Who’ll Stop The Rain

Kia Ora

I have been delayed in posting this as we have been caught in Whanganui with devastating floods. Another post coming soon. In the meantime………….

 

We have been in the Taranaki region for about 5 weeks and there has hardly been a day that it hasn’t rained. It’s any wonder this place is so green – and pretty. The mighty Mt Taranaki stands proud, and on a good day you can see her in her full near-symmetrical glory (which has been only about three times while we’ve been here!). Apparently if you can see the mountain – it’s going to rain, and if you can’t see the mountain it IS raining. Haha you think, well it’s bloody true.

Mt Taranaki

We’ve just spent a few weeks doing some helpx work in Eltham for a couple who have a beautiful 3 acre block in the middle of town. It’s all mature trees and shrubs with a small lake in the middle of it. I would go so far as to say Nicki’s second love is trees; of course Neal would be her first. She is an arborist by trade and with that comes climbing trees, at which she happens to be very very good – World Champion good in fact. With ropes, pulleys and stuff she can be up a tree before you can think about where to start. She has travelled a fair bit of the world competing in international championships over the last few years. It constantly amazes us that we have so many talented people hiding away in little corners of NZ. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/9077078/Eltham-tree-climber-on-top-of-the-world-after-big-win

A small part of the property at Eltham. Nicki does some of her training on the grounds.

Without Helpx we probably wouldn’t have even stopped at Eltham. It’s got 2 cheese factories and one has a delicious factory shop. We couldn’t help ourselves – lucky we have a small fridge so we could only buy a small amount.

hmmmm cheese

The Forgotten World Highway goes from Stratford to Taumarunui. The only highway we know of with moss growing up the middle of the road. We drove as a far as the little township of Whangamomona. In recent years the town declared itself an independent state and every 2 years they have elections for Mayor/President. Apparently one year a goat won it. A town with a permanent population of about 10 people grows to 2000 on election weekend.

We stayed just out of New Plymouth and across the road from us was the beautiful Lake Mangamahoe. It’s a small hydro lake, with picnic areas and beautiful plantings and walking tracks all around the lake.

Lake Mangamahoe – with a random campervan.

With all the rain we have been on lots of drives. We have circumnavigated Mt Taranaki and drove up the side a bit to North Egmont. We also spent time in New Plymouth, which is a very appealing city, and travelled up to Urenui, a pretty little village about 30km to the north. While there we caught up with Pam and Dave, who we met on our test run of Polly early last year at Gabrielle’s Gully near Lawrence.

 

Our trip to Taranaki has been partly to explore another part the country, but we are also biding our time till we return to Blenheim to housesit for Caroline again. Back up the truck a bit, didn’t we do a quick crossing to Blenheim in May? That was to see a specialist. And now while we are there Hamish will have a hip replacement, yes you read correct, a hip replacement. 2^nd July he’s booked in and I can’t wait, as I will get a new hip husband for my birthday. His recovery/rehab will be in the luxury of a house. After that it will be a slow and careful trip (what’s new) around the South Island. Yesterday I conquered the parking brake on the van. Yes!! Now Hamish won’t have to hitch and unhitch the van – I can. But of course I will have a supervisor.

Watching the sunrise at Wai-inu Beach from the comfort of bed

Thursday morning, the sun came out at Wai-inu Beach (40min north of Whanganui, where we’re headed today). Looking across the sea, you can see the snow-capped Southern Alps stretching along the West Coast. Not long now till we’re back on the mainland……

Blog Title – Who’ll stop the rain.

Seemed perfect for the time we were in Taranaki.

(Footnote: Little did I know when I wrote these words that we would be heading directly into the worst flooding in Whanganui’s recorded history. More on that very soon)