Innholdsfortegnelse for September - October 2024 i RV Travel Lifestyle

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, with the excitement of the Olympic Games keeping us on the edge of our seats. A big shout-out to all the participants and the New Zealand team – they made us all incredibly proud. Congratulations to Dame Lisa Carrington for her record-breaking streak; she truly is a legend. Her hard work, dedication, and inspiring attitude have made a significant impact. From the thrilling rugby sevens’ victory to Hayden Wilde’s narrow miss to Alex Li, and Hamish Kerr’s impressive high jump, it’s been a captivating and inspiring display of sportsmanship. A huge thank you to all the athletes and para-athletes for your hard work and inspiration. The NZMCA Motorhome Caravan & Leisure Show is racing toward us, now scheduled for September 27–29 just…

I’ve always been a slow learner. Three years ago I took a mid-winter camping trip in remote areas of Central Otago. Sleeping on a full-foam squab in the back of the Nissan 4WD, but cooking, eating, washing up and having a glass of wine outside in minus umpteen degrees. It was fun, made me feel like Bear Grylls. But I got pneumonia despite thermal underwear and so many layers of wool that I looked like Shrek. My body has never totally recovered from that; I now feel the cold whereas before I didn’t. But, come this winter, one of the coldest we’ve had for a long time – so cold lakes and dams in Central Otago have again frozen over hard enough for old fashioned skating – and Audrey’s Mother…

Art Deco Festival The roar of aircraft in the distance caught my attention as five Black Falcons swooped down over Marine Parade, Napier in an impressive display of formation flying. The RNZAF aerobatic team made loops in the sky with a display of skills that flipped my stomach just watching from the ground. We had parked in a line of a hundred or so campers and motorhomes on the waterfront, a handy place to spend the night while visiting the Art Deco Festival. Walking down Marine Parade was like stepping back into the thirties, with elegant women in dresses discreetly covering their knees, wearing stylish hats and carrying boxy handbags. Men wore pinstriped double-breasted suits with wide bottom turn-up trousers, or stripped blazers with baggy trousers held up by braces,…

RV sales plummet – eco-toilet development – 2025 models coming If you were in the UK and wanted to buy a new caravan in August 2024, you’d get a very good deal. Dealers have high stock levels of new and used models but they’re just not selling as well as they were, although motorhomes seem to be doing OK. One dealer told me he regularly gets calls from people who bought a caravan during the Covid boom period and now want tosellit, but his forecourt is already full. The problem for dealers is that the 2025 models start production soon so they have to find space for them on their premises, while many, I’m told, still have more new 2024 models to sell than they would like to have at…

Woof-woof, pals! It’s been freezing cold here in Martinborough, so chilly that Papa has let my fur grow out long. It’s pawsitively perfect for frolicking outside, but inside by the roaring fire it’s a bit too toasty. We’ve had a tail-waggingly busy few weeks since my last woof. We only made one motorhome trip north to Auckland. Had a pawsome time playing with Charli and went up to Silverdale, where the motorhome got a new toilet installed. Arf-arf, I don’t quite get why they need a bowl for their business, but hey, to each their own! I had a blast meeting new friends at European Motorhomes. I barked and yapped at all the shiny motorhomes there. Then we visited our friend Geoff, who has a fancy jewel shop up that…

Wine isn’t my thing. Cute little towns are fun to explore, but it’s the outdoors and a challenge that I enjoy. Delving past the usual Wairarapa offerings took me through limestone, gravel, sand and shingle on a discovery of its southern natural landscapes. Bound for Auckland from the South Island, SH2 took me up over the Remutaka Ranges, winding down into Featherston and through flat countryside to Greytown. It’s my first venture into the Wairarapa. Before meeting up with a friend in her campervan, I step back in time with an Historic Greytown map in hand, providing details on 37 sites. All but six are on Main Street. New Zealand’s first planned inland town, Greytown dates from 1854 and most of the historic buildings were built during the late 1800s.…

