Gadding About

Travel and travel related stuff …


Casa Granadina 2022

After 2+ years of lockdown we were desperate to get away for a bit to Spain to catch up with Rosie and do a bit of walking. Finally touching down at Malaga airport and heading out for our now traditional lunch at Restaruante Sardinas  on the edge of Toremellinos was […]

View of Mt Maroma

Cheddar Gorge view showing valley and resevoir

End of a Fallow Period?

After an almost 3 year blogging fallow period I’m back on the case. 2020 has been the wierdest of years – we all know why. Herein lies an opportunity. With nowhere to go, in theory I have more time on my hands for blogging – Let’s see what happens… I’m […]


Journey’s end

It had to happen eventually. Four magical weeks in NZ finally come to an end. This trip included different angles on old favourite destinations (Wellington, Rawene, Waihi Beach, Taupo, Auckland), and some brand new ones (Whanganui, New Plymouth, Raglan – all worthy of future visits should the opportunity arise). After […]

Lone figure on Piha Beach

Pond at Ruapuke Motor Camp, Raglan

Raglan

Icing on the cake for our couple of days in Raglan was hooking up with Lynne again – (mate recently ex-London UK – as opposed to Ranana (London) on the Whanganui River Road). After a fairly long drive from New Plymouth, arrived in Raglan. En route stopped off at the […]


New Plymouth

Having a relaxing time in New Plymouth and glad to have an extra day here. Great catching up with another ex-London mate and former squash partner who returned to NZ a while back. Even managed a game of squash – my first for about 15 years. Got thrashed, but not […]

Mount Taranaki shrouded in cloud

Park near river, Whanganui town

Whanganui

Long, beaut drive from Taupo via the Desert Road to Whanganui. Stopped off for a few hours to take in Okahune and Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park for striking views of the triplets – Mts Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu, and Tongariro. A short walk from the village up the Ridge Track […]


Taupo

Nice drive down from Waihi Beach to Taupo. Stopped to take in the delights of Lakes Okareka and Rotokawa – a couple of the smaller lakes between Lake Rotorua and Lakes Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Rotokakahi (Green Lake) lying side by side. Then continued up the road to the huge […]

Native bush surrounding Lake

Old boot in the sand

Waihi Beach

Had a lovely couple of nights at Waihi Beach where amongst other things it was great to catch up with another friend who whizzed over from Auckland for the day to meet us. Athenree Hot Springs and Holiday Park was home for our stay at Waihi Beach. Another well run […]


Rawene

Picked up camper on early on Christmas Eve and made the long and beautiful drive up to Rawene, stopping off at Trounson Kauri Park  for a stretch break wandering through a small stand of Kauri Trees. Onwards winding through the amazing Waipoua Forest, passing Opononi’s beautiful beaches. Finally arrived at […]

Cyclist

Feeding the eels

Wellington

Long, long journey to get here but get here we did. Had a fabulous time in Wellington enjoying catching up with dear old friends being a major highlight of this first 5 night leg of our trip. Took things slowly the first morning (– not that we had much of […]