traveller

Te Akau Wharf

Te Akau

Tutukaka

People

The time came for a trip to Whangarei to check out the Hundertwasser Art Centre

Bonus that there was a Shane Cotton exhibition on too.

But back to more of the inside of the Hundertwasser Art Centre

And outside upstairs

And we stayed in Tutukaka, first time there.

Some friends Ken Downie, Greg Downie and Jenny Nicholls, published a book about New Zealand Bikers, and it is great, superb photography, and good profiles of the bikers.

Do check it out if you can. I know a few other bikers that would fit right in there.

Also there has been a history of Flying Nun the music label published, I got my copy gratis in exchange for providing photos, it looks good and detailed.

There is a launching for this on the 9th at 17:30 at Real Groovy in Queen St.

I have lent my copies of these to Bevan to check out for the moment.

Recently Feifei’s parents came to visit us from Sydney too. It was nice to meet them even with the language gap between me and them.

After dropping the books at Bevan’s place I went to Port Waikato to catch up with Robert Key, missed him, but Nikki and Annemarie gave me a cup of tea and pizza, very nice it was too.

Then I thought I would have a go at riding Klondyke Rd. to Onewhero.

A lovely adventure bike challenge right there. Glad it was Sunday and I didn’t get to meet logging trucks, in fact I only met 2 mountain bikers.

Great views, tight corners.

Those rails you see there really are holding the road onto the side of the hill.

First sight of what I think of as Te Akau. Right of center the Te Akau Community centre, the big building towards the left the Marae.

The Farmhouse of the farmer on whose farm dad worked and we lived, on the distant left with the red roof.

Looking the other way from there

Then the house we lived in.

Down to what remains of the Te Akau Village, The garage, Te Akau Transport, and the fire station.

There used to be a Post Office, and General Store there

the swampy bit back towards the East

And opposite the garage

Mike, still happy and able.

And inside the garage, I remember trying to be of use to him as a kid in the garage.

The fire station.

Then down to the end of the tar seal

That is looking up at what was the Parker place.

And part of why I went back today, was that I did not take any photos the other day when on Mangiti road,at the Ruakiwi Rd end. Below.

I went and tried to catch up with a couple of people but they were out.

So I scooted over to Hamilton and dropped in on Karen and Ian McLeay, have not seen them for ages, was great to catch up, must make the effort more often.

The route we took, well after we got to Mercer at least

At Te Akau Wharf

also there

and along the way

Will be working on this post, so come back.

Separately a week ago I met Aaron Kereopa, well truth be known I am sure I would have met him before, I worked for his dad in shearing gangs once.

Anyway Aaron is these days quite an accomplished artist see here Aaron’s Website

Meanwhile here are a pic of his dad on the left,

As a point of interest, that guy in the middle is Jackson Madill, Rank of Squadron Leader. Awarded the OBE, DFC, and Order of the Crown (Yugoslavia). Farmer in Te Akau! On the right Seamus, Hi Seamus MacDonald

Me as a presser on the left, and Aaron’s mum, Rangi on the right.

Back to riding, here’s Brett entertaining himself when we stopped so I could take photos.

And some of the pictures of that North Waikato landscape I love

And a couple more from the Te Akau Wharf

Fayes parents are here too, so we have been to North Head

Oh and we stopped at Waingaro Hot Springs for refreshment

And the have the rally coming there

From this

to this

The only constant is change I guess.

The “PM is a racist” sign is still much the same. Just has a youtube code now added.

It is still dark and wet outside.

Inside though there was a photoshoot. I think for vaping products.

So pristine interior.

Then the action.

I have been not taking enough holidays so now the company owes me too many days off and I have to take them.

I do enjoy doing that!

This week went to Duder Regional park.

It is south east of Auckland.

Thought these trees could have been Dr Suess trees

And this stuff was like memories of farm life as a kid.

Was a good day, nice lunch at the seaside in Maraetai on the way home.

Secret Spot Spa in Rotorua, Spa pools by the forest.

Rotorua was a bit bleak, I think Auckland was too.

But steamy and bubbly

With artwork about the place

Almost went to Blue Springs, will wait for another time, but love the South Waikato landscape.

Then Karapiro

Hamilton Gardens

And from dinner with my cousin Barry at CBK, he refreshed my geography of where his childhood place was, and also my grandparents place.

Toms and Audreys place (Also Barry, Terry and Colleen) 986 Churchill Road, Pukekawa 2696, https://goo.gl/maps/WqWeVbnQqPPB5jMZ6

What I think is the Murphy Homestead 938 Pukekawa Churchill Road, Pukekawa 2696, https://goo.gl/maps/QnFrLmWqPqxQqLZq6

Matariki is our new public holiday, derived from Maori tradition for the new year, the end of winter, Karnival and all that in other places I guess.

Mid winter for us, so I figure it should include mulled wine. Gluh Wein!

So yes!.

Today I have been out doing a gravel riding course.

Started in the car park of the Tuakau moto-x track

Then to Tuakau for lunch.

Really nice corn fritters at the cafe just along there.

Then of around the same route I rode last week really.

On the way to Port Waikato my gear lever came off though. Took a bolt from the carrier to put it back on.

Better check the brakes bolt.

Then out on the gravel roads with 2 instructors, 4 young russian guys and an englishman I think.

It’s supposed to be dirty!

A couple more pix from Passmasters