The Antipodean Express Gregory Hill RRP $44.99 Exisle Publishing A railway adventure tracing a journey from the author’s home in New Zealand to its exact antipodes in rural Spain. The narrative recounts 89 consecutive days of travel with 33 trains through 19 countries. Anzac Ted (10th Anniversary Edition) Belinda Landsberry RRP $29.99 Exisle Publishing These days, Anzac Ted doesn’t score any votes at classroom Show and Tell, with his worn patches and missing parts. But when he belonged to Grandpa Jack, he travelled across the world to be a mascot for Anzac soldiers, giving them comfort, courage and hope that they would return home. The Flying Teddy June Dooney RRP $25 Copy Press Publishing Bored with life in Penelope’s bedroom, Tommy Teddy decides to go on a flying adventure. He…

A recent trip to Auckland allowed us to visit European Motorhomes Ltd at Vega Place in Rosedale. We had previously spoken with Glenn Hooper about the latest 2024 Roller Team motorhome models that had recently arrived, and we were eager to check out a few of them. European Motorhomes Ltd was established in 2019 by Glenn Hooper, Lance Hollows, and Kelly Illerbrun. They became an authorized dealership for the Italian-built Roller Team brand, with the authority to build a network of dealers to support Roller Team sales in New Zealand. The business quickly developed this network of independent dealers across the country. I spoke with Technical Service Advisor Kelly, who shared the team’s pride in the five approved dealers now established nationwide: Nelson RV in the South Island, Gazley Motors…

The prize includes the COBB Grill Pro Black Gas, Wok, Griddle and Carry Bag. Total prize package worth $475RRP • The COBB Grill Gas is the ultimate portable outdoor cooker which allows you to roast, fry, smoke, grill and boil anywhere, anytime. • Elevate your outdoor cooking game with the COBB Grill and cook gourmet meals in the most scenic locations.  www.cobbgrillnz.co.nz Entries open from 28 August to 31 October 2024, 4 Winners will be drawn on 10 November and prizes will be sent out in November 2024, winners names will be published in NZTODAY-RV Lifestyle Vol 32 Jan-Feb 2025 issue. Subscribe today ONLY $65.70 FOR 6 ISSUES + 6 FREE DIGITAL EDITIONS $77.70 VALUE OR $12 FOR 6 DIGITAL EDITIONS ONLY DO IT ONLINE SCAN QR  www.rnrpublishing.co.nz…

From the very first attempted translocation of kākāpō in the late 1800s, moving species away from people to remote locations has been the backbone of efforts to prevent the catastrophic loss of many species. While that heroic effort meant that species like tīeke (saddleback) and tuatara still exist today, it also meant that only the most fortunate people could connect with most of our native wildlife. In Wellington, this approach is being turned on its head. Kākā (bush parrot), once extinct from the region, can now be found in people’s backyards. Kererū (New Zealand woodpigeon) adorn most power poles, having rebounded from just a few pairs in the 1990s. Community groups are planting trees and eradicating rats, and wētā and bird numbers are climbing as a result. One of the…

KAIKŌURA HOP 2022 When: September 18–22 Where: Kaikōura www.kaikourahop.co.nz Come and join the fun at the Classic Car Kaikōura Hop. The South Island’s premier show for car enthusiasts. Enjoy a weekend of cars, cruising, car show, entertainment, food and fun and let the good times roll. NZMCA MOTORHOME CARAVAN & LEISURE SHOW When: September 27–29 Where: Mystery Creek Event Centre, Hamilton  www.nzmotorhomeshow.co.nz All industry leaders, plus a huge array of industry related accessory providers will be present, offering a huge selection of everything imaginable to make your outdoor lifestyle complete, or simply offer expert advice. DOUBLE PASS TO WIN HOKIANGA COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2024 When: September 27–29 Where: Hokianga www.hokiangacountrymusic.com This year is our 25th year of country music in Hokianga. For a weekend of country music and entertainment, with…

Is this the perfect length and weight for towing? From the multiple-award-winning Coachman Caravan manufacturers in the UK, the Laser XCEL 855 model is certainly a contender. Hot off the boat from the UK, the 2024 range of Coachman Caravans have landed and are now available from Gateway Caravans in Whakatāne. This popular brand in the touring luxury caravan segment has earned significant acclaim, winning the 2024 Best Overall Caravan Manufacturer and Owner Satisfaction Awards – a notable achievement. Melissa and Craig Growden established Gateway Caravans in Whakatāne in 2010 and are proud to be the exclusive New Zealand distributors for the luxurious UK-built Coachman caravans. They are also approved importers and registered service agents for the UK Swift brand caravan range. The latest 2024 Coachman Laser XCEL 855 caravan…