Chesterfield Online Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mycul on March 06, 2016, 10:11:02 PM
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Started out Tuesday morning with the itinerary.
Bus from Hasland to Town WAIT
Bus from Town to London WAIT
Bus from London to Heathrow WAIT
Plane from Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur WAIT
Plane from Kuala Lumpur to Auckland
Car from Auckland to Gate Pa
Total time from door to door about 39 hours.
Wouldn't say that KL is a welcoming place but this was the first sign I saw.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0026_zpszf5od56p.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0026_zpszf5od56p.jpg.html)
Now on New Zealand time
Slept solid for 12 hours but woke up to this view from the bedroom window (Mount Maunganui)
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0027_zps2zqnoc45.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0027_zps2zqnoc45.jpg.html)
Middle brother just had an operation for skin cancer (involving skin grafts) so he can't do anything yet so just spent the weekend meeting old friends out here.
I've been tinkering around the boat we have bought so it's ready for it's maiden launch, hopefully next weekend.
Can't do too much at a time as it is in the high 20's (my skin is turning from brown rust to brown tan but I miss the rain, NOT)
Already made enquiries about a mobile home as I intend to take off for a couple of weeks and see more of the 2 islands.
Tauranga is a bit like town with a centre and outlying areas. If you are so inclined look here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauranga
Will keep posting as I go along.
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Have a good time mate (y) :)
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We have family in New Zealand and Australia and I am hoping we can get there eventually but split the journey time by staying over a couple of nights before the next leg of the flying.
Enjoy mycul, and keep the blogs coming, I'm looking forward to looking at the photographs (y)
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Now I'm not saying that where I am staying is quiet but the highlight of today was playing a card game called 500 with 15 other players, all ladies.
At 66 years old I was the second youngest there.
Ah well I knew that Horlicks and an early night was coming my way.
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Just shows you can enjoy yourself without booze and fags eh ;)
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Just when I thought things were quiet I woke up at 02:30 this morning. First thought was Old Man's troubles and I needed the loo, so I went. As I was getting back into bed I noticed that the photos on the wall were crooked (one of my pet hates). Went back to sleep but woke up again at 04:30 so I went to the kitchen to get a drink. Next minute I felt a tremble through the building which I thought was the wind as the house is wood and metal and moves. Turns out the two events were actually earthquakes. Luckily they were off the coast and deep down so no problem. Ah well Rock and Roll.
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My 2 nephews are down from Auckland for the boat launch tomorrow. It will be nice to get it from underneath the covers.
Now I wouldn't say that Kiwis are weird but the eldest nephew brought down his wedding photos for me to see.
How about this for a wedding cake >;
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/IMG_0045_zpsszzegcw7.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/IMG_0045_zpsszzegcw7.jpg.html).
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Nice cake LOL (y)
Don't forget a picture of the boat ;)
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Your wish is my command.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0029_zpswejxnqts.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0029_zpswejxnqts.jpg.html)
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Strange wedding cake but each to their own as the saying goes - original though.
Take care out in that boat mycul - but enjoy! :)
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The boat got launched and we went fishing. Am now back at my brothers absolutely knackered and sunburnt.
After we deliver the catch tomorrow to all the OAPs it's time to chop wood for the winter.
When I say chop wood what I actually mean is chainsaw tree branches into suitable lengths and then splitting them into logs for the burner.
Can't believe I will be doing this in the high 20s temperature wise.
Itinerary nearly finished for my 2 weeks off.
Plane from Tauranga to Auckland.
Train from Auckland to Wellington
Ferry from Wellington to Picton
Train from Picton to Christchurch
Car from Christchurch back to Tauranga (via Chesterfield).
Onwards and upwards.
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It sounds as if you are having a wonderful time with many new experiences.
I don't envy you the journey home though, travelling can be so draining, our travelling time from home to new orleans a couple of years ago was about 22/23hrs - knackered me - never again.
I guess I am just too old now ;)
Safe journey back mycul. :)
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Boat looks cool, but sooner you than me ;)
Challenge 'two'. How about a picture of a train on the level crossing at Chesterfield LOL (y)
Or is there only one a month :D
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/ChesterfieldNZcrossing_zpswpuvtzdy.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/ChesterfieldNZcrossing_zpswpuvtzdy.jpg.html)
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Chesterfield NZ :)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@-42.6170174,171.0901343,14z?hl=en
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Chesterfield NZ :)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@-42.6170174,171.0901343,14z?hl=en
Cant see the Crooked Spire :P :)) >;
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Have a look on Google Maps, I couldn't see anything :))
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To bring everything up to date before I take off.
Since I have been in NZ there have been 52 earthquakes of over 3.0 magnitude. Shaky!!
Wood all chopped and split for winter.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/Wood_zpskgmngbrw.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/Wood_zpskgmngbrw.jpg.html)
The logs are 2 deep and all for this 2 & 1/2 level house. (The green and brown one)
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/House_zpskexytujw.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/House_zpskexytujw.jpg.html)
The Maori's have a good idea for old tree stumps, this one is at Gate Pa where about 2,000 British troops armed with cannons and howitzers and modern guns took on 230 Maoris armed with muskets and clubs.
Needless to say the Brits got their arses kicked.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/Gate%20Pa%20stump%201_zpshtco6dvf.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/Gate%20Pa%20stump%201_zpshtco6dvf.jpg.html)
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/Gate%20Pa_zps8fnoaagx.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/Gate%20Pa_zps8fnoaagx.jpg.html)
Hopefully will get Fly his train picture.
