Day 9 Whirlwind tour in Coromandel Town

Day 9 Whirlwind tour in Coromandel Town

    I did get some decent sleep the night before and was up bright and early to make the only full day of Coromandel Town.  The day was spectacular as there was very little in the way of cloud cover and I was up around 730 in the morning ready to walk into town and see the sights. I was off and one before my roommates were even awake. My first port of call was to have breakfast and I found that to be very satisfying, bacon and eggs with a coffee that would set me up for some of the day. By the time I ate I was rearing to go and hit the road with enthusiasm. The fuel cells had been filled and I was wanting to make my way to the Driving Creek Railway, which was hand built. More on that later..

I was still taking photos of the landscape that was Coromandel Town. It wasn’t much to see, but she is a pretty little town and I think I was up and moving before many of the tourists thought to unlock their car doors and take sleepy driving tours missing the unusual tourist attraction to their destinations. I was following some of the history to Coromandel as I was taking pictures of the older buildings in town on my way to the trainline. I did find some sheep that I was calling wifi sheep for the internet as a joke, because I was having so much trouble in Auckland with the internet as it kept cutting me off. That is my reason and I’m sticking to it. I like saying I found internet sheep that give us all internet signals. I was following my guide that I had picked up once I had eventually found the information centre. I had to pass most of the historic buildings on my way to the railway.

Some of the buildings I had walked past the day before including the Masonic lodge. I don’t care what people think about them as they were big deal in New Zealands past and you can find headstones all over the country with their symbol somewhere. People can give you conspiracy theories and all that, but I digress. I did find out that I was thinking the wrong thing when I seen a rusty sign for Fir Lawn House. I thought it meant the house had burnt and no entry. You couldn’t tell it was a historic house as the lawn was over grown, but today I did see the house, but it looked like it was falling apart and according to the guide fire damaged. The house was owned by a wealthy man called Frederick Wooliams in 1874. The Masonic house was built in 1898, which is Lodge 17 of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. I am only going to list some of the locations not all as my fingers would be tired. St Andrews Presbyterian Church was built in 1873 and the first one in the area of that denomination. I was fascinated by the former Coromandel Hospital as t was such a large building. It had been built in 1898 and closed in 1994, also for several years from the beginning staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. Outside of James Homestead I was nearly hit by a kid on a pushbike while I was looking in the guide and about to take a photo. All I was doing was standing in the one spot and I think I taught the kid a new word when he missed me my millimeters. I was angry at the kid for a couple of minutes before I let that go while wandering. The James Homestead had been built in the 1890s. Another thing I found was a drinking trough, which marked the site of the Tramways Hotel during the 1870s.

I found the pottery and trainline after I wandered up the Driving Creek Road. By this time I had walked pretty far and there would be plenty more walking in my day, but this wouldn’t be walking. I would be taking the train up the hill that was privately owned and had been worked on since the 1970s. The train would take you to a lookout that was called the Eyefull tower, which I later found I couldn’t walk to anymore from the bottom. The main function was to get the clay for the pottery stuff and was still being made today from the hills. I think its the only narrow gauge line in New Zealand and the lines were bought off the government, but now have to come from South Korea. The train takes you on a magical tour and is wonderful as you can see tunnels and sculptures made by potters who have visited. The Eyefull Tower does command really good views of Coromandel Town and the water. We did find out the owner had to open the line to the public through the bank orders as he had a little money issue he needed to sort out. The Coromandel ranges had been plentiful with Kauri and other trees in the 1800s, but logging and farming had wiped it all out including the native animals. Now it had been replanted with native plants, well the area owned by the pottery place.  The only problem now is its got a pest problem with possums and stoats, which is why there are no birdlife sounds. There are down the bottom in an enclosed area, but that is it. It was a great train ride especially when you find they make the trains as well and there were two trains running at the same time. The driver had to change the tracks himself, which shows the trans were not that big at all. Afterwards I decided to call into a cafe that was just down the road from the Driving Creek Railway for lunch and another coffee. I got free wifi too, which I took advantage of to see what was happening online.

After lunch, I headed to the one place I was wanting o visit and that was the Gold Stamper Battery. I knew you could get tours of the place and I turned up within the time frame for them to begin. Sadly I was the only one who was there and they were not going to do the tour with one person, but if there were several more they would. I got a talk about the mine and the mines in the area. I was surprised that the walk I had taken yesterday had man mines located throughout the area and was riddled with tunnels. One of the mines was where they dumped the waste into the sea, but half the gold went there too, so the group is going to be looking there soon. Gold mining between Australia and New Zealand began within a year or so of each other and the locations for gold being found that are marked happen to be in the wrong locations including at the Gold Stamper in Buffalo Road. I was told the storm the week before had flushed the rivers and you could still find little bits of gold and it was sill being found as there was something like 3 billion worth of gold in the area to be dug up. I did try my hand at panning for gold and only tried for near an hour before thinking I had seen too many rocks, though i could have seen gold and I think I seen specks, I don’t know what to do with it. I went down the hill wandering the cemetery though many others I have had more enjoyment out of it though I think the day was slowly getting to me. I didn’t find too much in the cemetery, but I didn’t mind it.

