Derrick like Skid worked with me at Lever Bros in Petone
I was there for 6 years, 6 really good fun years.
Starting the same time as me was a girl called Frances, she was at the same high school as me, a year ahead but we were in the same netball team
Frances met Derrick, they married
They moved to Bunnythorpe about 40 years ago
They bought a 25 acre block, a beautiful property
Sadly, Frances died some years ago.
Derrick met and married Lorraine
They have continued to develop the Property
Derrick is a Celebrant and many a wedding has been held in their gorgeous garden
Unfortunately it was a dismal old day for our trip to Bunnythorpe.
Makes one a bit peckish, so our first stop was for Food.
Popped into Turangi Town Centre.
Mustard Seed Café looked good.
Naturally I was looking for sandwiches, but I spied on the black board...All Day Breakfast.
That’ll do. Ooh, Eggs Benedict 3 ways I had Ham and Dale had Salmon,
each accompanied by a Hash Brown
Left the camera in the car,
so I didn’t get a shot, but this food was well received by these two travellers.
From Turangi it’s straight onto long and windy roads, leading to the Desert Rd, an aptly named stretch.
Such a desolate place, but once you reach the Plateau you get the Mountains.
A beautiful sight. Of course being summer, a bit lacking in Snow
but, there is a dusting, enough to make it lovely.
At the end of the Desert Road is the Township of Waiouru.
(The Halfway pit stop for "Stirling Moss" in those hair raising drives many years ago...Actually I think it was a very necessary refueling stop as well)
Bit of God Forsaken Place but someone loves it
Its home to the NZ Army.
They can do manoeuvres in this area till their heart’s content
and never disturb the great unwashed public, and they do.
There is a war Museum, one day we shall visit it. Next trip perhaps?
Quite good for Fried Food stops if that’s what you fancy... but not us today
Straight through to Taihape, home of the Gumboot.
Creative Creations have been at work here as well.
It's everywhere. They even have Gumboot throwing competitions, it's serious stuff.
Then it’s onto Mangaweka I love this Café. Mangaweka International Airport, no less?
As we were well fed and watered this was just a Photo Op.
Years ago the Mangaweka Gorge was part of trip, hated by most passengers but loved by Boy Racers like The Beloved.
It was windy and hilly, the kids slept through it,
it was enough to make one sick, if one hadn’t been so scared. 6 miles of bad road!
Thank God for the Ministry of Works, they cut a hole through the hill and it’s now a dream.
About 20 minutes on, I spied a sign for The Vinegar Hill Camping Ground.
Time for a Photo Op.
Little Tent Towns strewn around.
It’s almost the end of the holiday season so not so busy.
Obviously for serious campers. Not a Cabin in sight, just an ablutions block and wide open spaces
Prone to flooding. If you hear the siren evacuate…could be fun in a storm?
Liked the look of this Art Gallery, one of the many cute buildings dotted around the North Island
So not far to go now.
Nice to arrive at Derrick and Lorraine’s beautiful property.
with a welcome glass of wine or two.
The Spanish theme carried on into dinner, Gazpacho and Paella
Derrick and I were the last to go to bed.
Another Photo Op
Surprise, Surprise
Bunnythorpe dawned with another lovely day.
A hearty breakfast and another Photo Op, had to capture the Flags Derrick flew on our behalf.
celebrating our heritage... then it was off to Wellington.
Of course can’t do the whole distance without a Loo stop, which of course forces one into a Café.
The Perching Parrot, in Paekakariki, being the Café of Choice.
Excellent Coffee and a superb little Chocolate and Blueberry cup cake
The old Paekakariki Dairy still in existence.
When we were young we used to visit friends who had a beach place here on the West Coast.
Great view of Kapiti Island.
Another piece of nostalgia.
We moved in there in 1966. 11 great years in Churton Park.
Down the Ngaraunga Gorge and
Hello Wellington.
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