Edgecumbe instead of Awakeri

Twisted steel at Edgecumbe Fonterra Plant.

An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Ricter scale hit Edgecumbe in the Bay of Plenty on 2 March 1987.  This photo shows the damage it did to this steel beam discovered during reconstruction of the Fonterra Edgecumbe Milk Treatment Plant.

Mount Edgecumbe in the distance.

Our intention had been to go to a POP inAwakeri but Geoff being 5 minutes ahead of us drove up the drive to discover that there was no room for the 3 vehicles. We had rung the previous evening and assured there was plenty of room.  Yeah right.  No problem out came the trusty Travel Directory and we found the Edgecumbe Cosmopolitan Club only 6 kms away.  This is where we ended up.

Tucked in the corner of the carpark.

Opotiki formally known as Pakowhai

Weka at our POP in Opotiki.

Driving through the beautiful scenic Waioeka Gorge we arrived at our POP in Opotiki with a warm welcome.  A weka or two wandered around our vans with Honey keeping an eye on these strangers, not much different in size to her.

Wandering into Opotiki the next morning before moving on we found a town that too us was really down and out.  From 1840 until the early 1860’s Pakowhai was a booming port.

Bicycle built for one

In 1865 The Rev Carl Volkner set up the Mission Station after which the ensuring Maori Wars caused him to take his wife to Auckland for safety, returning back with Rev Thomas Grace he was hanged claiming he was a British Spy.

Courthouse Opotiki

Carving across from the Courthouse in Opotiki

Hiona St Stephens Church Opotiki was renamed in 1995

War Memorial in Opotoki, newly painted ready for ANZAC Day.

Next stop Awakeri.

First to see the sun!

That’s Gisborne New Zealand of course, the next stop on our safari. We arrived at Waikanae Beach Motor Camp to find two fellow Heretaunga members and one from Wairarapa Caravan Club. We had all headed north after the National Rally to check out the area

Our first view of Gisborne from the lookout.

Looks even better in the dark as it is lit with lights.

Look at all those logs waiting for export!

We spent a couple of nights catching up on laundry and other necessities. The last time we had been in Gisborne was for the Millennium Rally in 2000, its amazing how the town has changed since that visit.

Now who's that trying to hide?

A statue of Young Nick siting NZ 7 October 1769.

Look at all those logs waiting for export!

Not quite what it seems, this is a mural painted on the building.

Gisborne Railway Mural.

Derek had a long wander around the old Railway Station and track after checking any changes since the government mothballed the line after the last derailment saying it wasn't economic to repair.

Next stop Opotiki through the gorge.

A little bit of the Napier to Gisborne Railway!

At Nuhaka we diverted off the main road towards the Mahia Peninsular and headed for Opoutama where there used to be a camping ground. The camp has long gone but you are still allowed to freedom camp there.

Old goods wagons rusting away leaving their concrete contents exposed.

I suspect that these wagons have moved from where they were placed.

Along side the camping area is the Napier to Gisborne railway line which is now closed due to a slip. I decided to take a walk along the line back towards Waikokopu. It turned out to be a very interesting walk as this section of track runs along a cliff face which over the years the Railways have spent a lot of time and money in keeping this section open.

Erosion on these goods wagons tells it's own story.

Trying to keep the sea at bay.

Along this whole section the Railways have placed the best part of 100 old goods wagons, some stacked as high as 5 high and filled them with concrete in an effort to stop the sea washing the line away.  The photo’s tell the rest of the story.

Old railway goods wagons dumped to make a sea wall to protect the railway.

More goods wagons 2 deep and 2 high.

Opoutama Beach and Freedom camping!

First stop Wairoa Domain.

Here we emptied and refilled the tanks before having lunch. Geoff, Jenny and Derek had all wandered over to the local bakery while Robin replaced his tyre that had a puncture.

We then headed off to Opoutama Beach where we planned to spend the night.

Opoutama Beach and freedom camping.

Robin and Jenny knew the location from years back when it was a motor camp.  Unfortunately it had been sold to a Developer who intended to put in an exclusive subdivision before the collapse of the business for a number of reasons.

Looking along the beach .

The Mahia Peninsular with wonderful cliffs in the background.

These toadstools look good enough to eat.

Walking through this deserted subdivision were some lovely Maori carvings and totem poles, such a shame to see these just sitting in the derelict area.

Maori totem pole amongst the undergrowth.

Yes I love Motor homing now!

Watching the world go by.

Now I need a sleep.

Yes we’re back!

After a long gap in writing due to several reasons we hope we are now back on track.  We won’t go into our absence or even try to go back in time for the blog.

For Easter we travelled north with several members of our Caravan Club to attend a National Rally at Putorino.  North of Napier and somewhere we hadn't been since we attended the millennium rally 15 years ago in Gisborne.

Lake Tutira

Leaving Hastings in the morning and after all filling up with fuel we headed north to Lake Tutira for lunch on the way.

Lunch at Lake Tutira

National Rally. Spot us in the background?

Heretaunga Flag trying to fly alongside the others

The Club Banners

Five days of meeting up with old friends and enjoying relaxation time together.  Heretaunga Caravan Club had six couples attending this time, a number we haven't had at a National Rally for many a year.  With no internet and cell phone coverage it was a wake up to old times.

Three couples (us included) have decided to head north afterwards and have a look around  while we are up here. Next stop will be Wairoa to at least empty and refill the necessary tanks.