Off I went with the plan to head back into town and to the caravan park to get my clothes washed as I thought I would need them done before I left the next day. I wasn’t sure of what time I was getting the bus, but thought I better get breakfast from the supermarket just in case I would starve. I was following my map and seen a trail nearby called the Success Track. I thought this was pretty cool to walk up the track that I could make names out of Success and that was exactly what it was. I was going to join up with another track instead of ending up in the Coromandel Ranges. That never happened as I had some planning issues. I had missed the off shoot of the other train and ended up unwittingly following the Kaipawa track that would take me to Driving Creek Road near the railway. A 2 hour walk one way that I was taking and had my ipod for company too. The track wasn’t all smooth sailing as I did find several parts slippery especially with it going green and one part was partly washed out. I did get spectacular views of the coast and also ducking under fallen trees too. I found a strange sight, a tractor had been left up the hill and plants had grown around it though not far away where I was huffing and puffing I found a huge landslip that had taken the path away. This meant I had to turn around and go down the hill. Something I didn’t want to do, but had no choice. I kept on having small slips on the smooth clay, but as generally alright. I knew I had only a limited amount of time before I would have very little light left as it was late afternoon. I didn’t want to get stuck at night on the hill with no idea of whats in front of me other than trees. I did make it down though I was texting a friend back home telling them I was on the path to success. Its a slippery slope when you are on the path to success and your way may have obstacles and dead ends. I do like that one myself. I can be quite random in my aimless wanderings and can sometimes be out of my depth and dont even know it. I I had someone with me then I might not have made it as far as I had and they would have told me to go back

 I was happy once I got to the bottom, but I had no water left either so I might not have gone near the Ranges with its lack of birdcalls for a wander. I think it was well worth the trek though and by this time it was nearly 6pm at night and I was getting hungry. I stopped off for a sirloin steak for dinner as I wanted steak and had a beer with my dinner. I was chatting to the server lady about my walk and the landfall. She told me I should see the info centre, but she will anyway the next day as she is a regular to that track. She said I could have been the first one to walk it since the storms of last week. I did see some footprints in the mud that looked fresh, but might not have been. It was pointed out that there was another path and you would miss it if you were not looking. I had missed it and found it on my way down the hill. Its alright as I have been getting plenty of trekking done and I am not that healthy either.

The washing is done, I have been showered and wont be leaving for Thames until 11am tomorrow. I will be stopping at Whitianga for a little while for the next bus. I wonder if that will drop me off at the hostel? I think I am very lucky I never booked the hostel for the usual full two days as I think I would be hanging for one day and there are no ATMs for me to get cash. Not everyone here takes a credit card. I want o stay in Whitianga next time for several days just to do the touristy stuff like Cathedral Rock tour by boat. I thought it was funny to be talking to a bloke who liked my marine rescue hat, while waiting for the train. He was impressed I am a marine rescue person in their 10^th year of service. I am also alone in my room for the night, woohoo no one else other than a cold bed that will be heated up anyway.

Day 7 Whirlwind from Whangarei to Auckland

Day 7 Whirlwind from Whangarei to Auckland

Today was the day that I would travel to Auckland by bus and a pitstop on my way to the Coromandal peninsula tomorrow. Well Coromandel Town that is where I will find some rich history in New Zealand. I am excited to be there in the morning after lunch as I can then sort out what I want to see.

Today was wet and windy again with heavy showers before I left for Auckland. Claude had put washing out and each time it was nearly dry then it would pour again. I was happy to be off again, but sad I was leaving my grandparents to embark on this new part to my tour of New Zealand. We did get a visitor in the form of an old family friend as Betty called in and we all chatted though it was good to catch up. We did have a roast lunch with the leftovers from the day before and we all did remark about time getting away from us.  I Know I was getting a little anxious as the time was nearing us to be leaving and I did catch myself doing a little bit of a pace and triple checking to see if I had left anything. I didn’t have long to wait for the bus either as it soon rocked up. I was happy to be on my way and it did rain part of the way down the coast to Auckland, it wasn’t too hot either as it was just nice. I did get a giggle as some people took down the sign for passengers not to go further than the sign as I think people wanted seats to themselves. The driver sent them up the front to other seats.

