New Zealand -April 30th -the final leg

Our last day in New Zealand for this trip.

Another grey old day greeted us, and at times we wondered where the "NZ Turbo" setting was on the windscreen wipers.

Our motel host suggested a scenic route back to Auckland, and with miles of time to spare, we took up the suggestion.

This had us heading up the coast,  where she promised us we would actually see the sea!!!

She was right. Before we reached Miranda and up to Kaiaua we were quite stunned. On our right was the ocean-right to the top of the beach, then something between 50m and 10m of land to the road that we were driving. On our left, appearing to be lying even lower than the sea, were cow paddocks,  with cows munching away on lovely green grass (much like our flats along the Murray River near Jervois).

How does this work? Should this grass be able to grow here???

As we drove into the town we found the letterboxes on the ocean side of the road and the houses on the away side. We have seen the postie in his van (not a bike) delivering in a number of places, but not sure how this works as a practical thing. Does he need to get out at each spot, or does he just drive along on the wrong side of the road?? (Each time we have seen the van it has been on the wrong side of the road)

This is New Zealand , and we should not have been surprised to find that the planned route to Auckland was closed due to a slip on the road.
With a deadline to reach the airport this was an interesting development,  but we kept the worry at bay, and were thankful that we had brought along the navigator so could identify an alternative route without too much trouble.  This meant heading inland and travelling across the ranges on very picturesque country roads. Who could really complain?

After a brunch break we headed off again,  and again were diverted due to yet another road closure! We were now down to the line on our timing, but, despite some interesting route choices, we still managed to find a petrol station, return the car, and jag a timely drop off at the airport with about 15 minutes spare to the check in cut off time. Whew!! Then of course there was plenty of time to be processed through and  wait for our flight to Sydney along with a good number of other orienteers and many others who were toting masters games backpacks.

We had a fairly tight schedule in Sydney to collect baggage,  clear customs, recheck baggage, transfer terminals to the domestic, repass security and find our gate. We were delighted to have enough time to relax a little and catch up with Peter and Robyn Cutten who were also on the flight home.

The sight of Ben, Vassi and Grandpa Tom greeting us at the airport was wonderful. It is good to be home, and we were very happy to climb into a comfy bed, with comfy pillows and the right amount of bedding for these fussy sleepers.

That's the end of another adventure, making memories together for the Diments.

New Zealand April 29th- Gold mining history

It rained for a good part of the night and we woke to grey skies.  We got a bit distracted by one of the two cryptic crossword puzzles that we had managed to get our hands on while in NZ, and realised that it was 9.50am (check out time was 10) with some dismay and had to scramble to pack up in time.

We stopped for fuel and found full driveway service!! This is something I remember from my childhood, but haven't seen for many years. A young lady in fluoro vest wanted to fill our tank and clean our windows but Trev still had to go in and wait in the line to pay at the checkout. Apparently this service is expected by Americans who visit the area. 

We followed the coast road , winding our way behind a line of various old cars (all Dodges of some description) between high hedges made of pine trees and sheltering kiwi fruit and avocado plantations. (10 avocados for $5) and decided to take the road into Waihi beach to try to see the water (still following the old cars). Even on this beach road there was no water on view!!  

We headed, unsatisfied, out of the beach and into Waihi proper. The old gold mine (originally tunnels, but now a huge open cut pit) has a walk around the rim, and we decided, despite the rain, to do at least some of that walk and have a look. The pit is almost 200m deep, (shafts used to go 600m deep). 

There is very little action there at the moment and the mine is in the process of being rehabilitated and closed completely, with a plan to fill with water and form a lake stocked with fish and able to be used for boating,  and swimming. 

Along the walk you could have a close up look at how big those mine trucks are.  

The old pump house was moved from its original position 300 away to preserve it. They raised it on to Teflon pads and slid it along stainless steel plates!!

They left the last of the steel plates in place so we could picture the move. 

You can see the fence of the gold mine up the hill from the pump house and a line of red.  That is a line of poppies placed to remember those who served in WW1. This is a Lions project. In many towns around NZ we saw flags and memorials of ANZAC  and were even asked if Aussies celebrated ANZAC  day too!

We saw flags like this in many places and this stylise

Next stop was a walk at Karangahake which had been recommended by John N. I had had this on my list of things to do this day, but given the lousy weather we may not have bothered if John hadn't told us it was worth it.

The windows gorge walk is so named because of the windows cut into tunnels through the hillside. They were cut to allow the miners to discard useless rubble, but make beautiful viewing spots of this lush green gorge with a stunning river tumbling below.

Looking out of a window

Suspension bridge

Looking at a window from across the gorge

 The rain saved me from taking hundreds of photos.
As with many old mining spots the town, once about 2000 strong, is long gone, leaving a few local houses and cafes, and many old rusty relics -pieces of heavy equipment, old battery buildings, old tunnels and in this case some suspension bridges.

Old tramline

View down from the lookout 

Having effectively used up a good portion of our day again on going not very far, but seeing some interesting places we were quite happy, and wound our way via the river route (very little river view as per usual) to our motel in Thames. 

After checking in we headed out again to take in the town. We found that they have a coastal walk which follows the sea front, winding along the mud flats and mangroves, and including a bird hide constructed with compensation money from the the Rainbow Warrior sinking! To make the walk more interesting the walk has painted decorations, the bollards are rainbow coloured and the croquet club have come on board and painted one of their fences too. It really did lift the dreary grey day. A model railway adds to the local attractions.

We spotted a big white monument up on the hill above town and drove and round to investigate,  winding up a steep, narrow road past many homes with steep narrow driveways. It is the local war memorial.