Week 1 finished having just had a great mini jamming session with my friend and her son, the next day saw the three of them leave for a trip to Auckland, with me in charge of three dogs…..
This may not seem a big thing for many, but when I came to NZ nearly 5 years ago, I was pretty petrified of dogs. Thanks to a friend’s dog who I was around a lot at the beginning of my time here, I managed to get over it…. mostly!
As long as they don’t jump up, bark really loudly or lick my toes then I am pretty good! But yes, looking after three was something else altogether! But the dogs and I survived, and yes actually found myself talking to them, although they didn’t seem to hang around when I was singing! Not sure who was happier to see my friends return, me or the dogs!
Anyhoo a great time walking and exploring, and on the evening of NYE another family arrived to join us for a meal, and when Heidi did the introductions, she said “Liz, my old friend”, and “Shelley, my new friend”. It made me think because Heidi and I had only actually met three times before they moved down to Taupo, but had continued our friendship online, and knew that given the chance it would definitely be one to blossom, and it sure did.
On the morning of NYE, Heidi took me out in their classic of a Land Rover, and apart from when we were actually driving (because it was pretty hard to be heard with the wind in our hair) I don’t think we stopped talking! It was those conversations that I love, that go beyond the small talk and trivials, and in to ways of changing our world and the world around us; things that we have done, experienced and learnt, and how they have shaped us in to who we are now.
NYE saw a beautiful concert put on by the two kids, and it was just gorgeous to see that innate confidence and love before shoulds and stories often get in the way!
And then I was off to Taumarunui to catch up with another friend. From Taupo onwards this was all new territory for me, and so very exciting, even in the rain! And rain it did for the next few days, but as was often said “yes, well it is needed!”
Staying at my friend’s cottage was gorgeous up in the bush, and in came the animals again that seem to be part of this journey. So having been petrified of dogs, I wasn’t overly great with cats, it was probably within the first half an hour of being there Jamie the cat jumped on to my lap and settled in. Well this was just fine, “sit there quietly, but don’t expect me to respond!”
Well it seemed he wasn’t going anywhere and feeling brave i actually started stroking him, and after checking that the noises he was making were happy ones, we got on just fine…. Well, until the day he decided to bring me an offering he had hunted in the garden as a sign of appreciation, which may not have quite got the response he was hoping for as I lept out my chair and in to the house!
A great walk on the second day in the scorching sun and pouring rain, saw us happy to have a quiet picnic on the third day by Lake Taupo.
Then backtracking slightly in direction towards Mt Ruapehu I left to catch up with a friend and her Mum who were just starting their road trip. Headed off on a walk while waiting for them, and deciding to take the path off my nice little round trip… This was signposted towards the lakes, which was pretty tough going, I asked a few people along the way how much further to the lakes and it always seemed to be half an hour….
The last lady I changed my question and asked is it worth it….. Her pause and response of Um….. was quite disheartening, but could understand what she meant when I got there! Very pretty, but not quite what I had envisaged.
On my return a family asked me how much further? “About half an hour I replied”….
Although very cloudy (and raining) was one of those days where the sun still got you, and it sure did me! So yes sat having a lovely meal with Lizzy and Sue in the evening with my beetroot face and blisters on my feet! But hey, was a good day!
Next day saw me attempting The Forgotten Highway, by which point we were in the start of a storm, the night before had lashed down and the wind was up. Now I am sure on a sunny day this drive is beautiful, but this day I had to contend with slips, rockfalls, water pouring down the banks and over the road, as well as sheep being herded from one paddock to another, oh and not to mention the kamikaze ducks!
I got to one slip that had pretty much covered the road, apart from a small track on one side. I was already about 150kms (maybe?) down this highway and could not face turning around. I was aware traffic had passed me not so long ago, so they must have made it, so sticking as close to the side of the slip as I could I gingerly made my way successfully through!
Through to New Plymouth to catch up with another friend who thankfully had a cold beer ready in the fridge! Out of my twenty years experience of driving, that definitely goes down as the hairiest I think!
Lovely couple of days with my friend. As always with travelling, and this trip is no different, I feel I should be and want to be doing/seeing etc. Sometimes, especially when I have company it is just nice to be, and that’s what we did. Love friendships like that, just simple and cruisy. Made me reflect how lucky I am to have so many awesome people in my life and feel lucky to be able to catch up with some of them on my way……
The Sunday saw me on the road again, and after asking for recommendations for places to see in Wanganui, a friend put me on to the Red Lion pub and the owner there. What better place to start while I worked out a plan!
Meeting Dinky the Owner, and explaining my story was very kindly offered a bed, and while she was writing the directions down for me, I was taking coffees and food out to customers!
A beautiful place to stay and see the sights from, with an early start on my favouritest drive yet….
