Tuesday continued

Our day was not finished yet. David had plenty more interesting places to explore - 'Did we want to drive through a river?' - Well not really - we don't want the old girl to conk! (The Landrover, I mean.)



We crossed this road bridge over the Tongariro River, to explore some tracks in the Kaimanawa Forest.



A short walk led us to this swing bridge high up over the Tongariro River. We were then in a really lovely forest. Camping areas with minimal facilities were hidden amongst the trees. There were various tracks, and we even came across a large group just setting out white water rafting down the Tongariro river.



The Tongariro River is part of the Tongariro Power Scheme which has canals, dams and tunnels supplying two power stations, Tokaanu near Turangi and Rangipo. Rangipo has been built underground just downstream from that road bridge and waterfall above. It is all managed by Genesis Energy.

Looking back up to the road bridge.

On the way home we drove through the Tongariro River ford just North of Turangi. Water was only about a foot deep, but it was a first time for us! David walked across first to check the bed and the depth. It had been a very full, enjoyable day.

Wednesday

Wednesday morning, Miriam and Ken arrived for breakfast. Ken's broken leg is now better, so they are enjoying being back on the bike after a number of months of no riding.



Heavy rain was forecast, so we set off home just after midday.

Rover Roams Ruapehu

Boxing day, Doug and I set off in the Landrover to pay Christmas visits to my sister (and family) in Taupo, then to travel on further around the lake to my brother and sister-in-law at Motuoapa.

We had a pleasant trip - the road wasn't too busy - and had our usual coffee and lunch stops along the way.




Monday morning we awoke to drizzle and heavy cloud. We really hoped that the cloud would lift, so that we could proceed with our plan that was to travel down the Desert Rd, then take the Tukino turn off and make our way to the Tukino ski field on the eastern side of Mt Ruapehu. (The turn off is to the right, close to the highest point of the Desert Rd, before you reach Waioruru.)

The cloud began to lift, so
we were hopeful that we would get a nice view of the mountain before too long.

So far the road was 'a piece of cake'. There were rough patches but nothing compared to our previous outing.

Finally we reached the gate. We were quite expecting that our trip would end here, as you need to get a key from DOC to continue on up to the ski tow. It was a nice surprise to find the gate unlocked, so we were able to start on the 'real stuff.' There were impressive views over the edge! Most parts of the road were pretty good. The banks were steaming as the sun warmed them.




The mountain continued to clear as we climbed.

Finally we reached the end of the road. There were two ski huts here. We could see the ski tow, over a valley to the right.




To the left was the valley down which the most recent (2007) lahar travelled from the crater lake. See video here.




Very soon the cloud began to descend again - we had been very fortunate to have caught this small window of beautiful clear views.




After a picnic lunch, we made our way back down the mountain, stopping once to admire the alpine flowers.

Landrover Christmas Forest Run & Lunch

After an early start, we met up at BP Papakura at 8.30 a.m. The Landrover members had obviously taken notice that there would be a prize for the 'Best Christmassy Decorated Landrover.' Families began bringing out the tinsel and Christmas stockings as soon as they were safely off the motorway. The third photo here shows a 'Forward Control' landrover resplendently decorated with a Christmas tree, and wooden outdoor chairs.


We set off at precisely 9:00a.m. and enjoyed a pleasant run to Waiuku Forest.



When we reached our destination, the drivers leapt into action, letting air out of their tyres. Apparently 25 psi is the optimum pressure for travelling well up and down sand dunes. Doug had no desire to let air out of his tyres - he was running at 28 psi and felt that would be fine. (How do you get all that air back in again before you travel home???)

The letting out of the air.




Then the briefing........I began to get a tad anxious. 'The Black Forest' was mentioned; 'Killer Hill' 'The Rifle Range' 'Paper Road' and worst of all the track where they would be at the top of the hill to make sure that our wheels were in the correct tracks because we wouldn't be able to see where we would be going. "Try and catch a glimpse of the sea, as you go over the top!"(Reminded me of Blackadder and Famous Five!)

I hopped out and took photos of Doug as he disappeared. Unfortunately by the time the last rover drove past me, I realized that I would have to hitch a ride or be left behind.



