This is one of the Ashburton Lakes in the Hakatere Conservation Park. You reach it by turning off at Mt Somers then just drive until you reach it on the left.

MarshmaMallows by the fire.

It was a great two weeks at Waihora Domain in Motukarara. Linda Butler.

For me it's not the destination

The dogs had visitors at Knottingly Park and Arboretum camp.

"What an awesome bunch of happy campers. Fabulous weekend, weather was great, company great."

The beauty of belonging to a camping group is we get to camp at amazing private venues.

Campers enjoying a local rugby game at Mt Somers. See p31. ©2024 Linda Butler

Gore Bay Camp is a small camp. The facilities are old, but usable. Such a great place to go for a weekend break close to our home in Christchurch.

All Points Camping enjoyed craft shopping, toasting marshmallows in the fire pit and Devonshire teas at the Milford POP.

This venue is our favourite go-to for Christmas due to its proximity to everything. If you are travelling or want company for Christmas next year, do consider joining us. 

The weather was so nice that we came out early. All that is missing is you.©2025 Linda Butler

Running off a cordless drill

The ‘caravan train’ at Kekerungu.

We decided to have a camping train as there were 3 events being held during March at Havelock, Nelson and Greymouth.

Let’s show the North how it’s done!

There is something happening for the entire family over this family-orientated weekend.

Penny was keen to put the newly learnt knowledge of how to assist someone up, into practice. Down on the floor she went!

Enjoy the whole trip, or meet up or depart from any location along the way!

We are the only ones here, apart from the sandflies… Still plenty of skin left for them to feast on tomorrow. Wooded Gully, North Canterbury. ©2025 Linda Butler

There is something precious about meeting around the table. Sharing food, or in this case buying your own!

Darn, we could only get the new heater up to 10ºC on that night, and woke to a -3ºC frost. We opened the oven door, lit the gas and waited for sunshine.

Seventh week on the road in Aotearoa in this beauty.

This is a very versatile and flexible recipe. You can make it up as a dry mix at home to take with you.

Passing over a bit of road where the rumble strip had been removed but not filled in, my tyre got stuck in the rut and shredded.

Scone mix is made, hope it’s enough, lol. Paddle boards mended. Games sorted. Togs packed. Marshmallow toasting etc after dinner.

I can’t believe we are the only ones at Lake Pukaki tonight. So incredibly grateful to have captured these skies.

I can’t really take in how gorgeous the McKenzie Basin is.

Our boys were 8 and 6 years old, the younger one, Rueben, having severe autism. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to go camping and that we would learn to deal with things as they happened and some we could prepare for beforehand.

Certified Blue before 7/7/23, and not expired. Fixed or portable toilet.
Certified Blue before 7/7/24, and not expired. Fixed toilet only.
Green Warrant