I did get another view of the super yacht once I came into Auckland and I was in the right seat, which made me happy. As I didn’t want to walk up hills again like the last few times I had to from Queen street as the hostel is up a steep street that kills you going up. I went the long way around via Pitt street and K’ Road. That was fun and loads easier for me with big bags on my back. I can go the other way to the bus as I am mostly going down hill though I could see what the other way is like. Once I checked in I went for a wander before dark. I did find the the old fire station built in 1902, which was later the St John ambo service building though now I think it was converted to something else. I found a computer repair shop that had heaps of Hello Kitty things and I had to take pictures. K’ road must be the entertainment district for adult entertainment as there seems to be a bit of that stuff there. I had a quick wander through the cemetery before having to get something to eat before heading back to the hostel.

I seem to be having internet issues at the hostel, but I don’t think it is my computer as I havnt had problems anywhere else and I did have come connectivity issues when I first came here. The computer connected with the wifi in Whangarei with no problems, so could be an Auckland issue, but I don’t like having problems like that. Its life though and you cant have everything at once.

Day 6, whirlwind through Whangarei

Day 6, whirlwind through Whangarei 

Today not much happened other than I wanted to go for a wander and sort out other stuff like my washing as I had ran out of clothes. I wasn’t sure of the weather and I wanted to head out quickly before lunch. The walk I did end up going was to the Tikipunga football club as I never been that way before and I had been warned of roving youth. I just seen locals floating around mowing their lawns and that was it. I did look at what was supposed to be a reserve and it was just a scrubby open space. Never mind and I doubt anyone would disturb me since I had my polkadot brolly.

Once home I was surprised by uncle Don who was at Granny and Claudes for Sunday lunch. We were all listening to the All Blacks play Argentina. All Blacks won of course and next week they seem to be heading to South Africa. It was really nice to have a roast lunch before heading out after an hour to take Don back to the home. It was sad in the nursing home and I can see why they locked the door for the dementia patients as one of the men tried to escape, but couldn’t. He came and spoke to us in Dons room and I told him I don’t have the code and he wandered off only to come back several more times. I am guessing this is to be expected.

The washing did get sorted and was nearly dry when I took it indoors to dry properly before the fire as it had started to rain outside, surprise, surprise. I didn’t do much else other than help put some pictures onto computers and to read a book. Today was really sedate and I think needed to relax. I did find that this year is the 150^th for the trains in New Zealand and I will arrive in Tauranga as they will have a display on that day. I am happy to catch up though with it and never knew about it until it came across the news. Every other place I miss it.

Tomorrow I am heading to Auckland as I am on the true part of my trip. Then from there I am going to the Coromandals.

Day 5 Whirlwind walkathon in Whangarei

Day 5 Whirlwind walkathon in Whangarei

The day started off pretty early for me as I decided to wake up at 7.30 in the morning. The weather out the window looked like it was going to rain and I wasn’t sure what sort of day it would be like when I had my feet on the ground, but I thought having plenty of water with me hoping I wouldn’t be too cold, but I had my brolly and rain coat with me in my bag and no map as I didn’t think it would be needed at all.

Once I was dropped off I started at the Hatea River Walk where it was around an hour from the other end into the city centre. That wasn’t my plan to hit an easy walk as I wanted to head towards the top of Parihaka, where there is a war memorial at the lookout. I don’t know what it is like as I have never been there before. I could have been driven up, but that would have been too easy. There were several tracks that do up the hill too. I did go up the Hokianga track, where it joined up with the Dobbie track near the summit. What I was interested in was the pa site that was located there. I did wander the track signposted for the pa site, but unsure what I was actually meant to look at. I did get stuck in several spider webs. On my way up I had seen Elvis going down while I was huffing and puffing though I didn’t get a picture. That is just my word to go on. Once I had wandered the pa site I went back down the path towards Muir Park bridge as I was wondering what that was all about. I should have read the map before going as that would have told me about the paths. Down I went being over taken by several ladies on their way down the hill. It did seem different to see a few women and only several men in the whole area. I was happy that they all said hi to me as it seemed to be something about New Zealand.

Once I was at the bottom I headed towards the bridge taking pictures as I went. I didn’t see any sign posts telling me if I had to go up the hill or keep walking as I did think that I had to go further on for Parihaka. Once I had gotten to the Muir bridge, I did see another track going up called the Drummand track. At the time I was needing the call of nature and had to find a tree and as there were plenty of trees I had no problems answering that call. I was wondering where the signs for The Basin, which is a part of down town Whangarei. I decided to go up the hill and some random lady who had passed me once before made the comment about running up the track, while I was going turtle speed. While going turtle speed a father and son did pass me while I was exploring what I had thought was another track, but it wasn’t.  Near the top I did find something interesting. I found the Dobbie track had joined up with mine, so I could have wandered up an easier track instead of going back down and then going up on another difficult track. I found the war memorial and took pictures from the lookout. I decided to walk down to the car park that did go most of the way up to see if there was a map.

