Herbertville is a delightful coastal settlement just south of Porangahau, not too far to go for an overnight trip. We had the place to ourselves but this time next week it will be packed for sure.
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| Longest name in the world |
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| Cape Turnagain |
Thursday 20 December 2012
A beach to ourselves
Our beautiful daughter has returned from a year in Wales and wanted to experience the Adventure Machine, this called for a trip to the beach. Given that Christmas is just around the corner, there were not many days to choose from, luckily we chose well.
Herbertville is a delightful coastal settlement just south of Porangahau, not too far to go for an overnight trip. We had the place to ourselves but this time next week it will be packed for sure.
Herbertville is a delightful coastal settlement just south of Porangahau, not too far to go for an overnight trip. We had the place to ourselves but this time next week it will be packed for sure.
Wednesday 28 November 2012
Ngai's View - Marlborough Sounds
What a lovely week down south in the AdMach. Fantastic weather.
It started with us being shoved to the end of the campervan line for the ferry cause they didn't quite know which lane to put us in. This meant a very long wait for embarkation and disembarkation on the Aratere but not so bad on the Kaitaki since it loads front and back. We spent the first night near The Grove just as a starter since we were headed to Nelson to catch up with my other Mum - Jeb and my lovely brother Tim and his partner Lisa. Beautiful weather in Motueka and I took Clint to the Riwaka Resurgence and out to the Abel Tasman Park. After a few days we headed off to the Sounds via Moutere to visit my father's memorial.
An amazing road out to French Pass which is quite a mission to drive. Superb views and a nice little DOC campsite at the end of the road. I had always wanted to visit the tidal channel between the island and the mainland. Quite spectacular when the tide is heading out and in.
We headed back to Pelorus after this and a date with some kayaks and the river. Clint and I tend to have differing views of paradise. His is sun, sand and tidal bays. Mine is bush, river and swimming holes.To cover our bases we try to do one then the other. Pelorus River was warm and running quite low so there was quite a bit of bum shuffling on some of the smoother, shallow sections and I swam a fair bit thru the deeper pools. Not a lot of white water activity but enough to get Clint a little wet and a backward slide into an eddy resulted in me leaning the wrong way and falling in. Fun
We then finished by heading off to Havelock and a lovely dinner down at the Marina to top off a lovely few days.
The road goes ever on and on...
Next day saw us heading up to Keneperu Heads and Clint's favourite campsite so far.
A beautiful sunset and a lovely spot. Lots to watch out on the bay at low tide.
Off to Titirangi Bay next and another windy, dusty road but oh so worth it. An amazing campsite in a farmers field amongst the sheep. A pristine bay, shellfish galore - perfect.
The AdMach went like a dream the whole way and is an absolute delight on the dirt roads. Not sure why but I can have my window wound right down and get no draught or dust in. Love that. It's great being on the road.
It started with us being shoved to the end of the campervan line for the ferry cause they didn't quite know which lane to put us in. This meant a very long wait for embarkation and disembarkation on the Aratere but not so bad on the Kaitaki since it loads front and back. We spent the first night near The Grove just as a starter since we were headed to Nelson to catch up with my other Mum - Jeb and my lovely brother Tim and his partner Lisa. Beautiful weather in Motueka and I took Clint to the Riwaka Resurgence and out to the Abel Tasman Park. After a few days we headed off to the Sounds via Moutere to visit my father's memorial.
An amazing road out to French Pass which is quite a mission to drive. Superb views and a nice little DOC campsite at the end of the road. I had always wanted to visit the tidal channel between the island and the mainland. Quite spectacular when the tide is heading out and in.
We headed back to Pelorus after this and a date with some kayaks and the river. Clint and I tend to have differing views of paradise. His is sun, sand and tidal bays. Mine is bush, river and swimming holes.To cover our bases we try to do one then the other. Pelorus River was warm and running quite low so there was quite a bit of bum shuffling on some of the smoother, shallow sections and I swam a fair bit thru the deeper pools. Not a lot of white water activity but enough to get Clint a little wet and a backward slide into an eddy resulted in me leaning the wrong way and falling in. Fun
We then finished by heading off to Havelock and a lovely dinner down at the Marina to top off a lovely few days.
