |
| I bought some
lovely Manuka tea, a lip balm and a rose popery in a little pillow for
Turbo Snail. We enjoyed a coffee and ice cream and then set off home
again. In the late afternoon we cycled to the south end of the bay to look
at the surf. There had been a hurricane further north in the Pacific which
had missed New Zealand but 3 days on produced wonderful surf.
It was a special day for us as we have been together 18 years. We celebrated with a nice dinner outside Turbo Sail and went down memory lane. |
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On Sunday 19th February we moved on again. We stopped in Tokomaru Bay for coffee. The place seemed a bit run down and there was no fear of being run over on the street. |
| Onwards and the
road led inland and the scenery changed a great deal. The trees looked
European and there is a kind of birch tree that has silver leaves, very
pretty and makes the land look silvery. In places it looked like Surrey
and then again like the Dordogne in France. We found our next stop which
we approached by climbing a hill and then got the top with a view of a
fantastic beach with golden sand and blue sky as far as the eye can see.
We snaked our way down and booked in, again we parked very close to the
sea where I like it best. There is not much shade and so I suggested that
we should erect out tent as a sun and wind break.
TurboSnail at Anarua Bay ----> |
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After a nice lunch we went for a walk along the beach and found cars stuffed full of teenagers, slowly cursing up and down the beach. The sea was still very rough and I did not fancy my chances with these waves. On our return we erected the outer tent only and then to the amusement of the neighbours parked our bikes at the back of it giving them shade too. It has been very hot indeed, 30 degrees and you can feel the sun burning. So on with hats and sunscreen all the time, as we really do not fancy being burnt. In fact we go out in the morning and then again in the late afternoon, as it is simply too hot in the middle of the day. |
| We have been
here since Sunday and enjoyed the spot a great deal. We have explored all
of the beach.
The campsite manager said this was his lawn mower ------> |
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| In fact on Monday it was not quite so hot and slightly overcast. The waves where up to 2 meters high and pounding into the shore. Then to our amazement, the sea threw small fishes out of the water and onto the beach at our feet. Fergus was a star and rescued them all and threw them back into the sea. At one point the water seemed to come from all directions and I got confused as to where to run! We were ok but it got a bit hairy. On Tuesday and the sea is a bit calmer and on Wednesday we actually braved the sea in the late afternoon. I am getting better with coping with the waves, Fergus loves to body surf and I wonder how long it will be before we add a small surf board to our toys. | ||
| Talking about being brave, I have started to have a go at driving Turbo Snail. To start with it was totally scary but it was already much easier the next day. I do have a license but I have not driven for at least 10 years so it is a bit scary. Fergus is very patient and we only have these sessions in the back streets of very quiet towns, making absolutely sure I can not hit anything. Turbo is very easy to drive, everything is new and she responds to everything very quickly. It already feels much better and with a bit of practice I will get used to it. |
| By Thursday we had run out of food and so we left this lovely beach and travelled along the coast towards Gisborne. The next small town was Tolaga Bay, population about 600. Like most of the places along this coast it had once been accessible only via the sea. Once the road had been made the economy of the area changed. The town had an air of faded splendour. The pier had been completed just in time to be put out of business by the road and now is closed, crumbling and the locals are trying to preserve it. Reminds me of Brighton. |  |
 Esther outside the ex Council Office |
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 George & Mildred's Supermarket |
| The on towards Gisborne. |
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