2016; January to April (part 2), New Zealand trip

I always look forward to returning to New Zealand to see how things are progressing and to catch up with family and friends. It was a large family re-union that initiated this trip to NZ. Helen and I availed ourselves of a new AirAsia route that went form KL to Auckland via the Gold Coast. It is a no frills airline where blankets, pillows and coffee are yours for a fee. We were not sitting together but in the same part of the plane where the fuselage narrows and three seats go to two on the edge of the plan. I had an isle seat but plenty of external legroom. We picked up a rental car at Auckland Airport and made our way through darkness, rain and commuter traffic to David and Lyn’s house where we stayed three nights. We watched rugby and shopped in a gender-specific fashion. We walked and explored a part of the North Shore in often dull and windy conditions. We took in a local film ‘Hunt for the Wilder people’ which I see is number 2 in the money accumulation  stakes for NZ films. I certainly thought it was a number 2.

Part of our mission in NZ was to explore Northland as a possible next move ‘back home’. We had targeted 3 bases; Kerikeri. Whangarei and Warkworth. We decided to work from top to bottom so drove up to Kerikeri. 

We were impressed with the Northland countryside and found a modest motel on the outskirts of the town where we stayed 2 nights. (Note; we found motels to be comfortable and reasonable but in 3 out of three cases...the internet was poor). We explored the township and surrounds and later went to the estuary to look around the Stone House and nearby chapel. We generally found some nice restaurants in the town for lunch but there was little open at night. Several restaurants had Monday off and others were ‘out of town’. In essence we liked the town but thought it was a bit on the small side. We looked at some real estate 'from the road' to get a picture of how far the buck would stretch. We dined in the evening at a local pub.

Next morning we checked out a nearby waterfall and walked for an hour along an adjacent track. 

We had decided to visit the Treaty House at Waitangi and have lunch at Russell. Weather-wise it was perhaps the worst day we struck. We were most impressed with the displays at Waitangi that explained the treaty and it’s implications very well, using electronic media to great effect.(the museum had only recently been re-opened). A Japanese film crew were filming in damp and challenging conditions.

A warrior with full range of weaponry

The real original flag

We caught a ferry to Russell and had lunch in the small but drenched maritime township. 

We returned to base later after checking out a ‘Man Cave’….which is essentially expensive, nostalgic junk and the local chocolate factory. 

100 bucks for 6 milk bottles!!

In general Kerikeri ticked a number of boxes but we were not ‘over the moon’. One of the criteria we have for a location is that there is good walking territory in the vicinity. I have always envisioned myself walking a dog along a long beach at that stage of my life.

The next day we travelled to Whangarei and found a nice motel that was ideally located to supermarkets, access roads and a needed launderette. On the outskirts of town we visited the Whangarei Falls and saw where Rayma, Lyn’s mother has her house in an adjacent retirement village.

The weather was nice as we drove along the northern roads overlooking the estuary. There were nice views and locations but the beaches were for birds and boats and not for me and a dog. Some nice little bays overlooked the oil refinery at Marsden point across the inlet, which we found less than desirable. 

The next day we travelled south to Ruakaka, Waipu and Laing’s Beach. The weather was great and we really enjoyed our morning walk along Ruakaka Beach. We later checked out the local shops and had lunch near a new development around a Marina near Marsden Point. The oil Refinery is not a highly desirable neighbour but it soon ‘disappears’ with a bit of distance. 

We later drove through Waipu to Laings Beach, which was also nice. 

In essence we really liked aspects of Whangarei but were especially taken by the southern ocean beaches…..my dog is excited too.

We had only one day left before we were due in Masterton for the family reunion. We decided we could not do Warkworth justice and it was possibly better to break our southern journey in Taupo. We planned to cross Auckland around 11am in the morning to avoid commuter traffic but were able to have a quick look at Omaha and drive through Warkworth Town. We were impressed but house prices were likely being inflated with a spillover from the over-priced Auckland. The surrounding landscape with its vineyards and orchards was particularly appealing. Despite our best intentions we had a very disjointed passage through Auckland.

