[StevieD]

We went on a little trip out today, weather was fine, so we all piled into Kim's bus and headed south. Ended up at Marakopa falls.....

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/IMG_1407.jpg

The Dolan clan went through the jurassic like forests - again - and the only thing to spoil the serenity was the thunder of the falls in the distance and Kim jumping about like a loony after being bitten on the arm by a creature of unknown origin!! :laugh All we know is that it was black and horrible and left a big lump on his arm.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/IMG_1404.jpg

To say we were left there with our mouths hanging would be stating the obvious, looking at these pictures. Yet again, New Zealand delivered the goods. I really do love this place!

Prior to this we went to the natural bridge just a few kms along the same road. Again, jaws on our chest, we found a wonder of nature, with fossilised oysters over 35 million years old, stunning fauna towering above and a limestone "roof" over the cave. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of this because the camera battery had expired, but it was stunning.

So what was missing? It was only as we walked along the pristine wooden walkways that it hit home. Back in the UK, we would have had to pay through the nose for the privelege of seeing this well managed natural wonder. Not only that, we would have had to pay to park the car too. There were 7 people there, no graffiti, rubbish, ice cream vans, but just the sounds and smells of nature as it was intended. Absolutely magical.

So, another great day, to top it all, we went to a lovely cafe afterwards who give free coffee to drivers. The food was very well priced, lovely, and the gardens had chickens, donkeys, fish and a pot bellied pig to keep them entertained as we waited for the food.

Only problem there - I didn't realise that you had to pay at the counter. So after a fine meal, I asked if they bring the bill around - to be told no, you should have paid at the till! I went back and the lady behind the counter was sure that I had paid, but when I explained she was so grateful. I reckoned it is only fair, especially after Kieran lost his brand new sim card in a shop last week, only for a member of staff to return it to us as we searched.


I realise now why we did this. The kids have hardly spoken to us, they are enjoying the freedom that this country affords them. It is clean and child friendly and I know they appreciate it. So do we....:clap

[Kim39]

Good post bud and pic's, not a bad photograher really am i;) . Glad to see and hear you are enjoying this move. But come on jumping around like a loony:laugh it hurt and my arm could have fallen off there and then, and it would have been left to E to drive you home......have you seen her drive the Prado, she thinks its a Scania tractor unit ready to pull a 44ft trailer.

Yes folks i was jumping around. Unsure what it was but it was black,big and dropped off the trees. Felt as if someone was driving a hot poker down my forarm for around an hour.

Kim

[speckythecky]

You're just trying to make those of us stuck in ice cold blighty jealous. Well it's working, especially the thought of big black things that fall from trees and stab like pokers,

can't wait to get there and sample these things for myself

[Timbo]

So glad to hear that your early impressions are good ones Stevie. I will be checking out that lovely looking spot asap mate.
Kim. Hope the arm is still attached.....not a touch of WP syndrome creeping in there I trust. :laugh

[StevieD]

John, believe me, he was in pain !! But the place is stunning. Sorry about the weather back in Warrington, but the rain hasn't stopped since we arrived. But when the sun does come out, phew, is it hot. And now that the Singapore scalding is starting to finally ease off, I'll be able to venture into the sun a little bit now. That is why I had my Karrimor windproof on, for the sun as much as the scary things that drop out of trees!!

[Cardy]

Hey kim where are these falls i wouldnt mind a look at them myself.:exit

[katandbob]

Hey kim where are these falls i wouldnt mind a look at them myself.:exit
Yep, was thinking the same myself - amazing views....have to put that on the To DO List!!!:nice1

Kat

[Kim39]

Hey kim where are these falls i wouldnt mind a look at them myself.:exit

Take SH3 to Waitomo Caves. Follow pass the caves and keep on the road where you will climb. Nice little pull in for photo opportunities looking across the Waikato plain. Once done carry on driving until you hit a DOC sign with Marakopa Falls. You can do a full circle on this road and end up on SH31 into Kawhia.

What you doing Saturday night Paul? fancy popping over for a chat and introduction to Mr D. Will bell you later on in the week.

