Photos from a Caving experience on a private farm at Pio Pio. Thanks agasin to Suzie, Phil and Luke for their hospitality and having us scullywags. Click picture to below to access the gallery on NUI.NZ…
Kohatunui Farmstead Caving
Month: November 2017
Confession time
I have a confession to make, I do not understand present day Economics or financial markets.
To be honest, all I personally see is perhaps the biggest global asset bubble to ever grace the face of this planet. Many assets across the board appear to be valued well in-excess of their intrinsic value and have seemingly been like this for a lot longer than would ordinary be in a so called a bubbly situation.
Sailing on a Y280
25th November 2017 – Pictures from a sail around the Pahurehure Inlet, Wattle Downs
Using Carl’s Y280, a small two person yacht.
Karamatura Valley and Mount Donald Mclean (2017)
Note May 2021: This post describes a hike that was done back in 2017 prior to being closed off due to Kauri Die Back concerns. The track has since reopened minus the Fletcher Track.
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Trip notes for the Karamatura Valley and Mount Donald Mclean trail, a regular solo short to medium walk I regularly do. This will perhaps be my first attempt at documenting a trail in some sort of detail in a format inspired predominantly by MotoWalk NZ
In summary, A trek up through Fletcher Track up to Mount Donald Mclean and back via Karamutura Valley.
Expect around 5 hours at a gentle pace, including 30-40 minutes for a lunch stop at Mount Donald McLean and a 30-40 minute Swimming stop at the Base of Karamatura Falls (Actual walking time, about 3½ to 4 hours) Continue reading “Karamatura Valley and Mount Donald Mclean (2017)”
Motuora
Explore of Motuora Island today with the North Shore Tramping Club. Lead by Imogen with Karen who took us there in the official Yellow bus. Photos posted to NUI.NZ, Click Image below to access the gallery…
Will add some more details in the next few days. (Right now I’m feeling really really sleepy, Apologies!)
Weekend in Palmy
4th to 5th of November 2017 – Weekend in Palmy. Click image below to access the gallery on NUI.NZ…
Took yet another Jetstar flight, this time down to Palmerston North.
Locations visited (includes links to Official external websites)…
- Sledge Track, Toe Toe loop and Platinum Mines, [PDF Brochure here]
- Tawa Loop (Loops off of Manawatu Gorge Walk)
- Caccia Birch House (Open Days)
Car Rental Relocations
Occasionally I will take advantage of Rental Relocation deals to usually to do a road trip after a key event concludes (be it, after a hike or after a work trip) to explore an area that is new to me.
After attending the Outdoor Training NZ AGM in Wellington in the weekend just past, A JUCY Condo Camper van was lined up in order to go back to Auckland, where we took turns driving it back to Auckland. It was perhaps my first time experiencing driving a Van and a Camper.
About the “JUCY” Campervan itself. Main points…
- A pleasant and friendly lady at the Wellington JUCY branch showed us around the vehicle, how to operate the various functions and provided instructions for return.
- The JUCY “Condo” camper we got was in a good state of repair, very clean and tidy
- A Freshly cleaned set of Blankets and duvet supplied as well as towels for 4 occupants.
- All Cutterly, Bowls, Plates and Cups have been supplied
- The Vehicle included two LPG hobs including Pots, Pans and a kettle.
- A Chemical toilet was included.
- I did find the Vehicle to be quite thirsty, drinking about 12-13 litres of petrol every 100km at Highway speeds.
- The Vehicle only had a 2.0 litre naturally aspirated petrol motor and given the size envelope and weight of the vehicle, it naturally struggled with hills, while noticeably labouring at 100km/h on the flat. Be prepared to pull over frequently to allow other traffic to pass on hilly sections.
- Noticed the Camper was perhaps a little more tiring to drive than a regular rental car. (e.g. in comparison with a Toyota Corolla Hatch)
General observations about renting a car (not necessarily confined to Relocation deals)…
It is in my feeling that you really need at least 48 hours to make the Car rental relocation journey a worthwhile undertaking, otherwise it could all just driving point to point with little time to actually stop off on the way to look at things.
Many Excess reduction insurance options offered by many rental car companies excludes the likes…
- Under Body and Overhead damage.
- Hail damage
- Tires / Punctures.
- Windscreens
- You may still be levied with a claim fee of about $75 even if you took up the $0 excess option.
Most standard Holidays parks charge per person in terms of Camping, not per site, bear that in mind when looking around for places to stay. Cabins and motel units at the same Holiday parks are usually advertised at the Twin rate.
If you have a self contained Camper van, it may be prudent financially to take advantage of that and Freedom Camp where ever possible and as long as it is legal to do so.