Since I didn't have to work this weekend we took off for a little look around. The plan was to go to Hamilton (supposedly a 2.5-3 hour drive) and explore as well as check out Raglan - home to a world famous surf break. By the time we got packed up, turned back to get the pillows we forgot, stop to rearrange the surf rack we were getting to 6pm. So somewhere along the way we decided to go straight to Raglan rather than drive in the next day from Hamilton. So it was nearly 10pm when we got there but we had called ahead to a campground to book a site so we knew we could check in. We set up and went to sleep only to be woken before dawn by the roosters that live onsite!
Unfortunately there was not much happening for surf so we drove out to Bridal Veil Falls where there's a 10-15 forest walk to get to the different viewing areas. It was pretty gorgeous. Then we kept driving the country roads to find a spot to stop for lunch. We found a little pull-off overlooking rolling hills where sheep were grazing. The sun was out and it was lovely.
We got into Hamilton in the early afternoon and found a holiday park and got set there. We drove around the city for a while looking around. We had come through here on our bus ride to New Plymouth back in August. It's one of the five or six biggest cities in New Zealand and it has around 130,000 people. After dinner we walked around the city and then went bowling and to the casino for some one cent slots. There are tons of bars in Hamilton and they looked pretty lively and interesting but we're not really bar people at the best of times and we definitely didn't pack bar clothes for our camping weekend. But the nightlife was bustling and if we were there with some other people we would be more keen to enjoy it!
After another early wake up (this time thanks to some European tourists who came back to the campground at 4am...) we decided that we'd hit the road back. There is a zoo in Hamilton but the weather had turned grey and rain was in the forecast. We took a longer route home to check out some other little towns on the way. We got to have some Wild Bean coffee - which is just the coffee they have at cafes linked to the BP gas service stations but it's so good and they have good pies and muffins too! There isn't a Wild Bean in New Plymouth that we can enjoy.
Our plan was to stop for lunch at a brewery an hour north of New Plymouth but we pulled in to find their power had been knocked out by the strong winds that had kicked up. They gave us a sampling of the beers but the porter is sadly just a winter brew so there was none left! We missed our chance! The lack of power also meant no lunch being served. So we just kept on cruising home.
We wanted to get up to these areas because once we're moving we won't likely be back to these parts based on our rough route plan. So maybe we'll take another weekend in Raglan or Hamilton but we also have hopes to go south for some camping and surfing nearby. It was nice to see somewhere new and have a little break. Next time we might go for somewhere that's not 4 hours to get to though.
So this week I work the split up week and Labour Day weekend is coming up. There's a long boarding competition that's held at Fitzroy Beach on the holiday weekend but I'll be working until 2:15pm Saturday and Sunday so will miss a good portion of it. They have bands that play at night though so I'm sure we'll get out to see one night at least. And if the conditions aren't great, Dustin will likely watch the competition.
We've gotten past the halfway point of our time in New Plymouth. We've been here just over two months so there's 6-8 weeks to go! We're still deciding exactly when we might leave but early to mid December for sure. I just found out that Rhys Darby is doing a tour and will be hitting a town a couple hours inland on December 14th so we might try to be on the road by then to catch it!
So things have just been plugging along. I don't think I mentioned that Dustin got a big raise because the company he's working for wanted to hire him directly rather than keep him working through the agency. So that's good! My work has been busy, it seems to be the typical troubles of any sort of work in the health care field - everyone is overworked and there's never enough hours in a day. So I am flat out for my whole shift and haven't yet been able to work in proper breaks with leaving on time. And last week I had a couple run-ins with caregivers who haven't had patience for the fact that I'm still learning the duties of the job. So it's been kind of crappy. Hopefully now with a couple weeks under my belt things will go smoother!
Unfortunately there was not much happening for surf so we drove out to Bridal Veil Falls where there's a 10-15 forest walk to get to the different viewing areas. It was pretty gorgeous. Then we kept driving the country roads to find a spot to stop for lunch. We found a little pull-off overlooking rolling hills where sheep were grazing. The sun was out and it was lovely.
We got into Hamilton in the early afternoon and found a holiday park and got set there. We drove around the city for a while looking around. We had come through here on our bus ride to New Plymouth back in August. It's one of the five or six biggest cities in New Zealand and it has around 130,000 people. After dinner we walked around the city and then went bowling and to the casino for some one cent slots. There are tons of bars in Hamilton and they looked pretty lively and interesting but we're not really bar people at the best of times and we definitely didn't pack bar clothes for our camping weekend. But the nightlife was bustling and if we were there with some other people we would be more keen to enjoy it!
After another early wake up (this time thanks to some European tourists who came back to the campground at 4am...) we decided that we'd hit the road back. There is a zoo in Hamilton but the weather had turned grey and rain was in the forecast. We took a longer route home to check out some other little towns on the way. We got to have some Wild Bean coffee - which is just the coffee they have at cafes linked to the BP gas service stations but it's so good and they have good pies and muffins too! There isn't a Wild Bean in New Plymouth that we can enjoy.
Our plan was to stop for lunch at a brewery an hour north of New Plymouth but we pulled in to find their power had been knocked out by the strong winds that had kicked up. They gave us a sampling of the beers but the porter is sadly just a winter brew so there was none left! We missed our chance! The lack of power also meant no lunch being served. So we just kept on cruising home.
We wanted to get up to these areas because once we're moving we won't likely be back to these parts based on our rough route plan. So maybe we'll take another weekend in Raglan or Hamilton but we also have hopes to go south for some camping and surfing nearby. It was nice to see somewhere new and have a little break. Next time we might go for somewhere that's not 4 hours to get to though.
So this week I work the split up week and Labour Day weekend is coming up. There's a long boarding competition that's held at Fitzroy Beach on the holiday weekend but I'll be working until 2:15pm Saturday and Sunday so will miss a good portion of it. They have bands that play at night though so I'm sure we'll get out to see one night at least. And if the conditions aren't great, Dustin will likely watch the competition.
We've gotten past the halfway point of our time in New Plymouth. We've been here just over two months so there's 6-8 weeks to go! We're still deciding exactly when we might leave but early to mid December for sure. I just found out that Rhys Darby is doing a tour and will be hitting a town a couple hours inland on December 14th so we might try to be on the road by then to catch it!
So things have just been plugging along. I don't think I mentioned that Dustin got a big raise because the company he's working for wanted to hire him directly rather than keep him working through the agency. So that's good! My work has been busy, it seems to be the typical troubles of any sort of work in the health care field - everyone is overworked and there's never enough hours in a day. So I am flat out for my whole shift and haven't yet been able to work in proper breaks with leaving on time. And last week I had a couple run-ins with caregivers who haven't had patience for the fact that I'm still learning the duties of the job. So it's been kind of crappy. Hopefully now with a couple weeks under my belt things will go smoother!
It's great to hear that you got away camping. Funny how some of the names of places you've been to are common here too. The pics are great and the two of you look so happy. I can't believe how fast time has gone by. Missing you always, N&F Mom
ReplyDeleteRhys Darby Tics!! No doubt you both must be excited to see him live. Good Old Dumb Murray! Some early mornings what with the roosters and other campers coming in late. Nice Pictures guys! You both look happy and it was great to hear that Dustin got a nice raise and you are working too Katherine. Miss you both! Enjoy and wishing you enough......
ReplyDeleteLove Dad & Mom