New Zealand or Bust

[Riverbankannie]

One of the things that I am still using that I brought back a supply of is Sunlight Soap. It's great in the utility room for all sorts of washing and I take a bar with me in MH for hand washing.

 

[KiwiKampers]

Whittaker’s Chocolate! You have discovered Kiwi gold Two on Tour ! Whittakers is one of our oldest companies, founded by a man from Macclesfield (hardly known for its chocolate production) and run to high ethical standards.
Whittakers has always been top quality and innovative with its flavours, but it comes at a price, especially compared with the likes of Cadbury’s.
I haven’t bought Cadbury’s chocolate since they closed their factory in Dunedin several years ago. Just my way of protesting. When I first came to NZ in the late 80s it was noticeable that Cadbury’s UK chocolate tasted different to Cadbury’s NZ chocolate. I have been told it’s because they make it to a recipe that can withstand the higher temperatures of NZ and Australia. Maybe Whittakers also has a higher melting rate, as proved by Holly's mum.
I like to give my house exchange guests a few bars of Whittakers. They do chocolate bars with Marlborough Sea Salt and Nelson Pears so you could say they have a local flavour.
In recent years Whittakers has paid Nigella Lawson a lot of money to advertise their chocolate, unless, of course, she was paid in a lifetime supply of the stuff.

 

[PaddyM]

Kiwi adventure part two ….. Cook Strait ferry , 13:00hrs sailing .

 

[KiwiKampers]

PaddyM Perfect day for a Cook Strait crossing. Calm, 0.3m swell and a northerly.
It's the southerlies you've got to keep an eye out for, and there are none of those in the next few days.
Just keep your fingers crossed that the old tub doesn't break down.

 

[PaddyM]

We live in Warrington UK so we are going to visit Warrington NZ on our way down to Dunedin .

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[PaddyM]

On the Kaiarahi ship in the Premium Lounge , looks well worth the upgrade

Complimentary food and drink .

 

[KiwiKampers]

We live in Warrington UK so we are going to visit Warrington NZ on our way down to Dunedin .

Be careful. If you blink you may miss it!
There's a lovely beach at Warrington, several holiday homes, a few permanents, and an NZMCA park has recently opened on the tidal inlet.

 

[funflair]

Kiwi adventure part two ….. Cook Strait ferry , 13:00hrs sailing .

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We must have seen you in the boarding queue, just driven through to park up for tomorrows 08:45 sailing, just waiting to get into a car park for the night so having lunch, interesting bar

 

[PaddyM]

Saw the beach and campsite on google maps , was hoping for a civic reception and a twinning ceremony !

 

[PaddyM]

now that does look like an interesting bar ! Petrol and beer what a combo !

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[StillGoing]

Toitu Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin - free entry but worth making a donation

 

[Holly's mum]

Toitu Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin - free entry but worth making a donation

We did that a couple of days ago, very interesting museum

Also in Dunedin, the Tuhura Otago Museum is well worth a visit too. We did the planetarium show, which was very good.

The Monarch wildlife cruise is good too.

 

[PaddyM]

Picton docking imminent!

What a journey, incredible, journey of a lifetime . I’ve promised myself that ferry crossing forever .

 

[funflair]

Picton docking imminent!

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What a journey, incredible, journey of a lifetime . I’ve promised myself that ferry crossing forever .

We are getting closer we might catch you up, which way are you heading? We are going to Nelson if you want to a avoid us

 

[PaddyM]

We are getting closer we might catch you up, which way are you heading? We are going to Nelson if you want to a avoid us

We are in Picton for four nights ( wine and aviation museum) and then Nelson for four nights , and it’s a deffo yes to meet up for beer and eats !











Fantastic air b n b overlooking the marina , having such a massively great time .

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[Kiwi Brit]

One of the things that I am still using that I brought back a supply of is Sunlight Soap. It's great in the utility room for all sorts of washing and I take a bar with me in MH for hand washing.

When we were living on our narrowboat in UK. I always had sunlight soap in the cupboard as it is so useful. Now always have it in our motorhome in NZ.
Great to spot carpets, soft furnishings, hand washing etc.

 

[Mikey RV]

Any more pictures of that bar, looks great.

 

[Two on Tour]

Couple of things that we have noticed while here so far, is any litter is a very rare sight, along with dog poo. There seems to be a low percentage of dog ownership here in the towns and cities.

 

[KiwiKampers]

Couple of things that we have noticed while here so far, is any litter is a very rare sight, along with dog poo. There seems to be a low percentage of dog ownership here in the towns and cities.

You got me wondering about pet ownership in NZ, so I Googled and figures from 2019 show that 34% of Kiwis own a dog and 41% own a cat (although I've seen graffiti and signs that say no-one owns a cat, they own you!).
Regarding litter - I wish I could agree with you about the lack of litter. It used to be that the courts used to get probationers to pick litter, but now, due to Health & Safety they're not allowed to do it.

 

[CJK]

The New Zealanders can be a little bit odd sometimes.
Here are a few oddities that we have come across in our travels so far.

The wellie fence.

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The trainer fence.
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The undies fence.

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..... and not to be missed, Teapotland.

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We have to make our own entertainment you know.

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[CJK]

You got me wondering about pet ownership in NZ, so I Googled and figures from 2019 show that 34% of Kiwis own a dog and 41% own a cat (although I've seen graffiti and signs that say no-one owns a cat, they own you!).
Regarding litter - I wish I could agree with you about the lack of litter. It used to be that the courts used to get probationers to pick litter, but now, due to Health & Safety they're not allowed to do it.

The litter in Britain was shocking to us when we got back here. I’d just hate wonderful Aotearoa to go the same way.