Once again on board, we approached our next challenge - I'm not sure whether this was the famous 'Killer Hill' or not. We thought that we would never get up. Three attempts and we were forced to call for help. Our rescuer wasn't keen on getting too close. He remained at the top and let down two tow ropes which he then joined to our long snatch strap. After a couple of attempts with much flinging of mud, we slowly made it to the top.



This is not girl stuff!



At various places along the way, we stopped while the drivers 'played'. One man was determined to get up this bank. He tried and kept trying, until he achieved it. Note the black smoke! There were mud puddles to 'play in' for those so inclined. We'd parked up to watch by this time - actually we were getting a bit hungry - it was long past lunch time. Time to move on.



A welcome stop to admire the view toward Waikato Heads. 'Coffee Time', they announced. We were so pleased that we had taken along coffee and a snack. We were not finished yet! Time to move on. I recalled that we hadn't yet done 'the brow of the hill where you can not see what is coming, don't forget to look at the sea' that was promised earlier.

Ha ha they kept the best for last! We lined up and watched each Rover make a sharp turn right, then attempt to climb a very steep hill. Most took more than one go, sliding back, then taking a flying run at it. After our previous experience I was dreading 'our turn'.

We did our usual 3-4 points to do the sharp right hand turn at which point I hopped out and walked up. Doug gave it 'lots of wellie' and up he went. It stuck at one point but eventually got there, and I hopped in for the dreaded descent. The guys at the top helped us to get the wheels lined up and down we went. The photo doesn't really do justice to the gradient - note the tiny people at the bottom.



At last everybody's tummies were rumbling and it was time to find our way back to the main road.

We ended up at Murray's Tractor Museum, Waiuku for a barbeque. (3.30 p.m. by now!)

The final 'event' for the drivers was to get the air back in those tyres, while the women and children enjoyed talking to the llamas.



Quite a day!

Te Aroha Rover Ramble

After a busy week, we were both looking forward to a day out. We consulted the North Island 4 WD book, and decided to try a one-lane dirt road between Ohinewai and Highway 27. It wasn't too bad - gravel but a good surface. You can see the grass centre 'marking ' in the first shot. Doug was glad not to meet any budding rally drivers! I found myself muttering, "Pull on that wheel!" on some of the bends. Not a great lock on the vehicle, and there were some spectacular drops over the edge.



Here is the view from the summit.



Rain started as we were having a cuppa at the summit so we scuttled into the back. This photos shows the 'entertainment centre' - CD stacker to the left! I'm not sure if all of the speakers work.

We then drove on to Te Aroha, with the intention of a driving up the access road to the top of Mt Te Aroha. We were disappointed, yet again (remember our trip to Meremere?) to see the following sign.



Oh well - I was keen to visit some of the beautiful buildings I had spotted earlier.

I had never explored Te Aroha before. It has the most intact Victorian and Edwardian Spa in NZ. The building in the third photo is now the museum. Doug was interested to see if he could find out any more about his Grattan line. (His gt-grandfather Thomas Arthur Grattan (1851-1928) and his gt-grandmother Ellen Grattan nee Gorton (1857-1962) had lived there from 1880, before the town was even named.)

You can hear a 30 minute interview with Ellen Gorton about her trip from Otahuhu and her life in Waihau and Te Aroha.




(Back in 2007, we had visited Thomas Arthur Grattan's birthplace in Ireland, it was Phillipstown, Kings County, now it is Daingean, Co. Offaly, reverting to its Irish name after Irish Independence.)

Before leaving, we visited the local cemetery to see if we could find where Doug's Gt- Grandparents had been laid to rest.



We found Thomas Arthur Grattan's grave. He died 27th March 1928 aged 80. Beside his grave we found a headstone for Marion Jean Grattan, aged 7 who died 19th March 1935. She was Edward (Ted) & Ruby's daughter. Ted was their 9th child and the youngest. Doug's grandmother Isabella was the eldest child, b 1880, d 1926 aged 46.

We took a slightly different route home, taking a small detour to buy some Pokeno bacon and to enjoy an icecream.