Innholdsfortegnelse for July - August 2023 i RV Travel Lifestyle

We’re no strangers to the West Coast. I made my first memorable trip there in 1973, eight years after Haast Pass was opened and the road was still something of a nightmare – a large section unsealed and metalled with tyre-wrecking gravel the size of oranges. Today the road is almost perfect – much of it is like driving through a park with a smooth surface, neatly trimmed edges and the most amazing variety of (mostly) one-way, steel-framed bridges. Of course, with the famous West Coast rain, it’s a high-maintenance region with the repair of slips and washouts pretty much a constant job. Anyway, this trip we took the Mercedes Sprinter motorhome and headed for Haast Pass. In 1973 the trip through the pass seemed endless, but with each trip…

The day we chose to drive north from Raumati Beach to Taumarunui via the Whanganui River Road happened to be the day that an atmospheric river threatened to drench parts of a country already sodden from the impact of earlier cyclones. But late last year we’d visited both the Ruapehu and Whanganui districts and had left knowing there was such a lot we still wanted to see. At that time we’d travelled the first three kilometres of the Whanganui end of River Road (NZTODAY vol 21), and found St Mary’s Anglican Church with its triangular spire and the fascinating façade of the Avoca Hotel at Upokongaro particularly interesting, so driving the remaining 64 kilometres to Pipiriki was on the to-do list. Whanganui River Road is so unique, so historic and…

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FRIED CABBAGE WITH NOODLES & BACON Shockingly good and super quick! SERVES: 4 | PREP: 6 MINUTES | COOK: 6 MINUTES Cabbage and noodles sounds like an unlikely winner, but this dish knocks out absolutely everyone who tries it! (I think the added bacon and parmesan might have a small hand in this.) A good finishing hit of black pepper and squeeze of lemon really brings the dish to life. I love this sort of weekday dish that packs a heap of veg but doesn’t skimp on flavour. Try it and thank me later! 2 tsp cooking salt3 cups (225 g) short-cut angel hair pasta NOODLE FRY-UP 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil250 g streaky bacon, chopped into 1 x 1.5 cm pieces (or so)2 garlic cloves, finely minced1 brown onion,…

As usual the conversion has taken just a little longer than hoped, but I did pause the project for two trips to Europe as well as some major surgery. I’ve not kept every single invoice for the materials used and the cost of the small amount of help, but I’d imagine I’ve spent between $20,000 and $25,000 on top of the initial $30,000 for the newly imported bus, so financially the project has been good. I’ve had a few minor injuries and back ache, etc. but nonetheless I have had great satisfaction with the project, whether it be designing, learning more about solar systems, buying materials, or the woodwork. I’m very pleased with the end result and am looking forward to touring New Zealand during the next few years. Power…

The Geraldine area located south of Christchurch is rich in historical and natural heritage with four scenic reserves and one conservation area to choose from. Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve, Waihi Gorge Scenic Reserve, Orari Gorge Scenic Reserve, Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve and Pioneer Park Conservation Area all offer inspiring opportunities to connect with nature and allow the enjoyment of many recreational activities. Talbot Forest Scenic Reserve is located close to the township; this small reserve has large mataī (black pine), kahikatea and tōtara, which are centuries old. The short walks in the reserve are suitable for people of all fitness levels including young children. Waihi Gorge Scenic Reserve lies along the north and south bank of the Waihī River, where the Waihi Gorge Campsite is located. This standard, online…

Safety is paramount, so before we set foot in the inflatable raft provided, we’re given waterproof boxes to protect our ‘phones and camera when not in use, then we’re briefed on how to sit, what to hang on to if necessary and what to do in the unlikely event of being tipped into the water. For many years my husband fished Doubtless Bay from his own inflatable dinghy, the inner tubes of which were made by Incept Marine in Taihape, so he has every confidence in the sturdiness of the raft, produced by the same manufacturer. We’re taking an Awastone Riverside Haven raft trip on the Rangitikei River, beginning with a road trip 12km up the road from Awastone to our launching place. Having admired views of the landscape including…

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https://youtu.be/bHq6h2iXQB4 The Kiwi Camping Adventures showcases a selection of privately owned classic and vintage caravans and a special 1926 International motorhome built by the well-known John Britten. We had the pleasure of checking out the exhibition, with special permission to enter the exhibit and take interior photos and video to share with our readers – our thanks to the management at Bill Richardson Transport World for this access. We arrived early so we could enjoy a breakfast in the fabulously themed The Grille café, before heading in to specifically check out the Kiwi Camping Adventures vintage and retro caravans on display. Over the years we have visited BRTW many times as it is an absolute ‘must do’ for visitors to the south, worth the drive from Dunedin or Queenstown to…