The road goes ever on and on...
Next day saw us heading up to Keneperu Heads and Clint's favourite campsite so far.
Off to Titirangi Bay next and another windy, dusty road but oh so worth it. An amazing campsite in a farmers field amongst the sheep. A pristine bay, shellfish galore - perfect.
The AdMach went like a dream the whole way and is an absolute delight on the dirt roads. Not sure why but I can have my window wound right down and get no draught or dust in. Love that. It's great being on the road.
...Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
Saturday 24 November 2012
Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough Sounds have lived up to their reputation both scenic and weather wise. We have had a week of glorious weather and the outlook remains good for the next few days.
After a couple of very pleasant days with Ngai's 'other' mum in Motueka we headed for French Pass. A dusty, windy road that left arms tired from battling with the steering wheel for a couple of hours.
The Dept of Conservation campsite is very pleasant but not as spacious as we imagined. Cold showers were not appealing enough to entice me.
We had the constant company of Wekas, one stole my muesli bar from my hand whilst I was otherwise occupied gazing at the view. Cheeky bugger.
Next stop was Pelorus Bridge and the DoC campsite there is a credit to them. Very new facilities and a lovely setting. As it was Friday night there was quite a crowd including a large group there for a child's birthday. What a way to spend a birthday, they were clearly having a great time.
Ngai braved the chilly, crystal water for a bracing swim. I watched gallantly from the bank, keeping an eye out for crocodiles. Luckily, none were seen.
This afternoon we paddle down the Pelorus River for a couple of hours, spend the night in Havelock and then head for Titirangi Bay, likely to also be a dusty trip but the campsite has been recommended by people we met at French Pass. A stiff norwester is forecast so we may seek some shelter there.
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| French Pass |
After a couple of very pleasant days with Ngai's 'other' mum in Motueka we headed for French Pass. A dusty, windy road that left arms tired from battling with the steering wheel for a couple of hours.
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| Road to French Pass |
The Dept of Conservation campsite is very pleasant but not as spacious as we imagined. Cold showers were not appealing enough to entice me.
We had the constant company of Wekas, one stole my muesli bar from my hand whilst I was otherwise occupied gazing at the view. Cheeky bugger.
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| Abel Tasman NP |
Next stop was Pelorus Bridge and the DoC campsite there is a credit to them. Very new facilities and a lovely setting. As it was Friday night there was quite a crowd including a large group there for a child's birthday. What a way to spend a birthday, they were clearly having a great time.
Ngai braved the chilly, crystal water for a bracing swim. I watched gallantly from the bank, keeping an eye out for crocodiles. Luckily, none were seen.
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| Riwaka River |
This afternoon we paddle down the Pelorus River for a couple of hours, spend the night in Havelock and then head for Titirangi Bay, likely to also be a dusty trip but the campsite has been recommended by people we met at French Pass. A stiff norwester is forecast so we may seek some shelter there.
Sunday 26 August 2012
Ngai's View - Castlepoint
Last time I was in Castlepoint was a school camp back in the 70's! Stayed at the same place as well and all I can remember is that one of the boys fell off the trampoline and broke his leg or arm. I'm not sure that Castlepoint has grown that much since then except perhaps up the hill. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
As chief navigator I managed to tiki tour us all the way around the back of CHB and Tararua. As Clint said it was very wet out Weber and Pongaroa way and the clay soil has this creepy way of oozing across the roads as if it were alive. Got pretty sick of seeing mud and bull rushes! I had actually been wanting to come this way for ages because years ago an old friend of mine Alex Hayes lived out near Alfredton. Somehow I was expecting an Onga Onga type of village instead it was a Sherwood like turnoff (meaning a school and a community hall).