 

[funflair]

Any more pictures of that bar, looks great.

No sorry, back at the van and early start tomorrow, Google Panhead bar Wellington and see what comes up.

 

[CJK]

I have a feeling we will enjoy the country more than the driving as long as the field repairs hold we will be OK though and if not I will whinge again, the guy did make us feel we weren’t the only ones when he said that they all rattle like a bag of spanners. Whatever though I am sure we will enjoy.

When we were living on our narrowboat in UK. I always had sunlight soap in the cupboard as it is so useful. Now always have it in our motorhome in NZ.
Great to spot carpets, soft furnishings, hand washing etc.

Sunlight soap!!!! I love it!!

 

[CJK]

As a member of the NZMCA I really appreciate what a well-run and invaluable service it provides. But my heart sank a couple of years ago when I read that some of the Club's leadership had been to the UK on a fact-finding mission, checking out how the Clubs are run over there.
They have come back with all sorts of proposals to "improve" our facilities, including providing showers, toilets, EHU, laundries, etc.
In my view this will change the character of our Club and, inevitably, increase the costs of being a member.
All members have self-contained caravans and motorhomes, fitted with toilets, showers, washbasins etc. Nearly every town in NZ has a Liquid laundromat. Why do they feel the need to go down this path of having on-site facilities? Soon there will be signage everywhere telling you where you can and cannot park, a Little Hitler reprimanding you for hanging your bath towel over the wing mirror, and Health & Safety signs on the wash basins warning of "Hot Water".
I love the simplicity of the current NZMCA parks. The "garden shed" where you self-check-in, the iron maiden honesty box (or for the more technically minded, the App) the book exchange (usually full of Mills & Boon and jigsaws with pieces missing) the queue for the fresh water, Happy Hour in the shade of the big tree in the corner off the paddock, and, best of all, meeting new friends at the dump station!

Oh no!! Not that please. It was already feeling as though NZMCA was the last bastion of the proper Kiwi way.

 

[CJK]

I’m loving this. We’re heading back to NZ for seven weeks at the end of the month. We left there to help my mum here; I packed our stuff thinking I’d be back within nine months. But things got in the way and here we are, four years on, just making it back. Your posts remind me that I need to make the most of it all! Keep ‘em coming!

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[Holly's mum]

Invercargill water tower all lit up tonight

 

[PaddyM]

It’s the people for me , positive outlook , polite , good manners , optimistic, smiling and helpful .
Don’t get me wrong it’s not utopia , last night walking to a wine bar near Cuba St there was a girl so pissed she vomited all over her feet .
There is also ( as everywhere blighted by fast food) a horrendous obesity problem .
It’s no longer England of the 50s but I so hope they don’t copy the decline of the UK and Europe . There is still time kiwis , grasp it .

 

[jongood]

Picton docking imminent!

View attachment 1014161

What a journey, incredible, journey of a lifetime . I’ve promised myself that ferry crossing forever .

It has to be one of the most scenic crossings in the world as long as the weather is good and that looks absolutely perfect.

 

[Kiwi Brit]

One of the places I have been wanting to visit was the Okama Aviation Heritage Centre at Blenheim.

Peter Jackson of the Lord of the rings & The Hobbit film trilogies, is a keen collector of first world one aircraft of which he owns 70 and a warehouse of aviaton artifacts.
The Okama Aviation Heritage Centre houses some of his collection and he help setup the Centre and used his film background to set scenes to display the aircraft.

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While still in Blenheim we had our first pie and it did not disappoint, pork belly for me and Yvette had chicken, leek, and mushroom.

View attachment 1011184

Hi hope you tried some of our wines. Yes the Burleigh pies have quite a name. We live in Blenheim but are currently in Nelson. Actually caught up with Kiwi Kamper this afternoon enjoy the rest of your trip.

One of the places I have been wanting to visit was the Okama Aviation Heritage Centre at Blenheim.

Peter Jackson of the Lord of the rings & The Hobbit film trilogies, is a keen collector of first world one aircraft of which he owns 70 and a warehouse of aviaton artifacts.
The Okama Aviation Heritage Centre houses some of his collection and he help setup the Centre and used his film background to set scenes to display the aircraft.

View attachment 1011177

View attachment 1011178

View attachment 1011180

View attachment 1011181

View attachment 1011182

View attachment 1011183


While still in Blenheim we had our first pie and it did not disappoint, pork belly for me and Yvette had chicken, leek, and mushroom.

View attachment 1011184

 

[Kiwi Brit]

As a member of the NZMCA I really appreciate what a well-run and invaluable service it provides. But my heart sank a couple of years ago when I read that some of the Club's leadership had been to the UK on a fact-finding mission, checking out how the Clubs are run over there.
They have come back with all sorts of proposals to "improve" our facilities, including providing showers, toilets, EHU, laundries, etc.
In my view this will change the character of our Club and, inevitably, increase the costs of being a member.
All members have self-contained caravans and motorhomes, fitted with toilets, showers, washbasins etc. Nearly every town in NZ has a Liquid laundromat. Why do they feel the need to go down this path of having on-site facilities? Soon there will be signage everywhere telling you where you can and cannot park, a Little Hitler reprimanding you for hanging your bath towel over the wing mirror, and Health & Safety signs on the wash basins warning of "Hot Water".
I love the simplicity of the current NZMCA parks. The "garden shed" where you self-check-in, the iron maiden honesty box (or for the more technically minded, the App) the book exchange (usually full of Mills & Boon and jigsaws with pieces missing) the queue for the fresh water, Happy Hour in the shade of the big tree in the corner off the paddock, and, best of all, meeting new friends at the dump station!

Agree

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