Brisbane Today

We have been home now for almost two weeks and just been getting back into normal life and that includes our volunteer work which we both really enjoy.

We fly down to Canberra in a few weeks to see the family and cuddle the grandchildren, really looking forward to that! Then in June, we are off again to spend 2-3 months in Europe.

It was a beautiful day today in Brisbane, about 26C (78F) and only 33 days to go until winter officially starts. Fortunately, Brisbane does have a great winter. I had a lovely long walk along the river this afternoon, just wonderful.

                        

                                 

                                 

    

Rotorua

Yesterday we drove from Lake Taupo to Rotorua and it rained all the way. Luckily, we were able to check into our hotel room early, so only went for a short walk in the afternoon in the rain. This morning we woke to a beautiful day, so had a walk along the shore of Lake Rotorua.

Rotorua is a big tourist attraction in New Zealand as it's known for the geothermal activity and geysers here. It is also nicknamed Sulphur City because of the hydrogen sulphide emissions but the smell didn't affect me at all. Apparently, the city has closed off a lot of drains and vents over the years.

After our walk around the lake, we went to a city park that has steaming lakes and bubbling mud pools.

                       

                       

                       

                       

The lovely tudor style old bath house building is now the Museum.

                      

                       

And seen on the lake this morning.....how cute!

                       

       

Scenes around Lake Taupo

Yesterday we said goodbye to our homeowners in Hamilton and returned the car they had lent us for our stay. We picked up a hire car and headed south to Lake Taupo. We had visited here briefly almost 10 years ago and this time wanted to see a bit more of the lake which is the largest lake in New Zealand with a length of 46km and width of 33 km. 

We did manage a 10km walk along the foreshore this morning and here are some photos.

                          

                          

                          

                          

After our walk we decided that lunch would be a good idea, so we found a place with a pretty nice view.

                         

After our two nights here, we head for Rotorua where we will spend another 2 nights and then fly back home on Wednesday.

   

      

Driving Creek Railway

Yesterday we visited the Driving Creek Railway and Potteries, just outside Coromandel township. Barry Brickell started this project in 1973, he is a handcraft potter and originally started to build the railway for his own use bringing the clay down the mountain to his workshop. It grew like topsy and the railway opened up for public use about 20 years later. It is a narrow gauge railway track over 22 hectares of hilly scrub covered land. The train trip lasts for one hour with a stop at the top to visit his 'Eyefull Tower' (his spelling) and admire the views.

                                

All over the bushland are pottery pieces made by Barry and also visiting potters. The interesting entrance to this tunnel was made by an visiting potter.

                                

The views from the Eyefull Tower were beautiful.

                               

                               

The Coromandel Peninsula is certainly a lovely part of New Zealand.

The Coromandel

I have found great free wifi at the local Thames Library. We don't even have to go inside, just sit in the car parked outside and it works! Fantastic.

Yesterday we had a day of driving up to the top of the Coromandel Peninsula. Three hours each way on a narrow road full of twists and turns and mostly unsealed. Quite a busy road this Easter weekend as many campervans and boats were heading to little camping spots in the bays along the road. I was amazed at how many camping spots there were and the boats! Let's just say that there are a lot of fishermen in New Zealand.

The views along the way made it worthwhile and at the end of the road we had a picnic lunch before making the trek back. This is one of the bays along the way.

                         

The very tip of the Peninsula with Square Top Island off the coast.

                         

The view from our picnic spot with a closer view of Square Top Island.

                         

We woke up today (Easter Sunday) to a very rainy day, so pleased we took the trip yesterday as we had beautiful weather.