Our campsite at Castlepoint was really well situated. Beautiful view and slightly sheltered from what we were expecting to be a very windy night. Afterall Castlepoint is notorious for its strong winds often over 120km an hour and not unknown to go over 200km. The boardwalk we were both expecting that connected the end of the road with the lighthouse walk is no longer. I guess it is not needed since it looks like the sandy bar is above the tide line. Really windy out at the lighthouse. Sort of hold on to the railing type stuff. Stopped and watched the surfers taking on the waves coming through the gap by Castle Rock. Very impressive.
I always get spoilt by Clint on these trips as he has all his kitchen and cooking stuff sorted out and I just sit back and stare out at the view...
Yep I know I'm lucky! Dinner and breakfast - Yum.
Clint spent the first half of the night pissed off at the flap connector banging and then finally he got up and took it down. I slumbered through all of that because I listen to music and podcasts all night with my earphones on.
I got some great early morning photos the next day. As I got up to take them a muffled voice from the depths of the top bunk said: "It looked better 30 minutes ago". Hehe. I notice he didn't get up though to take these so called better shots.
We had a leisurely drive home on SH2 and Melle was ecstatic to see us since Ana was still in bed. (not surprised).
So another place in NZ gets ticked off my list in my quest to get Clint to see all of the country. In November we will head down south to Karamea, Heaphy and then Golden Bay. We haven't been out to Farewell Spit yet. I will also take Clint over to Pureora in the next few weeks. Such an unsung hero of a Forest Park.
Then next year I will look forward to taking Clint and his Mum and Dad around the top of NZ. My Mum and I did a great road trip around there a couple of years back and Molly and Ana and I went up to visit Tane Mahuta a few years before that. (highlighted by Ana's refusal to get out of the car to see it:-).
So Rakiura and Breaksea Sound are the last two places on my own bucket list - Can't go there in the AdMach!
As chief navigator I managed to tiki tour us all the way around the back of CHB and Tararua. As Clint said it was very wet out Weber and Pongaroa way and the clay soil has this creepy way of oozing across the roads as if it were alive. Got pretty sick of seeing mud and bull rushes! I had actually been wanting to come this way for ages because years ago an old friend of mine Alex Hayes lived out near Alfredton. Somehow I was expecting an Onga Onga type of village instead it was a Sherwood like turnoff (meaning a school and a community hall).
Our campsite at Castlepoint was really well situated. Beautiful view and slightly sheltered from what we were expecting to be a very windy night. Afterall Castlepoint is notorious for its strong winds often over 120km an hour and not unknown to go over 200km. The boardwalk we were both expecting that connected the end of the road with the lighthouse walk is no longer. I guess it is not needed since it looks like the sandy bar is above the tide line. Really windy out at the lighthouse. Sort of hold on to the railing type stuff. Stopped and watched the surfers taking on the waves coming through the gap by Castle Rock. Very impressive.
I always get spoilt by Clint on these trips as he has all his kitchen and cooking stuff sorted out and I just sit back and stare out at the view...
Clint spent the first half of the night pissed off at the flap connector banging and then finally he got up and took it down. I slumbered through all of that because I listen to music and podcasts all night with my earphones on.
I got some great early morning photos the next day. As I got up to take them a muffled voice from the depths of the top bunk said: "It looked better 30 minutes ago". Hehe. I notice he didn't get up though to take these so called better shots.
We had a leisurely drive home on SH2 and Melle was ecstatic to see us since Ana was still in bed. (not surprised).
So another place in NZ gets ticked off my list in my quest to get Clint to see all of the country. In November we will head down south to Karamea, Heaphy and then Golden Bay. We haven't been out to Farewell Spit yet. I will also take Clint over to Pureora in the next few weeks. Such an unsung hero of a Forest Park.
Then next year I will look forward to taking Clint and his Mum and Dad around the top of NZ. My Mum and I did a great road trip around there a couple of years back and Molly and Ana and I went up to visit Tane Mahuta a few years before that. (highlighted by Ana's refusal to get out of the car to see it:-).
So Rakiura and Breaksea Sound are the last two places on my own bucket list - Can't go there in the AdMach!
