27th June,

Thought it was about time we did an update and put some photos on it.
Our bosses left for there 5 weeks holiday on the 17th June going to Bali. We have managed all ok which John and I are pleased with.
We open the office at 8.30 and close it at 6.00pm 7 days a week.
 The 6 chickens have decided to go off the lay. ( it must be too cold for them.).The fox terrier dog named Sookie is enjoying the company and sleeping on the couch with the heater going. She follows John around on his morning checks and then in the afternoon, It's my turn to go for a walk with her. A very playfull dog. Her favourite place to sleep seems to be the top of the couch where she can see what is happening around her. Especially in the cold evening which we seem to be having at the moment. But the days have been sunny.

Part of the walk way at the Top 10 hastings

Brian our friend decided to come for a visit last weekend. It was great to see him. We decided to have a couple of hours off and go up to Te Mata  Peak which is at Havelock North. The Maori legends call is the Sleeping Giant "Te Mata O Rongokako" or the face of the Rongokako. It covers 98 hectares of land and includes much of the peak skyline which is a special future of the Hawkes Bay landscrape. You can see as far as Napier on a fine day .
There are many walking tracks suitable for all walkers. Walking time approximatel 2 hours round trip.

Legend has it that Te Mata Peak is the body of a Waimarama chief , Te Mata, Although given to warfare, Te Mata waas swayed from the his plan to attack the peaceful Heretaunga people when he saw the beauty of the Heretaunga chief's daughter.  True to storeis from any cultures, the beautiful chieftainess set Te Mata a series of difficult task to prove his worthiness, He completed all but the last  - to eat his way through the hill. Looking towards Te Mata from Hastings, the gargantuan bite that choked the chief can be seen as can his body which forms the skyline.

The highes point rises 399 metres above seal level. From the look out the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharur ranges for the western horizon the coastal hills and Kahuranaki are visible to the south, The Tutaekuri and Ngaruroro fivers flow across the plains while the Tukiutuki rivert is below the Peak.

Te Mata Trust Park is part of lands purchased fro the Crown in 1862 by John Chambers, In 1927 his sons, John Bernard and Mason gifted 98 hectares of there land to the people of Hawkes Bay. Since 1927 , thousands of native and exotic trees and shrubs have been planted throughout the park which also features fossil rich limstone cliffs and stunning vistas across Hawkes Bay . Well worth a visit when you are in  The Hawkes Bay area.  There is a restaurant on the northern edge of the park that has lovely meals they are open from Wednesday to Sunday for dinner.


Te Mata Peak look out to the south



Looking towards Hasting city from the Look out at Te Mata peak



Looking down into the Tukituki river from Te Mata Peak



Looking over the hills surrounind  Hastings



Brian and John at Te Mata Peak lookout Napier in the distance

Cliffs at the Peak

After getting cold with the wind Brian decided that we should see where the road went that we looked down on from the Peak .Off we went and after a few right and left hand turns we ended up at Ocean Beach.

Then from here we went to Waimarama Beach where we decided after a drive around the small community to stop at Jarks Coffee Bar for lunch. A lovely place to stop with a good selection of meals at reasonable prices. The place was very busy with many sunday drivers going there for a coffee.

John and Brian looking for ????

It took 25 minutes to get back to Hastings from Waimarama.  Thanks Brian for your company it was great.

10th June,

We have both settled into the Top 10 at Hasting now. We are both  learning something new. Yes we are enjoying it. The weather has been quite good plenty of sunshine. The couple that own the camp ground Isobel and Reuben are very understanding in teaching us both. We are having a few laughs along the way,which is good. Hope to see some of you up here sometime soon. Not much else to report as our heads are down and bums up.



Waterfall between Tauop and Napier at look out point



30th May,

Today is the last day for our friends Pete and Mel from England, so it was a pack up day for them and time to do some housework oursleves.  Dropped off their van at the Apollo depot then decided to go and see a couple of shopping centres to fill in the time.

Went to the Lonestar resturant for tea in Manakau. Pete wanted to have a good steak before he left for home. After seeing the  menu he decided that the chicken meal looked too good so the steak was passed. Mel and John had a rather large steak each and I had stuffed roast pork with a lovely apple sauce, yummy. If you have never been to a Lonestar resturant do go, the food is great and the price is good. Your plate sure is full up with meat and veggies. Quite a struggle to eat it all.

John and Marg      Mel and Pete

                                                                            

31st May,

Last night we parked up at a free site Western Springs ( NZMCA ) It is right next door to the Auckalnd Zoo. John and I decided it was time to re visit the zoo as it had been quite a few years when we last went there. We spent over 3 hours walking around and It was great seeing the different animals that they have there and talk to the staff .

                                                                                

                                                                            

                                                                             

From there we went to Maungaturoto and visited Steve and Heidi and stayed the night them.

From here we made our way to Whangarei via Johns country tour of Paparoa and Taipuha.

Stayed at Iwrin and Jills on Wednesday night enjoying a few gin & Tonics. Around morning tea time we made our way to Grant & Jan Harrisons. Sad to say Jan was not home. It was great being able to see Grant and sample some of his home cooking, freshly caught snapper for lunch. Thanks Grant.

We look forward to seeing you all again in September when we are back in Whangarei.
From here we went and visited our friend Robin Pennel . He has just moved to the north shore. The gps was great helping us find him otherwise it would of taken us a lot longer.

3rd June,
Made our way quietly down to Taupo were we were lucky enough to see our freinds Pete and Barbara before they took off for a weekend away in their van. Looking forward to seeing them in Hastings soon.
Then it was onto Link and Dale`s place for  fish & chips and a park over for the night.
This is where the adventure started ??
John was reversing the van to park it out of the way on there drive way when  thump the van got stuck. Heres me thinking we had hit a child bike for some wood. The bus would not move forward or back. We got out of the van and found that the drivers rear tyre had gone into a toemo hole. Apparently these are quite common in Taupo area because of the pumice. The correct name for them (toemos ngti tanawha wanted u 4 dinner), this is what Barabara said. There was a meter wide hole at the rear of our van. This is caused when pumice breaks down after a heavy rain. It can cause a rather large hole to appear under ground. Our rear tyre went into the hole and covered 3/4 of it.   John and Link dug around the rear tyre and then a neighbour came with his 4 wheel drive and pulled the bus out.
This hole went down 5 meters deep and the same or more in length along the side of the house. Christine, Dales mum was very eager to go down into the hole so Link and Sean both held onto her legs and lowered her into it. With her arms out stretched in the hole she did not touch the end.
This made Link do a bit of thinking especially with it being so close to the house.
The only damage done was to the pipe underneath the bus that holds our dump hose. A bracket broke. John is going to put the van up on blocks and check it all when we get to Hastings. A silent prayer was said in thanking that no more damage was done and we were all ok. It could of been a lot worse.

tyre resting on top of the hole



Rear of bus sitting on the ground





Bus resting on waste hose container

Entrance to toemo hole once van was removed from the top of it

Christine being lowered into the hole

Christine in hole being held by Link and Sean still not at the bottom with her arms extended

                                                                                 
4th June,
Hastings here we come. Had a lovely drive through from Taupo to and it rained off and on. Stopped to see a waterfall and as the view was pleasant it was time for lunch.
It sure is great being able to have a boil up anytime you want a cuppa.

6th June,

John took off to Wellington to collect the car from Ross and our trailer from Waikanae.
While John was away I started to quietly learn what I had to do in looking after the Hastings Top 10 .