Where have we been?

So where have we been?  Rotorua, for a start – which has a love story to tell.  From where we were staying, I could just get a glimpse of Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island.  The Maori legend tells of two lovers.   Tutanekai lived on Mokoia Island and Hinemoa was a princess of a tribe that lived on the shores of the lake. Though deeply in love, Hinemoa's parents had forbidden them to meet. In desperation Hinemoa swam to Mokoia Island guided by Tutanekai's flute, and so began Rotorua's most famous legend. Arriving at the island Hinemoa rested in the hot natural pool where she was found by Tutanekai  - they married, their tribes united, and descendants of the two still live in Rotorua today.

From here we went to Hamilton to have our caravan serviced.  We stayed overnight outside the factory and there was a knock on the caravan door bright and early at 6.30am.  As they towed the van around the back of the factory to work on, we had gathered our things, a water bottle, put Gemma in the car, and off we went out into the dark and foggy morning.  There was only one thing to do at this time of day, we went out for breakfast. Scrambled eggs for me, and poached eggs with bacon for Robin.

Early morning breakfast

It was still early, so we drove down to Lake Rotoroa to sit and relax.  There were plenty of ducks and pukeko relaxing on the lake edge, waiting for the sun to break through and warm things up, no doubt.  Lake Rotoroa was formed about 20,000 years ago, when the Waikato River changed to flow out at Port Waikato It was originally  a braided river, but most of its braided courses were left as lakes once the river cut its present lower level. Peat then dammed and increased the size of the lakes.

Serene morning at Lake Rotoroa

We collected the caravan after it’s service and traveled on to Waihi.  The discovery of gold in the 1870s attracted miners from California and New South Wales, with production reaching it’s peak in the early 1900s.  The massive open pit Martha Mine sits on the edge of the town, it certainly is a sight to see.

Martha Mine in Waihi

Our next stop was at Katikati, where we found a handy laundromat.  On holiday or not, the laundry still needs doing.  So I sat and waited, just as well I had an interesting book with me.

It’s laundry time

Katikati was founded in 1875 by Irish settlers.  There are many kiwifruit, avocado and citrus orchards in this area, and the town has many murals painted on the buildings, showing life in earlier times.  We called in to visit my cousin Brian and his lovely wife Bev and had a great catch-up with all the news.

Katikati

At the moment we are overnighting at Omokoroa, looking over the estuary.  Such a lovely peaceful setting, and this is our view out of the caravan window.  How lovely is that!  There are all sorts of boats anchored in the water to admire, and the area boasts a very popular cycle track.

Omokoroa Estuary

Friends Andrew and Debbie live close by, and we were invited around to their home for afternoon tea.  And to say hello again to their two rag doll cats, Beau and Van.  These two had certainly grown since we saw them in the New Year, particularly Beau who is now a very big boy indeed.  And smaller Van looks so cute with his eye patch.  They were having fun hanging about  on their cat tower.  Later on Andrew and Debbie came back to our caravan and we shared a fish and chip meal together it was so nice to spend time with them again and catch up on all the news.

Beau and Van

Our own cat Gemma always seems quite happy in the caravan, snoozing her day away as most cats do.  She does enjoy a little walk outside with Robin too, and bounces along at the end of her lead, until a loud noise sends her scurrying quickly back to the safety of the caravan.  She likes to curl up in the laptop bag while I’m busy tapping away writing a blog.

Curled up in the lap top bag

I’ve done a little knitting while we have been away and some work on my stitchery project too.  This is getting there slowly, I’ve now added some leaves and yellow flowers since I last worked on it.

A little more stitching done

So that’s what we have been doing over the last week.  Traveling, some sightseeing, a little knitting and stitching, and catching up with family and friends.