Castlepoint weekend
We needed a trip to test the new petrol tank. Somewhere not too remote was called for just in case things didn't go to plan. Being winter reduced the possibilities even more.
Since the weather looked good we headed for Castlepoint, somewhere that had been on the list for a while. We headed inland from Dannevirke via Weber, Pongaroa and Alfredton. The countryside was showing the signs of the recent wet winter, plenty of slips to skirt around.
We stayed at the Castlepoint Holiday Park. $16.50 per person per night powered or unpowered. It was very quiet, not surprising for this time of year, but very clean with excellent facilities.
Since the weather looked good we headed for Castlepoint, somewhere that had been on the list for a while. We headed inland from Dannevirke via Weber, Pongaroa and Alfredton. The countryside was showing the signs of the recent wet winter, plenty of slips to skirt around.
We stayed at the Castlepoint Holiday Park. $16.50 per person per night powered or unpowered. It was very quiet, not surprising for this time of year, but very clean with excellent facilities.
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| Dawn at Castlepoint |
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| Castlepoint Lighthouse |
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| surfer |
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| Dawn, from bed. |
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| Castlepoint camp ground |
Sunday 5 August 2012
New life
The Adventure Machine is getting a new petrol tank and has been in winter recess but now it's calving.
Our first calf of the season. Unfortunately the mum, who is a first time mum, doesn't quite know what to do and thinks the calf is a threat so bunts her away everytime she gets near. This means getting the cow into a bail to let the calf feed. But what a wonderful calf, so full of life and determined. She is yet to named. Ah the joys of having animals.
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| Australian Lowline calf- 4 days old |
Thursday 24 May 2012
Final Stages. The awning.
An extension from the rear of the vehicle has always been a fundamental part of the design. It will provide space, shelter and privacy when needed.
The cost of getting one made commercially was not in the budget so I decided to make it myself.
I purchased a light weight poly/cotton canvas. Green was the only colour in stock so green it is.
My little Brother sewing machine could not handle the thickness so I bought a 1937 Singer model 99 for 80 dollars and it works a treat.
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| Animated gif of the awning. |
The cost of getting one made commercially was not in the budget so I decided to make it myself.
I purchased a light weight poly/cotton canvas. Green was the only colour in stock so green it is.
My little Brother sewing machine could not handle the thickness so I bought a 1937 Singer model 99 for 80 dollars and it works a treat.
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| Singer sewing machine model 99 |
Friday 11 May 2012
When the fuel don't flow....
Our planned Anzac Day trip to Lake Waikaremoana was curtailed just an hour into it.
Whilst going up a reasonably steep hill, the truck suddenly lost power. It would idle fine but as soon as a little accelerator was added it died. If I stepped on the accelerator hard it would roar into life.
I am mechanically challenged, but it seemed as if it were a carburettor problem and it felt as though the carby had two types of jets, one for low revs and one for high revs, the low revs causing the problem.
I managed to nurse it home and had a look through the factory service manual to find this motor has a carburettor with low and high flow jets, a primary and secondary for each. A trip to town to get some aerosol carby cleaner and the problem was sorted....sort of. It still run rough and hesitated on light throttle.
I asked Ongaonga Motors to clean and check the carby, which they did quickly and expertly and she runs just fine now. Marcus (the mechanic) said the carby 'was full of water and sh*t'. Hmmm this would explain the problems.
Wikipedia has this information on carburettors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carburetor
Whilst going up a reasonably steep hill, the truck suddenly lost power. It would idle fine but as soon as a little accelerator was added it died. If I stepped on the accelerator hard it would roar into life.
I am mechanically challenged, but it seemed as if it were a carburettor problem and it felt as though the carby had two types of jets, one for low revs and one for high revs, the low revs causing the problem.
I managed to nurse it home and had a look through the factory service manual to find this motor has a carburettor with low and high flow jets, a primary and secondary for each. A trip to town to get some aerosol carby cleaner and the problem was sorted....sort of. It still run rough and hesitated on light throttle.