Kim

[Kim39]

.....not a touch of WP syndrome creeping in there I trust. :laugh

Timbo, sorry for my ignorance, but WP, explain please.

Kim

[Timbo]

Sorry Kim, couldnt resist. WP= whinging pom mate. I know every time I manage to hurt myself at work, the rest of the crew are only to quick to accuse me of having it.

[Cardy]

Hey kim would love to come over but its the twins 13 th birthday saturday and were taking them out for a meal . Any other time is ok with us whenever you are free. will bring some ale over,,wine for the ladies. Have decided which job i,m going to go for will pm you.:roll

[StevieD]

:laugh - WP syndrome!

[pinkpiggy]

Fab photos. Great to see you out and about enjoying the NZ countryside. :D

[zardell]

Glad to hear you're enjoying your first few days.

Now, don't forget, a Playboy need his rest and eventually,all this gadding around will take it's toll.............

Julie

xx

[StevieD]

Playboy 1 has had plenty of rest - lot's of instant power sleeps in the car and in the most inappropriate places :laugh

But PB1 will not be having much rest this week coz he has an interview up in Auckland YAY!! Just found the email in the MSN mail junk folder - been there since last Friday, just about to be deleted oops. It is the job that I have been chasing since last May, so fingers crossed fellow forumites please.

[speckythecky]

Steve,

Good luck with the interview, don't forget your beauty sleep.

john

[Kim39]

Sorry Kim, couldnt resist. WP= whinging pom mate. I know every time I manage to hurt myself at work, the rest of the crew are only to quick to accuse me of having it.

Oh yes thats me Tim, and probably one of the biggest ones in TA:laugh the amount of stick i get is great and i just play on it. Who can whinge when you have sights like that on your doorstep.

Hope all is well up north bud.

Kim

[vixxann]

an interview up in Auckland YAY!! Just found the email in the MSN mail junk folder - been there since last Friday, just about to be deleted oops. It is the job that I have been chasing since last May, so fingers crossed fellow forumites please.

Fantastic Steve - fingers well and truly crossed for you :D
Photos are jaw dropping gorgeous - and I wonder why you all look so happy ;)
Cannot wait to get there.

[zardell]

But PB1 will not be having much rest this week coz he has an interview up in Auckland YAY!! It is the job that I have been chasing since last May, so fingers crossed fellow forumites please.



Fingers,toes,eyes,arms,legs - in fact anything that crosses is firmly crossed !!

Go get 'em PB1.

PB2 and Me.

xx

[andreamatt]

Great photos - glad you're all really enjoying it so far. Good luck with the job interview. Keep your posts coming...

Andrea Matt William and Martha (roll on June...)

[thezorbster]

Great to see you all enjoying yourselves Stevie! It was great to read your post and your comments about no charge for parking etc made my day. We went to Brittany last summer and I was just totally amazed for the entire holiday that we didn't have to pay for parking anywhere, even in some of the busier seaside towns - it became the catchphrase of the holiday - "and the best thing is it's free Mummy" - so different to UK where you can spend a tenner just to park at the beach. Can't wait for free days out!

Keep those photos coming and make the most of your free time before you start work again. Good luck with the interview!

[pinkpiggy]

Steve good luck with the interview. Everything that can be crossed (and not being used) has been crossed. ;) Let us know how you get on.

[sizzlingbadger]

Love the photos, definitely another trip to put on the 'to do list' :D

Good Luck with the interview, fingers crossed it works out for you :nice1

[Singel]

Great to hear about your job interview :raebanana

Keep everything crossed for you :nice1 :nice1

[Nettie]

:yes Lucky lucky you! It looks fantastic. Can't wait to get there....5 weeks and counting!
And all the luck in the world for the job. :nice1

[leachio]

Gonna be St stevied at this rate!!! U may or may not have any idea of how inspirational ur posts are and photos r even better!

6.5days and we hit the skies!!!

Best of luck with the interview, will say a wee prayer :)

Amanda & co

[Andy-Dee]

:nice1 Crossing the digits again Steve - good luck, must be the lucky shamrock!!