GAME ZONE Crossword by David Cass Game answers Vol 22 Word Search Winner Lorraine Checkley, Masterton Clues across: 7. Historic small town on the Hokianga harbour with harbourside buildings overhanging the water - fish’n’chips great here too! (6) 8. South Island lake fed by the Tasman River, with fine views of the Southern Alps and Mt Cook (6) 10. South Auckland harbour, with a long history for the Maori in myth and actuality, also now a major urban area (NZ’s third largest city) (7) 11. Important fruit crop in NZ, with over 80 % grown in Nelson and Hawke’s Bay (5) 12. Solar panels on your van ----are a good way of generating extra electric power (4) 13. Labour politician, PM from 1984-89, noted for his anti-nuclear stance (5) 17. The…

If you had asked me to recommend a true backcountry trail near Queenstown a decade ago, I would have been stumped. There were ample trails for downhillers, jump parks in which to get airborne, and a network of cycle trails for those preferring to keep their wheels grounded, but I would have directed riders outside the region for a genuine cross-country experience. Local cross-country enthusiasts like me used old-school trails that involved navigating steep fire breaks, following the deep ruts of 4WD roads, and flicking up poo while using high-country sheep tracks. Those days were rough on gear, tough on our bodies, and exhausted us as we ground our way up steep hill tracks built for powered machinery. Today the opening of the Coronet Loop Trail begins a new era…

About now (June-July-August) is the best time to see the camellias flowering at Whangārei Quarry Gardens. From the purest white Mine-no-Yuki to the almost-black Takinini, the colour spectrum includes many shades of pink and red. But these are not just any camellia. Whangārei Quarry Gardens is preparing to apply to the International Camellia Society to become a Camellia Garden of Excellence, because the collection of more than 209 plants is believed to be the largest single collection of fragrant camellias in the world, and certainly the largest collection in the Southern Hemisphere. Whangārei was home to two noted camellia breeders, Jim Finlay and Oz Blumhardt, and also Jack Tucker, a volunteer at the gardens since their inception. Jim Finlay specialised in breeding scented camellias, with world-renowned success, and in 2001–2003…

A Runner’s Guide to Rakiura Jessica Howland Kany RRP $37.50 Quentin Wilson Publishing Welcome to a tale of romance, adventure, and a treasure hunt which will take you through decades and landscapes, from the beaches of Rakiura Stewart Island to the battlefield of Monte Cassino, to post-war Paris, to the Twin Towers rebuild. Vast and sweeping in scope, this brilliant debut novel is braided with stories of love and war, loss, relationships, island lore, and the joys of running. Three-Wheeling Downunder Don Jessen RRP $44.99 Imagination Press The wind in your face, the freedom of the highway, the power and connection between rider and machine provide the ultimate ride. From vintage sidecars to futuristic trikes and three-wheeled cars, these vehicles capture the imagination like no other. This Realm of New…

With most children now in the last half of the last term of the school year, campsites are counting down to the busy summer holiday season. With three Bank Holidays in May, plus the week’s half-term holiday, my social media feeds have been full of wonderful images of people enjoying their caravans and motorhomes across the UK and Europe. Lucky people! At this time of year, as we get close to 2024-model trade previews (I know that Coachman and Bailey are both hosting launch events in the next four weeks, and Swift must be doing the same), dealers often start discounting any remaining stock. Look out for a live launch on Bailey’s YouTube channel in mid-July. This hasn’t happened for the last couple of years when the pandemic ‘staycation’ boom…

Here are some key points to consider Heating Capacity Determine the size of the space you need to heat. Consider the overall interior volume, insulation levels, and desired temperature increase you are looking for. On a cold day while plugged in, use an electric to see if it has enough capacity to warm your vehicle, look at the data plate to see how many watts the heater is and match this to what is available in the diesel heaters on offer. Talking to someone with a vehicle similar to yours with a heater already fitted may be useful. Heating the air or water or both It is common to use a diesel heater to heat the cabin with warm air. There are also models that can be used to heat…

Caspar starring in Caspar’s capers Woof Woof friends. It has been an arf-arf time lately, colder weather at home, crispy white freezing cold grass in the mornings even. I have to be careful on the slippery deck coz my paws skitter and slide me around if I don’t watch out, grrrrr, though mama and papa laugh at me when it happens. Not much yip-yip going on. I have been at home a lot, having lots of grrrr itchy, scratchy arf-arf problems on my skin, so having some pills for that. I was getting a bit yip-yippy better until we went on a road trip to Christchurch. Initially it was great fun. I saw my bed and couch going in the motorhome – yippee I am going this time – arf-arf-arf…