I asked Ongaonga Motors to clean and check the carby, which they did quickly and expertly and she runs just fine now. Marcus (the mechanic) said the carby 'was full of water and sh*t'. Hmmm this would explain the problems.
Wikipedia has this information on carburettors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carburetor
Wednesday 28 March 2012
East Coast New Zealand- Beautiful
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| Kaiaua Beach, East Coast New Zealand |
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| Freedom Camping in Gisborne |
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| Donneraille Park, Gisborne. |
I was impressed that there was no rubbish left at either location. Freedom camping doesn't necessarily mean a mess.
Sunday 19 February 2012
Somewhere to cook
A blurry photo of the new shelf with cooker.
My idea of a shelf
Folded away for travel.
Thursday 16 February 2012
Wednesday 15 February 2012
Running water
This meant the battery would only have to supply the LED lights, so a cheaper battery was required.
Also means that if you want a glass of water at 2am there isn't a pump making a huge noise.
Monday 6 February 2012
First over-night trip
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| Adventure machine at Waipawa River looking east |
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| Looking up to the Ruahine ranges |
Three thumbs up was the conclusion.
Friday 3 February 2012
Bench and sink
I used off-cuts of the 'ultrasign' board and plastic drawers from 'The Warehouse'. Nice and light.
Still have the plumbing to do and a step on the left side to get up to the bunk.
Saturday 21 January 2012
Friday 20 January 2012
A look at where I went
I haven't tried this before but here goes..
Google Earth should show you my GPS track.
Ruahine adventure 1
Four days in the Ruahine mountains tramping. Good weather and not another soul met from start to finish. Solitude.
I didn't actually sleep in the AdM but it did get me to an out of the way place and I have found the site for our first overnighter. Just 100m on from here via a 4WD track to the river is a flat sheltered spot. Perfect.
Sunday 15 January 2012
Real (off) road test
This afternoon we took the Adventure Machine for a decent offroad test. I am happy to say it went very well indeed. The roads have seen better days after the recent heavy rain so a real test of its ability.
One steep uphill section required low ratio 4WD as it was soft, rutted and very steep. I needed a cup of tea by the top.
One steep uphill section required low ratio 4WD as it was soft, rutted and very steep. I needed a cup of tea by the top.
Design flaw
The project had one large design flaw, the big rear door, in particular the inability to close it whilst in the rear cabin.
So if you are, for instance, by the sea and it gets windy, you can't close the door and hunker inside. You would have to get into the front cabin.
In addition, the big rear door was a bit bigger than I first planned and a lot heavier.
After a great deal of thought the only solution seemed to be to hinge part of the door so that it could fold down and attach to the supporting doors for strength but also allow us to get in and out.
So off the came to door again. A bit of cutting here, a bit of welding there, a few hinges extra and it was ready for a trial fit.
Of course now that I have put in a hinge I also need a way to hold the door straight as well.
All up the door weighs 20kg. This puts a lot of pressure on the supports. It all looks ugly.
Version 3 will do without the second part of the door all together. This reduces the sheltered part at the rear but more than halves the weight of the rear door making it much easier to support and manhandle. We will have an 'awning' made to create a covered an enclosed rear. The size and details are yet to be decided.
I have spent far too many hours constructing, deconstructing and reconstructing this door and I am heartily sick of it.
So if you are, for instance, by the sea and it gets windy, you can't close the door and hunker inside. You would have to get into the front cabin.
In addition, the big rear door was a bit bigger than I first planned and a lot heavier.
After a great deal of thought the only solution seemed to be to hinge part of the door so that it could fold down and attach to the supporting doors for strength but also allow us to get in and out.
So off the came to door again. A bit of cutting here, a bit of welding there, a few hinges extra and it was ready for a trial fit.
All up the door weighs 20kg. This puts a lot of pressure on the supports. It all looks ugly.
Version 3 will do without the second part of the door all together. This reduces the sheltered part at the rear but more than halves the weight of the rear door making it much easier to support and manhandle. We will have an 'awning' made to create a covered an enclosed rear. The size and details are yet to be decided.
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