Riding the Motu track day 2

14 March

Setting off from Toatoa farm

There was more climbing up gravel roads to Papmoa summit (660m) but it wasn't as hard as yesterday.  From here it was mostly well-earned downhill riding!

The start of the Pakihi track - a very enjoyable downhill single track ride back towards Opotiki

Lunch stop at Pakihi hut

The only swing bridge on this track

Typical trail scenes

We returned later to the bridge where the Motu ride starts at Opotiki, to take more photos.

Riding the Motu MTB track day 1

13 March - We left our car at Opotiki and started our ride along the coast - a fun and easy ride along the sand dunes with one detour onto the beach along the way.

We then headed inland riding on gravel roads and climbing into the hills.  It was a hard climb to Meremere summit (460m).

We arrived at our farm stay at Toatoa farm - the garden was delightful

View from the house

Our hosts, Maxine and Bob (right).  In the centre is a friend Tom who turned up from Taupo to help with shearing the sheep.  We were given a warm welcome and were fed with a generous dinner and breakfast.  In the morning Maxine gave us a packed lunch for the ride on day 2.

East Coast holiday - the start

10-11 March, our East Coast holiday begins with a drive to Gisborne and then through the Waioeka Gorge to Opotiki the next day

The Te Reinga falls on a quiet back road between Wairoa and Gisborne

A detour to a freedom camping area near Tiniroto to find a geocache

Quite a winding road!

View of Gisborne 

The Waioeka Gorge was closed in March 2012 by a huge slip.  It was being inspected by some workmen as we drove by.

Power Plant

Saturday evening 8 March.  Cecily, Mark, Isla, Brielle, Owen and I went to the Wellington Botanical Gardens at the top of the cable car to visit "Power Plant" - a light and sound show.  We spent about an hour walking around enjoying the coloured lights and quirky sounds around us.  Cecily has also put these photos on her blog - Adventures with Isla and Brielle.

 

Visit to Wellington 8-9 March

At home on Saturday afternoon

Brielle has an impressive collection of dolls

Isla painted her face - scary??

Then off to Lyall Bay school to play at the playground on Saturday afternoon

Sunday morning - Isla's football team is coached by Mark - warm ups in progress.

Now the 20 minute match - that's Isla attacking

It was exciting to watch and Isla's team won 1-0!

A couple more photos taken while Isla was warming up with her team.

Another overnight tramp - Mitre Flats hut to Atiwhakatu hut

4-5 March - Our same group as last week, minus one, set off for another overnight tramp.  This time we drove south past Masterton.  We left one car at the Holdsworth road end and took the other to the start of the Mitre Flats hut track.  It was a four hour walk to the hut.  The rain held off and just started as we arrived.

Mitre flats hut

Inside Mitre Flats hut

Day 2 - raincoats on, but it was mostly quite light rain

Swingbridge across the Atiwhakatu River

Astelia in flower

We arrived at Atiwhakatu hut at 2.30pm after a six hour walk.  It was empty and welcoming so we decided to stay the night.  Unfortunately a large school group of 22 children and 9 adults arrived at 4pm.  We had no choice but to pack up and walk out in the rain to the Holdsworth road end.  Fortunately it is an easy two hour walk back to the car park.  We drove back to our first car and were home about 8.30pm.

An overnight tramp to Burn hut

25-26 February.  Six of us and four dogs headed in to Burn hut which is in the Tararuas behind Shannon.  It was a long, slow drive into the hills past a series of dams and lakes for the power scheme that was developed here between 1920-1924.  The power station is still operating.

Starting at one of the dams

Getting ready to camp outside the hut

My tent, Bev and Gary slept in bivvie bags with their four dogs sleeping outside too.  It was sunny when this photo was taken but the night turned cold and windy. We were all warm enough though and my tent stayed up!

Burn hut - small but quite modern

Four beautiful and well-behaved dogs from left Mindy, Pip, Gemma and Fay.

We came out at this dam site.