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SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER
Well starting out today, Sheryl and I up early getting things under way, cleaning, putting things away and making sure
things are all ship shape then we had to wait for the kids to arrive. And when they did we set off with Eppie in the car with
mum and Chay riding in the bus with me, I was following Sheryl, and we left New Plymouth and headed south. The day was a bit
rainy and blowing, but most of the wind seemed to be low down so didn't effect the bus to much it was hard going, some hilly
parts so stopped for a bit when it got to windy, had a coffee and then moved off again passing through Inglewood and Stratford.
Then stopping at a place called Kiaiwi, just out side Wanganui staying at a motor camp costing $23.00 for the night.
SUNDAY 7TH DECEMBER 03
Sheryl and I up early, coffee and then take the dogs for a walk down the beach, when we get back we are going to empty
the black water tank at the camp dump station, but the fitting was different, we left there about 12 o'clock with Chay sitting
up front in the bus, surprisingly went to sleep, Heading through Wanginui we found the going pretty rough with strong winds
making it hard going like wrestling with a bear, passing through Sansom turning down to Wellington we were now going across
wind, man was that hard going, long straight road ,pulled over for a rest. Sheryl rang and said she had somewhere to stay
for the night, she told me how to get there, but we were a couple of hours away still, and getting closer to Wellington the
traffic was non stop and I had to keep pulling over to let the traffic past, Finally getting closer to Sheryl. About 200 meters
from the turn off the bus came to an abrupt halt I managed to pull over and rang Sheryl and gave her the news that I had run
out of diesel Well she went off telling me I was bloody stupid, Sheryl came back to the bus then back to Otakifor diesel from
the petrol station only had containers for $5 worth and a guy reckoned that'd be enough. Back to the bus, put the diesel in,
no go. Back to the garage the guy said that diesel needs to be bleed. Rang state rescue no help there AA, no help they gave
me a contact phone no, eventually found a guy that'd come out and help .by this time the battery was flat so I thought the
generator would be good so went to start it but it wouldn't go finally when it did start it blew that much smoke it wasn't
funny then it splattered and stoped so I checked the oil and it was fill of petrol. Sheryl went and found someone to come
and help and he had a look at the generator and fixed that but had to drive back and get some more oil then tried to start
the bus, first he wanted to lift the floor because he said that there is a viewing platform in the floor in all busses but
I said it had been covered up by floor so he went back and got some ether engine start and then took the air filters off and
as I was turning the bus over he sprayed the air duct with the ether and then it started but just started only not actually
starting to go just turning over but after about 10 minutes it went yahoo the guy only wanted $50 dollars bloody great. Finally
on our way again we drove to where Sheryl had found a place to park, down narrow roads and over 3 one-way bridges
One was on a sharp curve and very hard to get round, parked up for the night.
Monday 8th December
Left the bus and drove into Wellington to see Sarsha and Carl, They have moved into the shop, pretty messy but liveable.
Carl came and went and he took Sheryl out to Repco to get a new vacuum cleaner as our old one had stoped working $63 for a
new one. Anyway while they were away the health inspector rang and said r a check, Sarsha panicked so we all rushed round
and helped clean things I was washing the big mixer and then started on the fridges, Eppie was cleaning down the middle benches
great job she did to. Then the inspector turned up more than ½ an hour early. Sarsha said just ignore her and carry on, which
we did but I said better not leave her out there to long or she will get pissed off, So we finished up and let him explain
it to here he came back after about ½ an hour and said everything was fine. Sarsha and Carl were going to Auckland to see
the 50cent concert and were leaving after work Sheryl said call in and see us on the way past, well at 5 0clock they turned
up, Sarsha saying ti wasn't what they thought it would be, much better they left and we went back to bed.
TUESDAY 9TH DECEMBER
We left the beach about 2 0clock heading into Wellington stopping and filling up with diesel and buying some oil. Moved
on into Wellington the roads weren't to bad lots of traffic a bit hairy driving round Wellington, lost Sheryl she was in front
and I was following her, I got the right turn off towards the ferry but then took the wrong ferry turn off and ended up down
the interislander, when I wanted the Blue bridge landing. Ended up in the car park, was deciding what to do next when a customs
officer came up to me and said the arse end of the bus was hanging out of the car park and they were unloading the ferry and
the big trucks would catch the ended of the bus he was very helpful in telling me were to go and how to get there, finally
found Sheryl and parked the bus, had a run round with the dogs and then drove to town to see where they had the showing for
lord of the rings.