After wandering a little bit I found the only map around was actually a BMX map and that was not of any use to me at all and I had to jump a fence to even get to this location. The only other explanation I could explain was to go down a track called the Ross track that said slippery when wet. I was umming and Ahhing over going down that was and decided why not try it. Dont know where I will end up, but we will see what happens. After around an hour of slogging down the hill, I was happy to find the entrance, but I had the impression that I would join up with the other tracks at the bottom. Any whoo I followed the street I was on and popped out directly across the river from the town basin, which includes Rayburn House and Chapmans clocks. I went for a little wander and ended up at some BMX park, so turned around as I was looking for food. Into town I walked and found... you guessed it a pie shop called Jaspers and had a pie called Stockmans. I would have had one called Billy T, but that included cheese and I didn’t want cheese. I did go for a quick wander, but had no idea what I wanted to do, so sent a text to be picked up at Rayburn house. On the way back I went into a bookshop and found a book I will grab later as I have two in the series of Twisting Throttle by a guy called Mike Hyde and this one is motorcycling through New Zealand. I want it and will get it before leaving the country. Gangs of New Zealand might be interesting too and I did check the book stocks in Rayburn house as they had a book I couldn’t get anywhere else last year I was there.

Once Claude picked me up, he took me down towards the Port of Whangarei, but there wasn’t much there to see as there were boats, but nothing happening as it could have been the weekend. Before we went to the port we did see the new bridge going up an stayed to watch a yacht go under the bridge. The car then pointed towards Auckland where we then took a loop road that would take us to the town of Maungatapere. The turn off was missed, but we were able to turn around and take the right road. Claudes idea was to visit Poroti, where we could have a drink. I shouted the drinks, but at $6.50 they were not cheap. The tide was out in one brand and I did see a sign that was talking about gang stuff including sunnies being warn in the pub. I was served, but no one said anything about my sunnies at all. Claude and I did watch the Rugby game of Southland vs Otago. Southland won, but I don’t understand the all in brawl that is Rugby and it looks like something chaotic. I did mention to Claude there was one place for me to visit and that was Dagaville museum, but that might have to be left for another trip as there are other plans afoot, but that doesn’t worry me either as there are other walking tracks I want to try.

Day 4 Whirlwind tour in Whangarei

Day 4 Whirlwind tour in Whangarei

Today I thought would be a little bit cooler and I was planning to give Claude the day off from driving me around the country side. I did sleep in though considering the time difference with home I have gotten up early and that includes when daylight savings does appear sometime this weekend with a big boot. I did end up with my jumper around my waist the entire time and I was wearing trousers too.

The walk I went on was truly random as I was wanting to look at Whangarei falls and then head along a path. I was wearing my hat and had my ipod, which I listened to the entire time I was walking. The falls I thought would be going really well after all the rain we have had and I was getting wet with the mist from it as I never really do have that happen on my last few trips to New Zealand and to this area. A path I knew about was something I wanted to walk and I always wondered where it ends. I ended up at another waterfall that was an old quarry and now the A.H. Reed memorial park. I found that there was a homestead across the park well was one that was there owned by A.H. Reed. I think he was prominent person in the town during the early years of Whangarei. I should check to see if he pops up again sometime. My boots did get a little dirty with the mud and there were not many people hiking around the area. Might not be as popular as going to The Hokianga to visit Tane Mahuta. It took me several hours before I went back to granny’s place and I had a quick pie for lunch with a drink at the Dairy.

Since it was granny’s birthday and her 80^th, I was going out with them to a restaurant called Gengy's. How it worked was you chose the meat, then the vegies, then the sauces and the oils after. The last bit you can add ginger, olives, garlic, salt etc. Its all you can eat and my cholesterol will go kaboom! The last time I went up I drowned it in soy sauce and garlic oil. The chef who then cooks it looks at me and I laughed. He did have to wipe his arms down and tools too Brad will fart garlic gas....... Experimentation for the guy who cant smell or taste. I suppose I will pay for this tomorrow. Seems in those restaurants you do not drink soup out of the bowl as there is the need for a spoon although the bowl does happen to have two little handles for that use. Confused, but not worried I am. Who am I to argue with the lady who shows us our seats. I do like how she explained how to sort out our food. I think I will be going for another hike out to another place tomorrow, which should do me all the good in the world to get back into walking. Mum told me where to go when i spoke to skype, but I didn’t know I could walk from where I am currently located. Now that will get me to all sorts of places.

Something I did learn to do was to use an ereader though plugging in a kobo into an Apple Mac is to me a pain in the butt as I have no idea how to borrow books properly, but I do think the reader will help immensely with book space and my tendency to buy books, but I really doubt that idea. I still love the physical book. I worked out a long way to help my grandparents and that should work, but I am used to doing things on a PC.