Wednesday, 27 October 2010
North Island
Helensville: Picked up campervan at airport - a new experience for us both and headed out of Auckland. A bit hairy at first, felt like driving a bus. This thing is big. Decided not to drive too far on first day - an hour just the job up to little village on West Coast. We are real novices at this campervaning lark, but meet NZ pair Steve and Ian and their wives and they put us right on a few basics (what to do with your waste for one - use the dump station!). Campground has thermal pools - outdoor one 32C, indoor 39.5C. Chilled out, but hot at same time, if you get our drift.
Waipou Forest. One of the highlights of North West Coast is this kauri tree forest. These trees are mighty indeed. One known as The God of the Forest, the other The Father of the Forest. 'God' has been around 2,000 years and is a pretty awe-inspiring sight. Also went on guided night-time nature walk in forest (John did this under protest, but secretly enjoyed it) and saw gloworms, Kauri snails (big, big, very big), large eels, possums and some very hairy and scary spiders. Elusive Kiwi, however, failed to make appearance.
On way to forest stopped at little roadside cafe. So good was the coffee that we left our rucksack, containing passports, money and air travel tickets, behind. Some 40 minutes away and several miles on, Chris realises what we have done. Luckily there is an into information centre close by. We call in - and they save day by calling cafe, who confirm bag is safe and sound. Phew! Close call and a lesson learned. On way back see road sign for Brynderwyn among more traditional Maori names. Can't possibly be a Welshman who named village, can it?
Waipou Forest. One of the highlights of North West Coast is this kauri tree forest. These trees are mighty indeed. One known as The God of the Forest, the other The Father of the Forest. 'God' has been around 2,000 years and is a pretty awe-inspiring sight. Also went on guided night-time nature walk in forest (John did this under protest, but secretly enjoyed it) and saw gloworms, Kauri snails (big, big, very big), large eels, possums and some very hairy and scary spiders. Elusive Kiwi, however, failed to make appearance.
On way to forest stopped at little roadside cafe. So good was the coffee that we left our rucksack, containing passports, money and air travel tickets, behind. Some 40 minutes away and several miles on, Chris realises what we have done. Luckily there is an into information centre close by. We call in - and they save day by calling cafe, who confirm bag is safe and sound. Phew! Close call and a lesson learned. On way back see road sign for Brynderwyn among more traditional Maori names. Can't possibly be a Welshman who named village, can it?
Auckland
Never did get around to seeing Eden Park, although Auckland were home to Otago in ITM Cup. Too much to see and too many bars to check out on city's waterfront. (If you are coming over for World Cup be ready to fork out big bucks for food and drink - cheap it ain't). Expensive it might be, but Auckland is a good looking place with two magnificent harbours filled with ships and boats of all descriptions and sizes. Not for nothing is it called the City of Sails. By the way NZ really is ready for the World Cup - honest. Look for picture on blog of one of the many adverts for rugby's biggest global event. Girl on left is hanging up Wales shirt. Let's hope our boys won't be hung out to dry.
New Zealand - North Island
Quick update - for those looking for Fiji narrative, please click on to 'Older Blogs.' Thanks, everyone.
Arrived in New Zealand to find that they are some way off getting their grounds in shape for the Rugby World Cup 2011. See pictures above! Shocked to find main stand at one club looking in need of a bit of repair and a lick of paint. Scratched our heads to find any hospitality tents or even a bar area for few sherberts, and the playing surface looked a tad dodgy too. Hope Auckland's Eden Park, which hosts the final, will be in better nick.
Never like this at Broadacre, or Parc Mawr. What will our boys make of playing on such pitches we don't know. Seems to us the Kiwis have got an advantage from the off, and how are mam and dad going to get tickets in such a cramped seating area, and they'll get wet when the roof leaks, as it's sure to do.
Not content with making us suffer an unfair advantage, the NZ papers are full of this Sonny Bill Williams fellow, who many Kiwis reckon is the best thing since sliced bread. Let's hope Ryan can get hold of this new 'fifth-eights' Canterbury wonder boy and stop him in his tracks. C'mon Wales.
Arrived in New Zealand to find that they are some way off getting their grounds in shape for the Rugby World Cup 2011. See pictures above! Shocked to find main stand at one club looking in need of a bit of repair and a lick of paint. Scratched our heads to find any hospitality tents or even a bar area for few sherberts, and the playing surface looked a tad dodgy too. Hope Auckland's Eden Park, which hosts the final, will be in better nick.
Never like this at Broadacre, or Parc Mawr. What will our boys make of playing on such pitches we don't know. Seems to us the Kiwis have got an advantage from the off, and how are mam and dad going to get tickets in such a cramped seating area, and they'll get wet when the roof leaks, as it's sure to do.
Not content with making us suffer an unfair advantage, the NZ papers are full of this Sonny Bill Williams fellow, who many Kiwis reckon is the best thing since sliced bread. Let's hope Ryan can get hold of this new 'fifth-eights' Canterbury wonder boy and stop him in his tracks. C'mon Wales.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
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