[jess]

what a great photo!!! thanks!!! :D

[StevieD]

Thanks for your wishes - it just may be that lucky shamrock :laugh It is good here, but we still in a semi-holiday mode. We have been looking at the jobs, and there are some made for me, some not. I will be ecstatic if this job comes to fruition, it looks (and felt from the start when I first saw it) perfect.

We are off to the Mount over Tauranga way - more photos later :)

Steve

[marcia]

Hey Stevie, photos are brill - nice place Kim tok you to!

Good look with the interview, hope it all works out for you.

Did you manage to do the Salt water pools at the mount?? We thought they were great, especially at night under the stars! :nice1

[Moorf]

All the best for the job hunting Stevie, great posts too :nice1

[StevieD]

No salt water pools, just saltwater Pacific! :) Lovely day, real surf dudes (even if I was the white one :laugh). Great fun bodyboarding, very hot weather. Kids had an absolute scream, bodyboards were worth every penny. (75p each at a car boot sale!!)


Interview is Thursday afternoon, well, in NZ speak, "pop in for a chat" - so I looking forward to this after talking to the manager this morning.

Thanks for your wishes.

Steve

[zardell]

No salt water pools, just saltwater Pacific! :) Lovely day, real surf dudes (even if I was the white one :laugh). Great fun bodyboarding, very hot weather. Kids had an absolute scream, bodyboards were worth every penny. (75p each at a car boot sale!!)




And the piccies are...........:confused: ................where???

;)

Julie

xx

[StevieD]

Managed to get a few photos today in Mount Manganui. Our camera gave up the ghost so had to rely on Kim getting some photos for us.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/IMG_1417.jpg

Getting ready for the sea....

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/IMG_1416.jpg


Yes, the water is freezing


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/IMG_1419.jpg


Kieran getting ready for the next wave

[StevieD]

The water did take the breath away at first, as did the views, but once used to it, then it was fine. Great fun boarding in, and a body suit is definitely on the list for me too. My poor old chest is raw with the board rubbing against it.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/IMG_1423.jpg

Definitely good fun this!!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/IMG_1422.jpg

It did help that it was 24 degrees there today. It was lovely, white sand, and there can't have been more than 100 people the whole length of the beach.
We had a nice little picnic on the beach, and ample opportunity to enjoy the surf.

Good to relax and enjoy the NZ sunshine. Now this IS the life. :nice1

[speckythecky]

I do wish you would stop enjoying yourself and making us all jealous.

Seriously though it looks stunning again, I have my wet suit ready to pack, although I will need it over the summer here, before I get out there and sample the southern ocean waves.

Best of luck with the chat on Thursday afternoon

[StevieD]

Thanks John! We need to have this R+R after the last few months we've had.

It was beautiful, and the drive over entails some pretty nice climbs with spectacular views. Again, couldn't take the pics as the cam went u/s.

[Helsandfamily]

Fab Photos Again !!!!

Very envious especially as the weather has turned REALLY cold again!

Hels

[StevieD]

Well, you have to remember that NZ had the worst winter for many a year last year. And it is only autumn, but they reckon the weather will hold up until May now. That would be nice.

[vixxann]

they reckon the weather will hold up until May now. That would be nice.

Pleased to hear that :D

Glad to see you are getting into the "play hard" aspect of life in NZ!
Good luck on Thursday. Sam has a "pop in for a chat" interview arranged for whilst we're over. :clap

[Moorf]

Fabby pics StevieD - so cool to see you all enjoying NZ after all this time :nice1 - that beach looks gorgeous!

[StevieD]

Thanks Helen, been quiet on the old forum front for the last few days, got a lot of business to sort out and I not exactly in the right frame of mind!

Went over to Tirau yesterday, again blistering hot day. The place is a quiet little town, very much geared towards tourists. But we had a pleasant hour or two, looking at the fantastic clock shop, ranch wear, Christmas shop (what a surreal experience that was) outdoor gear shop (will have to go there again soon :) ) and had one of these fantastic NZ ice creams - again.

Thoroughly enjoying the touring about, still looking for a job, lots of little snippets of info I am chasing up now, got some firm leads, and have to provide some info for the interview I had in Auckland. It is growing on me this place, love it. Will keep this updated.

Steve