Monday, September 26, 2011

!!! P R O B A B L E G A P I N P O S T S F O R A F E W D A Y S !!!

I await a lift from Papamoa to Hamilton [~110Km]  as I write  [5pm local tuesday 27th Sept]

Overnight in Hamilton, then train to Wellington tomorrow [8 Hours] ...

Catch up with Ruapehu skiing friends in the evening ...

Ferry from Wellington to Picton thursday morning via Cook Strait [3 hours] ...

Train from Picton to Christchurch thursday afternoon [4 hours] ...

Arrive Christchurch 6.30pm [hopefully :-)  ]

See ya later folks ...

Blo-Karting aka small Sand Yachts on Tarmac!

What better to do on a sunday afternoon?
This was also just plain F U N !!!











Oooh - you don't wanna do it like that!


Nick on two wheels - nice one!

Saving the Sand Dunes ... ... ... The beach near Yvonne & Nick at Papamoa ...




Looking South ...

... and looking North towards Tauranga and Mount Maunganui - see how those Norfolk Island Pines stand out???

Wind-blown sand's got the better of this plaque in places





That lady's waiting patiently for whales!



Pathways through the housing that's been built here has been preserved via many like this ... ... ...

Or just stay at home and relax outside :-)


Mount Maunganui 2 - The Summit!!!


This second set of photos shows views from the treck up to the summit of Maunganui ... 




Peace in our time ...




Start of the long haul upwards, with part of that amazingly placed campsite below left!

The port Pilot goes out to met a large container ship, ready for guidance into the port.

Electric Light Orchestra [Mr Blue Sky] and a pleasant view of the unfolding peninsula

Very popular with paragliders





The only was is up {baby!}





Hot Pool - just opened for the season

One of those tables witnessed the serving and devouring of one of the wickedest carrot cakes I've ever had the privilege to chomp!!
And from here on we have some shots that are almost worthy of postcard status!? 
Gotta lurrrv that camera :-)

The port again - "can't see no Naval Ships though, can you Yvonne?"    Ohh - wait ... maybe just the one :-)