Tongariro Trout Centre - Turangi

Wednesday August 29th  - 2012

On Thursday we made the short drive over to donate 2 fly rods, 1 of which belonged to my dear darling dad and also one of Brian's and fishing vest that Brian purchased when we were on holiday in the Snowy River a number of years ago, we had decided to donate these items for the kids fishing at the centre. The fellow Brian had been in email contact with was in a meeting so we left the rods and vest and our contact email. He emailed Brian back and asked could the donations be used for the kids however for use in photos of the kids dressing up in fishing gear for their parents to take photos - this was fine with us and we will go back there to see him and have a look around. Below are a few photos I took of some of the surrounding bush and area - oh and the fisherman himself. It was a beautiful day.

Happy Birthday to our eldest nephew  - James Vallance Happy 21st Birthday to you James.

Turangi and surrounds - Day 1

Tuesday August 28th:

Once settled into the house at Turangi we went out and about. Brian made a couple of trips to the river so far no luck fish for eating, I did go with him one morning so that I could get some photos for him. We have been to Tokanau mineral pools and these are great,there is also a thermal trip you can do which shows hot mud pool and a pool of boiling hot water, you will also see the trout in the stream outside of the thermal area.We took a trip over the range on the way back to take some photos of the mountains and Mt Tongaririo was easily visable still steaming away from the 3wk ago eruption. The bottom two photos show a morning of frost - brrrrr.  Hope you like the photos will add more later - bye

Auckland - Rotorua

Tuesday August 28th - 2012

After a great night sleep we woke at 0830 to a clear and sunny morning all be it rather chilly. The day had arrived for us to take flight #2 to Rotorua, we had to be out of the hotel by 1000am and again as we had large bags we decided to get up and head straight off to the airport with the complimentary shuttle transfer. Arriving at the airport at 1000am we were able to check in again straight away and pay excess for those fishing rods for the final time, it was great to get rid of the luggage. We had rather a long wait for our flight to Rotorua as it did not depart until 1240pm, we went and got oursleves a nice cuppa and just spent time relaxing and waiting for boarding time. The flight was finally called and we boarded our rather small Beech aircraft (20 passengers + 2 crew) the flight time was only 35mins and flew at 12,000ft. It is a twin prop aircraft with 10 seats down each side of the aircraft. We arrived into Rotorua with just a hint of the usual sulphur smell that you associate with Rotorua. We were met by Rudi the guy from Pegasus Rental Car and after the formalities were over and a toilet stop we headed off south toward Turangi where we are to stay for 7nights at one of the police houses.

Aug-Sept NZ Trip 2012

Departure -  Monday August 27th - 2012

The day had finally arrived for our departure to Auckland from Brisbane, we left home at FKS - Little Mountain on Monday 27th Aug around 0915am as we had to be at Brisbane Airport at 1030am and knowing the Bruce H/Way the way we do for smashes and hold up's decided to head away in plenty of time to avoid any of the above. Once arrived the car was parked and all luggage loaded onto a trolly and we headed to the airport, not expecting to check in straight away so found the Air NZ counter open for just that to grea relief to get rid of the luggage as we have 2 large bags and Brian's tube of fishing rods that we had to pay excess for however these are to be donated to the National Trout Centre at Turangi therefore they won't be returning with us. Once checked in we headed off and got ourselves a coffee and filled out the departure documents ready for immigration and the boarding of the aircraft. Time had come for us to depart and it was great to actually be flying on a large aircraft - we travelled on an Air NZ 777 which was great, very comfortable and arrived into Auckland in just under 3hrs. We managed to get through customs and immigration at Auckland with no drama's and no lost luggage and made our way outside to wait for the shuttle to take us to our overnight accomodation at the Formule1 hotel. The room was small however clean and had all we needed, we did have to change rooms as the blind in the room would not stay down, I went and advised them at reception and it was no problem for them to change us - good service. Once we had got organised we went next door to a great restaurant for dinner, it was great very tasty well priced and great service. From there we headed back to our room and showered and got into bed and watched some tv, will catch up tomorrow when we leave Auckland and head toward Rotorua. Night all.

Nanango day trip August 12th - 2012

 The above two photos are of the "Blackbutt Range" there is huge earthworks going on here to hold back the hillside and re-align the road. Last time we came through here it was one way only controlled by traffic lights  - a year on and it is still going on, it is looking great and is a mamoth job, the hillside slide down over the road and into the valley below - you can see the hillside has been sprayed with fibre glass underneath this is layers of wire netting with drainage also for the run off.

 Above 3 photos show Jan and Trev's van and our BBQ lunch thanks guys it was great to catch up - see ya in Townsville.

Day off for us Sunday yippeeeeee, we had friends come for a visit a few weeks ago they were doing some house sitting and were leaving to go back to Nanango. Jan & Trevor Appleton we first met up with them when we were living at the Sunseeker Caravan park and have stayed in touch since they/we left there, Jan and Trev still go back to Sunseeker when they are staying in Caloundra. They are currently staying at the Nanango Caravan Park where they have been doing a little bit of work in payment for camp fees, so we decided when they were leaving us that night we would call out and see them before they head north to Townsville on the 15th August. It was a lovely drive out and we arrived there at midday and had a nice BBQ lunch and spent the afternoon sitting and chatting until it was time for us to leave for the 2hr drive home. We arrived back at FKS at 6.15pm feeling still full from lunch so decided an easy light tea would be the answer. Thanks Jan and Trevor we hope to catch up in Townsville for another BBQ and chat, in the not too distant future.

Almost time to head to NZ for a break

Today Saturday 25/8/12 is the really last time we have to get clothing washed and ironed and packed for our departure on Monday, we are flying into Auckland this time just for a change - not really. We are staying in Auckland overnight at the Hotel by the airport as on Tuesday we fly to Rotorua where we will collect our rental car and drive down via Taupo to our accomodation at one of the Police Houses at Turangi, we are staying 8nights and the main reason for heading here is so that Brian can do some trout fishing, he has wanted to do this for some time. After the 8days we find ourselves back in Rotorua and fly to Christchurch where we will be staying for 7nights with Yasmine , Adam and little Rory. Flying back home here on September 5th, where it will be back into work and everyday routine again once more.

Just a few things in the bags as you can see ( hope Yasmine has an empty boot when she collects us from the airport )

Moyse Mob N Mooloolaba

Last Sunday August 4th 2012 saw Brian and I meet up with Terry and Patricia, their younger son Colin his wife Annie and daughter Brianne. They were staying at a friends timeshare apartment on the 10th floor at Moolooaba, we decided we would meet them there for brunch - umm we arrived in time for brunch but after much chat it was time for lunch. Again the weather was just perfect and the cafe's were doing a great trade, we all headed for the Coffee Club as you cann't beat that. Much chat and eating we decended to the Mooloolaba boardwalk to have a look at the beach and the ocean it was just delightful, notice the beach scenes and this was WINTER!!!! -  Enjoy the photos of a great family get together.

Brisbane River and Nepalese Temple

Sunday 29th July 2012


Finally here are a few photos of the beautiful Brisbane River which looks very tranquil in these photos however on January 11th 2011 it was a very different story as the Brisbane River flooded peaking at 4.6metres, about a metre below the level of the 1974 floods. In the flood of 2011 - 21 people are confirmed dead and 11,900 homes were completely floooded.  The beautiful Nepalese Temple  sits amongst the lush bush and trees along Southbank.