pictures taken on the road

The road we are staying on is very pretty. There are life style blocks and farms all along it, There is quite a lot of orchards growing kiwifruit, avocados and an olive grove.

farmland  photo by Kay

avocado orchard  photo by Kay

part of quite a large olive grove  photo by Kay

We had more visitors for morning tea today, so I made a batch of pikelets. There wasn't any cream, but we did have strawberry jam.  I didn't know being retired was such a social affair.

We will have to get some one to look at the oven as it won't keep going. We will try and get it done before we leave Katikati.

Overnight Guests

Vicki Stephenson and her 2 children were our first overnight guests. After dinner we went to Sapphire Springs for a swim. They were a bit more refreshing than we had thought they would be, but it was a nice evening and we all had fun.

The children slept in the truck and Vicki slept on the bed settee. She said it was very comfy, so that is good to know.

Rude fingers all round for the photo shoot. Photo by Vicki

17th April 2017

We have settled into our caravan in Katikati for a month, while our friends go away.
Yesterday Eddie helped Murray chop down a wattle tree that had taken off the dome for the satellite TV. Luckily we had a portable one, as the one on the roof wasn't working.

Getting ready to chop down a tree. Even retired life you need your boots sometimes. photo by Kay



It is a lovely spot with views out over the Tauranga Harbour. Natalie has a lovely garden. There are sheep to keep an eye on and ducks in the duck pond. Sometimes they come and visit us for a few minutes. After a spot of quacking they waddle back down to their pond.

They come up to remind Eddie they haven't had their maize yet. No pressure, but quack, quack, quack. photo by Kay

We have just about finished putting everything into the caravan. There is still a bit of stuff in the jeep to put in, but I think we are winning. Before we left Matamata we took more stuff to the dump and the op shop and I have found more for the op shop since I have been here. We are going to have a preferred customer status before much longer. ha ha.

Before Natalie goes this morning she is taking me into Katikati to meet the ladies in her walking group and I will go with them for about an hour and then have a cup of tea in a cafe. Retired life is sooooo busy.

Soooo busy photo by Kay

The Adventure really begins

Well I am back from my trip to South America, which was an amazing experience, but now on to our new life in the caravan.

The weather has been pretty wet over the last few weeks. First there was cyclone Debbie. Eddie weathered it on his own as I was still away. The caravan stood up well to the wind and rain. Next came cyclone Cook, which brought lots wind and rain as well. There was just a bit of shaking when the wind got up, but other wise all went well. We are pleased it passed the test.

The primer on the truck has been covered with paint and it makes it look so much better.

Tomorrow we leave Matamata which has been our home for the past 11 years and set off to house sit for friends in Katikati in the Bay of Plenty. We will be there for about a month to 6 weeks.