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All Wrapped Up For Xmas

All Wrapped Up For Xmas

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Matamata. Staying At A POP.

Matamata. Staying At A POP.

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A Slight Misadventure.

Back in late 2021 while we were away exploring the country we noticed that the bathroom window wasn’t sitting “flush” in it’s frame. It appeared to us that it was coming out of the hinge that holds it into place. After a little bit of difficulty we managed to get it shut and sealed, leaving it shut until repairs could be undertaken. Then in early December 2021 the motorhome was due for the annual…

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The Long Way Round

The Long Way Round

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Magical Mangakino

Before we moved on from the Whakamaru Reserve we wanted to get the bikes out and complete part of the Waikato River cycle trail we had done two years ago. By riding back from our position we could finish the route between Whakamaru and Mangakino. One of our fellow campers who appeared quite the experienced cyclist asked me about our intended route as I wheeled the bikes out of the back of the…

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Whakamaru. Lakeside Paradise.

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Catching Up.

One of the drawbacks from all the time we have spent off the road is how little we have seen of people we have got to know over the last few years. So with my treatment for lymphoma now well and truly behind us it was time to hit the road for some new adventures. We had no real plans other than we were heading south, maybe eventually ending up in and around Napier to catch up with a good friend.…

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Saddle Sore In Waihi

Saddle Sore In Waihi

After spending two restful nights staying with our friend Terry (see last blog), it was time to move on. However, before doing that, we wanted to take advantage of the coolness of the morning and squeeze in another bike ride. To be honest about it, my legs and lungs felt positive about the ride. My backside, not quite so much after the long ride the previous day. When you haven’t been on the bike…

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Away, During The Summer Madness.

Away, During The Summer Madness.

Lots of families have their own holiday traditions. Ours is not to go away during the peak holiday season. We like to leave the campgrounds and beaches to those who cannot get away at any other time. So that we can make the most of things when they are less crowded. When I mentioned to Sarah that we head away for a couple of days during the first week of January I expected stiff resistance to the…

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It's Over, Time To Get Away!

It’s Over, Time To Get Away!

So much has been written about the lockdown in Auckland over the last few months that I think we are all over it. We might be over it but it was still having a major influence on our lifestyles cramping our desire to go camping. When the restrictions did finally lift on the Friday, Sarah and I decided to let the masses enjoy the weekend and do something early the following week. Since travel out…

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A Very Quick Trip Home

A Very Quick Trip Home

Back in late April and early May, Sarah and I managed to escape Auckland for a couple of days. At the time we were waiting for me to be accepted into a clinical trial at Auckland hospital. So it was the perfect chance to get away before I was again spending long days being treated. I wrote about the first part of our trip here, this is the remaining half of the trip were things took a rather…

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The Forgotten Blog

Back in late April, early May, Sarah and I managed to escape the madness of Auckland city for a few days R&R in the Coromandel. At the time I was waiting to start a clinical trial of a drug for my Lymphoma that was pretty much going to be the last roll of the dice for me. If the trial didn’t work there were no other options left. (You can read about my Lymphoma journey here) So I guess writing…

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Not The Best Of Choices

Not The Best Of Choices

In our quest to try and explore a few places we might visit when the dreaded Auckland lockdown finally finishes we headed North. We first visited the Atiu Creek Regional Park back in 2008 shortly after it opened. I remember Sarah and I wandered around the park that had little in the way of facilities and came away with the impression that there was still a bit of work to do. The park was, at the…

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Let Me Out Of Here!

Let Me Out Of Here!

I am sure that a significant number of motorhomers living in Auckland feel the same as me. After twelve weeks of lockdown the novelty has well and truly worn off and just want to get away in their motorhome. Even though the current level three restrictions prevent us from staying anywhere currently, it doesn’t stop us dreaming. With this in mind we decided to explore a couple of the Auckland…

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I'm Still Standing

I’m Still Standing

It’s hard to believe I last wrote a travel-related post back in August 2020, although I did write a post about our towbar tribulations with LTSA in May of this year. Unfortunately, with my Lymphoma returning in early 2020, travel eventually became impossible. I don’t want to bore you with all the details of treatment and recovery, but if you are interested, you can check out my Lymphoma blog. I…

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What A ridiculous Situation

What A ridiculous Situation

When we purchased our motorhome in 2017 one of the things we wanted fitted to the motorhome was a towbar. both as protection for the rear and if needed so we could take a car around the South Island. In the end we made the decision to head to the South Island without a tow vehicle behind us. It did mean that we couldn’t go to some of the places we might have wanted to visit. But, it also meant…

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The Journey Continues

Since I started this blog in 2017 I have shared 197 posts and have had over 230 thousand people read at least one of these posts. obviously some people will have read more than one skewing the figures but it’s still something that I am immensely proud of. Sadly as those who have read my recent posts will know. I have had my health compromised with Lymphoma which has caused some serious dents in…