Hobbit inspired roadtrip in Raglan

The following week Rhian and Cal went on a Hobbit/ LOTR themed road trip to Wellington. Christy one of the Oz trip group also joined them.

 They visited the Huka falls and Lake Taupo on the way down, passing the mighty Mordor (Mt Narahui volcano) on the way

 

 

The highlight was definitely the Weka Workshops tour, where they got to play with weapons and hold hands with a troll!

 

Scary!

The Gallipoli models at Te Papa impressed as did seeing a rare Takahe, although the rest of Zoolandia was not a highlight, even though from there they were looking down on the aircraft!

 On the way back they visited the tiny site for Rivendell and a weird forgotten haunted house. They also found the time to pop into Dannevirke where cousin Robbie is going to work for 6 months on a local sheep farm.

Christmas in July

Before we left Tauranga, Shona set up a wee surprise for Rhian and Cal - Christmas!. The tree, stockings, cards, turkey, special Oz wine (Rhian said at the tasting it reminded her of Christmas!), mince pies and crackers! all there waiting when they came through the door. Well the dinner was a couple of evenings later!

We have to thank our lovely friend Mary who just happened to have an extra turkey and mince pies in her freezer in July and some extra crackers as well - she made Christmas for us. Also all the decorations and the lovely tree loaned from my friendly Op Shop bosses!.

Then there was more 21st Birthday cake for Cal - special lamingtons and treats from Rosie's Bakery.

The fun didn't stop there the first weekend there was White Water Rafting down a 7 meter waterfall on the Kaituna River.  A first time for Rhian and Malcolm. They were all freezing!!

 

 

 

 

An you see them!! - they were the only boat that did not turn turtle!

 

 

Very Cold  - but worth it!

Reaching the the other side.

12 days after starting we reached Adelaide. We have started in sweltering tropical heat of Darwin, gone through the dry dusty red centre and reached the rainy cold Flinders Range, which looked and felt more like the lake district. appart from the soggy shivering kangaroos!

So another long drive form Cooper Pedy to an amazing walk on a Salt Lake. We had to cross the Ghan train line which goes across the continent as well - no trains coming though!

 

 

 

 

 We stayed in a rather dismal place called Quorn for our last night but did have some fairly close encounters with wildlife the next day in the Flinders ranges before saying farewell to our lovely new friends in Adelaide.

An amazing trip and awesome experiences.