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| Sheryl & Chay & Eppie outside theatre |
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| Chay & Sheryl Inside the Theatre |
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Went back to the bus and waited for the ferry we were boarded about 2.55 am drove on and then went in to the passenger deck
and watched a movie Sweet home Alabama, A bit of a love story but not to bad, arrived about 5.55 am which wasn't to bad drove
of and headed for Kaikoura which was a fair way away stopped there for lunch and then went and looked for a place to park
found a nice wee spot just out of town and stayed there for the rest of the day and night.
THURSDAY 11TH DECEMBER
Moved off to Maire's place getting there and parking up about 2.30 pm the roads are much better over here in the main
land Maire was pleased to see us and we had a coffee in the bus she thought it was neat.
FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER
Well Mum Dad and auntie Pat joined us at Maire's place today we all had a look round the bus and sat and chatted for a
bit Auntie Pat is Mums sister from the UK and she was going back on the Sunday. Sheryl and the kids came into town with me
and we went to the place were we were going to use our flyby vouchers, we finally found it down Colombo St we ended up buying
a 3 man tent and a new sleeping bag which was pretty good, we then went and got lost round the one way streets taking all
the wrong turns and ending up where we started we finally managed to find a place to do our washing and Sheryl went and had
a look at this second hand place and found the washing machine we were looking for $100 not to bad just need to get some new
fan belts for it.
SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER
My Birthday to day and Sheryl gave me a socket set, which I didn't have so that was good, everyone else gave me cards
so that was nice, just potted round as Brent went and mowed the lawns and used the weed eater round the place, said he didn't
need any help thanks. Later on in the afternoon Dad and Sheryl helped to set up the awning for the bus putting it up inside
out to start with but we managed in the end bit of fun. Finally getting it up and ready.
SUNDAY 14TH DECEMBER
Well Sunday started like any other day we all said bye to Auntie Pat and they got ready to leave, then we started to smell
smoke and Sheryl got worried and said we should get the bus ready to leave just in case what I didn't mention was that there
was a very blustery nor wester blowing which didn't help any, Brent turned up in the big horn and called to me get some shoes
on we may need to give some one a hand so I ran and got ready and we tore off down the drive and round the corner next thing
there was smoke and flames coming towards us so we took off back home and got the kids together and got Sheryl to drive them
well away, Brent and I got in the big horn again and followed them down the drive but by the time we got there the trees and
scrub down the drive were on fire and we couldn't get out that way so we drove through some paddocks and through a temporary
fence and down the neighbours drive then round to the front of Brents place just as a fire truck was going up the drive there
was smoke and flames everywhere Brent was worried about the house can't blame him really.
Then we went round to his back neighbours place and through the back on to Brents place getting there in time to help
the firemen with there hoses they were a big help and made the house safe, although Brent lost his out sheds with the boat
and caravan in them.
We were up early the next day helping to fix the fences putting posts and new wire up Mick Burns from down the road and
Steve Price as well as Chris bowman came round to help and we had it done in no time.
25 Dec Xmas Day
We stayed for Xmas day with mum and dad still there as well, Then Maire and family went to Golden Bay for a week or two,
and we went down with Mum & Dad to Ashburton to see Graham & Denis, Martin & Jenny were there to, so had a few
beers with them and ended up staying the night with them. Chris was fascinated with the bus and spent ages looking over it.
26 Dec
Stayed a couple of days at Caroline bay free parking plus a dump station stayed round Timaru for a few days
31 Dec
Went to the bay carnival in the evening and watched the music show and then looked round the games, saw Jonnie & Coralie,
and went and watched the fire works with them and had a good old gossip with Coralie.
1st Jan 04
We moved to Evans crossing and parked up next to the river and Jonny and Coralie came out for lunch and a few beers it
was good to catch up.
Jan 04
We went up to Twizel and parked up at the Fallstone reserve and drove in to town to see Barb and Steve they were surprised
to see us and made us welcome in there batch at the camping ground, spent most of Jan there seeing Maude and family and doing
a bit of water skiing
Veiw more pics here
CARRY ON
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