Interesting cancer prevention method

We had pre-booked a motel in Taupo ahead of the Anzac weekend holiday. David and Lyn were also there in a different motel. We had dinner together at a Thai restaurant. We had previously had lunch on the way down at Lyn’s 'office' at Lake Karapiro.

The main target of our journey was the centenary of what is believed to be the first Anzac ceremony held in NZ in 1916. This occurred in the small rural town of Tinui and was conducted by our grandfather Reverend Basil Ashcroft. Basil was incensed at the number of local men who died in the early days of WW1 and with some volunteers erected a cross on the summit of nearby Mt Maunsell (Tinui Taipo) after the service. Tinui boasts a population of 25 souls but numbers swell during Anzac celebrations to the thousands. The Grandchildren of Basil and Evelyn, together with their descendants stayed in Masterton to meet and greet and remember events 100 years ago. The arrival of nearly 100 Ashcroft descendants made the evening TV news. Media coverage of the event can be seen here and another one here

We were fortunate to have friends in Masterton, Gary and Di Stewart, and we stayed with them for 3 very enjoyable nights. G and D’s nest had recently been emptied and we greatly enjoyed their legendary hospitality and the antics of their dog, Missy….a Fox Terrier and Jack Russell cross.

On the Saturday night a number of us met for dinner and drinks in a local pub. This was followed on Sunday with a dinner and function that was designed to introduce our families and mingle. It was extremely well organized by cousin Jenny and sister Lynette…..even the local fire brigade wanted to join in the fun.

The target on Monday was Tinui. As official photographer I had checked out the light angles and vantage points the day before. The tiny village church was the primary target and images were taken of the church and cousins. The commemoration service took place outside the Memorial Town Hall and was very well done…..starting with the entrance of the pipe band and finishing with a fly past of three vintage planes that belonged to the film producer Peter Jackson.

After the service many made the pilgrimage to the top of Mt Maunsell, which again was well organized with farmers lending a hand with all terrain vehicles. The current view contrasts with the image taken of the original cross erecting (not taken by me)

Nikki and I opted to check out Castlepoint Beach….which was impressive in its rugged grandeur. Nikki later rendezvoused with sister Alison’s neighbour, Ross, for her return to Lower Hutt. It was great catching up with her.

We had a farewell (to the day) drink with Alison, Gary, Craig, Eve and Noah before returning to Gary and Di’s for a magnificent roast.

Our final stop was to spend two nights with Lynette and Doug at their house in Omokoroa. Alison, Gary, Craig, Eve and Noah also headed there. It is a rare privilege …or astute planning …... to  sample two of the most legendary hospitalities on this planet within 5 days. A day was mostly consumed with in travelling from Masterton to Omokoroa and we met with Alison and son Gary in Taihape for a coffee and croissant.

There is a Kingfisher on the sign

We had one full day in Omokora and we targeted a visit to Gary Stewart’s dear Mum who had recently established herself in a home. Her husband Ron who had recently had his 90^th birthday was holding out in their apartment, which is about 5 minutes walk away (10 minutes with a walking stick). Gary’s Mum was pleased to see us but looked like she had finished second in a cage fight……due to several falls around the bathroom and bedroom. We next visited Ron and were pleased to hear he was about to move to the home with his dear wife where they would have an apartment with a view not too dissimilar from that from their residence.
The evening saw a great dinner with Evan, a friend of Craig’s as a guest.

After a nice morning walk it was time to set off for Auckland and our return journey.

The trip was not without incident as Helen had her watch stolen from a tray at the security x-ray at KLIA2. Her enquiries looked to be fruitless, even with the aid of CCTV, until the watch was mysteriously returned to her, as the plane was ready to take off for Penang.

It was a very enjoyable break and so good to catch up with cousins and their kin. We also have some good ideas of where we might start looking for the next phase of our life together. The only negative aspect is that we realise once again how cheap living in Malaysia is. The price of petrol in NZ is almost 300% higher than Malaysia!!!!