Looking at the maps I have and without too many detours I also may go to Derby, Sheffield, Lincoln, Rotherham, Hope, Scarborough and Wakefield. Also my favourite place name Pakipaki.
Sorry Fly but Featherston is too far out of my way.
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Certainly New Zealand is a beautiful country .
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It sounds as if you have enjoyed the experience mycul.
Where next?
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Sorry Fly but Featherston is too far out of my way.
S'ok, spelt wrong anyway. 'e' missing off the end ::) :P
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Day God knows what of my trip.
Been to:
Sheffield (couldn't see Meadowhall)
Lincoln (no Cathedral)
Scarborough (Feck all, not even a chippie or a one armed bandit)
Cambridge (shitty place)
Winchester (Bo, boddie oh bo)
Went to see Mount Cook but it had it's hat on, so I couldn't see the top (or Bagginses)
The lake that starts in the Cook range is a spectacular colour, but it is fecking cold (only tried one big toe), but the good side is I got to eat lake salmon that was swimming an hour before. Best salmon I have ever tasted.
Photographs to follow when I can find a PC that will read a sim card (third world country)
The photos include one that I took that directed you to a Ski resort (I was wearing shorts and it was 27 degrees at the time)
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Fly, I've discovered who confiscated all your E's.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0135_zpsy8vjhzhm.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0135_zpsy8vjhzhm.jpg.html)
Never mind perhaps these will do anyway.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0125_zpsyonmxiqp.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0125_zpsyonmxiqp.jpg.html)
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0121_zpsjc3ekgkg.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0121_zpsjc3ekgkg.jpg.html)
Fly recently put a google picture of Chesterfield Road on this thread, guess what? here is the real thing as photographed by my fair self.
By the way Fly it's a good job I've given up booze because I reckon this picture deserves a pint.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0117_zpscutf8tcf.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0117_zpscutf8tcf.jpg.html)
More pictures to follow when I have a chance and a decent PC.
Onwards and upwards.
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Well, what can I say. Well done ;)
Drinks on me (y)
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Nice one mycul (y)
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Nice one mycul (y)
What she said (wonky finger) >;
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What she said (wonky finger) >;
Cheeky Git :))
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Driving in New Zealand is a doddle as every road has a name plate even out in the sticks. The roads are long and apart from in the mountains very straight. But every now and again you get a funny. I was setting off one day when the sat nav spoke. A little bemused and not believing what I heard I turned round and started again and this is what I heard "In 89 kilometres turn right". Look in the top left of the picture.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0139_zpsmd0ta1p4.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0139_zpsmd0ta1p4.jpg.html)
The other thing is that you can be in the middle of nowhere when you come across a set of traffic lights, I mean these are so remote they are run off solar panels. The reason is that the road goes down to one lane because of a cliff side or a bridge.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0114_zpsugif0gxv.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0114_zpsugif0gxv.jpg.html)
It gets even worse when you are sharing the bridge with a train.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0120_zpsfjkbb7bg.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0120_zpsfjkbb7bg.jpg.html)
The scenery is absolutely stunning, imagine driving in the highlands of Scotland, the Derbyshire Dales and the coastal roads but on a much larger scale. The following 3 photos were taken about 25 miles apart.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0110_zpsqffft6do.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0110_zpsqffft6do.jpg.html)
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0112_zpssfvpyxvv.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0112_zpssfvpyxvv.jpg.html)
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0113_zpsslbsxgcp.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0113_zpsslbsxgcp.jpg.html)
I'm coming to the end of my trip having seen all the scenes from Lord of the Rings that I could get to. Still not seen any Hobbits yet but hoping to do so at Hobbiton.
And finally for you Arty Farty types sunset over Plymouth Rocks
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0143_zpsijwetwrf.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0143_zpsijwetwrf.jpg.html)
Onwards and upwards.
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Cracking set of pictures mycul (y)
Even when viewed in Malta on my tablet ;)
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Lovely photo's mycul thanks for sharing your adventure with us --- and -----
the next one is to where???????
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I've done sea to sea twice this year, North to Irish and Tasman to Pacific (o'k it's an ocean) so because it is 2016 and I'm 66, I'm seriously considering going from Chicago to San Francisco just to get my kicks.
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Time to go home.
Last day in New Zealand then it's back to reality. Have met some old friends and gained some new ones.
Finally found a Hobbit, it's great what you can do with 30,000 jelly beans.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0103_zpsfj9nspmp.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0103_zpsfj9nspmp.jpg.html)
To paraphrase a World War One saying.
There is some corner of a foreign beach that is forever England.
(http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s362/chesterfieldonline/DSCN0206_zps9vn3cxvz.jpg) (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/chesterfieldonline/media/DSCN0206_zps9vn3cxvz.jpg.html)
See you all at the summer meet up.
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Lovely mycul. It sounds as if you really enjoyed the whole experience.
Good on yer for setting out to see a bit of the world - we have and enjoyed every minute. We never know when we can no longer do it so ----
America has never really been on my to do list for staying but I'm sure there are some really interesting places to go and see - mind you the insurance a couple of years ago for us to just pass through was a bit steep - and we have no really serious health complaints, so take a thick wallet when you go and enjoy!! ;)