Judith And Her Cute 4x4...

My friend Judith from Waiheke Island turned up at Kaiaua yesterday in her grunty, go anywhere and very cute 4x4. She's been traveling the country for about three years, often with her fourteen year old son Gus.
Together, they're either up the mountains skiing or having wonderful outback experiences.
She's not fulltime on the road but loves the lifestyle.
One day, she says, one day...

Jucy Rentals Leave A Bad Taste...

This French tourist, one of three in this little Jucy rental van urinates for the world to see and doesn't give a damn.
Sure, peeing in public is not a hanging offence but this 'el cheapo' Jucy van doesn't have a toilet so it begs the question, where do these people shit?
When I spoke to him, I got the 'Sorry I no speak English' response but he made it clear that if it was good enough for the cows in the paddock over the way to shit where they liked, it was ok for him too.
I made it very clear using language he and his friends were bound to understand to go away, go home and don't come back.
I then contacted Jucy Rentals who have recently won an award for innovation in the tourist industry!
I did more than suggest they innovate a portable toilet in all of their hire vehicles.
Being part of a Freedom Camping Forum isn't good enough. Paying lip service isn't good enough. Put your money where your mouth is Jucy!
Freedom Camping, my lifestyle, the health, well being and beauty of New Zealand is at risk by these hire companies who pretend to care about the environment but care more about the dollar...

On The Shore At Kaiaua...

One of my favourite places as you already know.
Kaiaua is on the Firth of Thames and I'm looking East over at the Coromandel Peninsula.
It's another beautifully fine day. And yes, I've just laid the flounder net and the tide is on it's way in. Listen, you can hear it shishing it's way ashore.
So all we have to do now is wait.
That shouldn't be too hard...

Just Hanging Out...

Just hanging out at one
of my favourite spots for a few days.
The sun is shining and a flounder was scheduled to swim into my net around dinner time.
If I'd bothered to put it out...

Congratulations...

As is customary, Her Majesty The Queen sends her loyal subjects Congratulations on attaining One Hundred status...

Dear Keith.
My husband and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on reaching this memorable milestone of having one hundred 'followers'.
It took me a while to get that many and for God's sake, I was born to greatness. My followers were ready and waiting to be lead but you dear boy have had to write this silly blog for the last eighteen months.
Sometimes I read it and honestly you make me laugh so much I nearly wet myself.
Must go now and take the dogs for walkies.
Best Wishes.
Elizabeth E.R.

A Day Of Rest...

After four days of total enjoyment with friends old and new at 'Another Laidback Bedford Rally',
it's time to relax for a while.
This wonderful piece of outdoor furniture with mosaic inlays looks just fine for a time in the sun.
A coffee and a blueberry muffin perhaps.
What are you up to...

Not Only But Also...

The fabulous 'Big Beddy Brothers Blues Band' performed to the delighted diners who made their way through a mountain of 'Fish 'n Chips' last night before they all take off today to various places around the country.
Everyone who came in twenty three beauiful Beddies had a wonderful time and are looking forward to 'An Even More Laidback Beddy Rally' next year...

Even More Beautiful Beddies...

Men Doing...

Men doing what men do.
Discussing cake recipes, laundry techniques
and child care at the Beddy Rally.
But not all three things at once...

More Beautiful Bedfords...

A few more of the beautiful Beddys at this years very laidback rally...

Beautiful Bedfords...

Some images from
'Another Laidback Beddy Rally'
being held over Labour Weekend
at Paeroa Racecourse.
Beautiful weather. Beautiful people.
Beautiful Bedfords...

Not Over The Hill...

A beautiful day dawns on 'Another Laidback Bedford Rally' at the Paeroa Racecourse in New Zealand's upper North Island.
This three day event will see many old Beddy's prove they are not 'Over The Hill' as they come from all over to this, the second Annual Bedford Rally...

A Moment In Time...

The first home.
From whence dreams come.
Where anything and everything is possible.
Especially the impossible.
Now almost abandoned by the owner.
Loved by those who pass by...

At Rainbows End...

At Rainbows End,
just out of Warkworth,
there sits this delightful old wooden and corrugated iron barn.
Made even more beautiful by many years of studied neglect.
Good things take time...

The Very Zen Guitar Footstand...

So I said to my friend Ben.
You remember Ben, the wonderful artist and craftsman who created the Arthouse featured on here a few days ago, who's sometimes strange but mostly genius...
that I was going to buy an adjustable footstand for when I'm playing guitar.
We chatted about possible heights a stand might be and minutes later he presented me with this totally Zen footstand, totally adjustable to three different heights, perfectly portable and with no moving parts.
Now to the untrained eye,
this is just a block of wood...

The Final Blow...

You will remember this.
The once magnificent 154 year old Deans Homestead, featured here some weeks ago.
One of the casualties of the 7.1 earthquake to devastate parts of Christchurch, this, the home of Jim and Louise Deans is about to feel the full force of the demolition hammer.
The Deans family were one of the first pioneering settlers in Canterbury arriving in the early 1840's.
Farewell Grand Old Lady...

All Aboard...

Tickets please...
An old railway carriage has been turned into a delightful holiday bach at wonderful Whangateau. It's been there for years.
Everyone who sees it wants to stay and dream some dreams.
Right on the waters edge.
But tickets are hard to get...

Old Salt...

Caught up with my friend and Old Salt George yesterday when I visited one of my favourite places in the Warkworth area.
Whangateau is a place small in size and big in beauty with one of the most enchanting harbours you can find. George and Pam still live aboard their yacht Manola, tucked alongside the wonderful wooden boatshed that serves as a base and workshop for George as he works his magic restoring old wooden boats...