Birdsong, that’s what I’ve really noticed most since we have been back on NZ soil, the cacophony of wonderful birdsong that wakes us in the mornings and continues throughout the day until evening. I didn’t realise how much I missed that chorus of background song, even in Auckland City the song is everywhere but now that we are in the country the noise is almost deafening! Combined with the roar of the sea and I keep thinking my ears are ringing.
We spent our first couple of days back staying with Antony, trying to adjust to time difference and catching up on sleep. I’ve only just realised that this is the first time we have returned to NZ non stop without a layover half way. Every other return journey we have had a night or three around half way to break the trip but not this time. Although we haven’t had any jet lag as such (I always chew on the No Jet Lag tablets (they work for me)), it’s the tiredness and adjustment to time zone and seasonal changes that gets us.
After a few days of R&R in Auckland at Antony’s we headed down to Tauranga ready to pick up our RV, but first we stayed with Keith in Mt Maunganui and had a good catch up with my nieces Jenna, Amy & Rebekka, their husbands and my great nieces. Although still in a bit of a zombie state, just sleep deprivation rather than any jet lag, we had a lovely afternoon and evening sharing a Thai meal. And in my fog I forgot to take a single photo.
The following day we were off to collect the van, it was pouring with rain so not a nice day to be travelling. Anticipating all sorts of potential issues in the van from dampness, to mould, to mustiness, to mice and goodness knows what else, we were pleasantly surprised that everything was just fine with no evidence of anything unpleasant. As there was a break in the rain, we decided to just get a move on and unload everything once we reached the POP in Whakatane, our destination for the next few days.
The van started first time, and we were off. Just a 30minute drive and we arrived at the POP (Park over property) where we quickly settled in then started the clean before unpacking everything. With fingers crossed we started the fridge, it went first time, phew. We had done a basic supermarket shop on our way, getting in the essentials like bread, milk, butter, eggs, cheese, tea and some fresh fruit & veg so a cup of tea was essential before starting work. It wasn’t long before we had everything stowed away although I do have to admit that I had to search the memory banks to remember where we kept things! Well, it is 6 months since we left the van so I guess I’m allowed to forget a few things.
More shopping was done the next day to tide us over for the next week or so. We’ve already noticed how much more expensive the groceries are to what we paid for in the UK, but fuel is a lot cheaper here in NZ compared to England. So I guess it’s swings and roundabouts.
Next day we meet up with John & Jude in Whakatane for lunch, and to give John his gifts of flags, flags and more flags, a bottle of Pedro Ximinez and of course liquorice in all sorts of forms but mainly Pontefract Cakes and Nipits.
In return John had got some honey for me from Opotiki, lovely Manuka honey which is rather delicious. I had bought some earlier in the year and taken it over to Alex so I knew it was good. We had a long lunch and caught up on all their news before it was time for us all to get a few chores done.
The next day I had booked the van in for its COF with the new oven booked in for installation later that day. Some of you will recall the oven issues we had back in May this year, you can read about it here. So off we trot for the COF, at Ted’s in Whakatane, hmmm, but what’s this? One of the inspectors comes out holding his phone, look at this he says, one of the inside rear tyres has a huge bulge in the wall, you need to get it changed asap. Fortunately there is Bridgestone Tyres just next door so off we go. Unfortunately the young man is working alone today and is out on a job but he will be back soon we are told. A couple of hours later he returns, hmmmm he says, I don’t have any of that size tyre, it will have to be ordered in. “What about our spare?” I ask…”oh you have a spare?” he replies. Yes we do, so we took the cover off it only to find it had some occupants.
We had checked all over the van when we picked it up for birds but we didn’t think of checking inside the cover of the spare on the back of the van! The nest was quickly despatched and he got to work getting the van jacked up…we can put down our hydraulic levellers if that would help! oh that’s amazing, he said, you are making my job so much easier. He quickly had the tyre changed, checked, torqued and he then checks all the tyre pressures. All done and dusted and that will be $40 thanks! That’s brilliant.
Next it’s off to Coastal Motorhomes for the new oven. We left them to do their thing whilst heading into town for a bit of retail therapy. It wasn’t long before we got the call to say it was all done and we could pick it up.
I must say I am impressed with the new oven, it’s much more robust that previous iterations as it has enamelled interior walls to the oven, the cook top trivets are cast iron, the grill is much improved with the burner running across the middle rather than from front to back. It also has a cooling fan which switches on when the hob burners or oven have been in use.
Back to Ted’s to get the COF recheck and our sticker to say we are all good for another 6 months then off back to the PoP for the night.
I had to test out the oven so a batch of cheese scones it was. And damn delicious they were too.
Back to Tauranga for a couple of days, we are still fighting to get the sleep patterns back to some semblance of normality so a couple of days R&R, catching up with the nieces and great nieces before we head north.
the new pump installed.
I adjusted the sign 😂.
No, the van is definitely NOT for sale, and nor is the platform ladder for that matter but some people thought this was funny 😬.
I will spare you the selfie that Antony took of himself on my phone when I asked him to take this picture as it was less than flattering!!
Sue & Jeffs camper parked up beside us.
no they haven’t changed much at all have they? And just love the haircut Sue!!
one half of the siblings, one could argue the good looking half!!!
The Vanninis' Manoeuvres 