5 Spring 2023 5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Bus gallery, Whangamomona Stopped at Taumarunui, I heard the following weekend was ‘Republic Day’ at Whangamomona, deep in the Forgotten World Highway. I came up with the idea of using my bus as a gallery, attaching paintings along the side with magnets. So paying my stall fee, I set up beside the whip cracking and log splitting exhibits. It was a wonderful experience and bought back the sense of community that was common in my childhood. I sold a painting and got another commission which took me to Opunake and the wonderful Mt Taranaki (that is usually still called Mt Egmont by the locals). Port Tarakohe Takaka Hokitika The obscure, forgotten little places A small paint kit, a few good brushes… David Liddall From the time I left school I was compelled to travel, hitchhiking everywhere (including Asia) till getting my licence at twenty-five, thereafter owning a succession of vehicles that doubled as campers, the longest owned of these being a 1972 pop top Kombi van, used daily for about 28 years. Prior to turning 50 I bought my current bus, a Mitsubishi Fuso, 7,500kg, 7.5m land sailing boat, built by a boat builder with very good design and functionality. Also dating from my school days was my interest in drawing and painting, and after initially trying oil and ink, once I discovered quality water colour paint, I was hooked, especially with it’s portability. Being able to carry a small paint kit and a few good brushes, all that’s needed is some good watercolour paper and a little pot of water and you have the means of expressing a memory or reproducing or creating a wonderful scene, something that will remain long after I’ve shuffled from this mortal coil. My travel and painting passions were put aside for periods of my life as I pursued a career in nursing, working in a variety of areas, surgical nursing, including a few years as a scrub nurse in theatre (Whangarei) psychiatric (Seaview Hospital, Hokitika and Whangarei) emergency care (Whangarei) and lastly, night RN in a MetLifecare facility at Mt Maunganui (my home town). After thirty years I took early retirement, largely financed by the sale of my Kombi (it seemed too ridiculous to tow a campervan behind a campervan) and I moved to Northland to be closer to my son and grandkids, locating at the little coastal community of Whananaki. Finding a source of print production I sold a number of prints to people I’d met passing through the campground and other local places. 19 years on the road: my current road trip Late in 2022 I left Northland to visit my brother in Thames and Coromandel, exploring right to Fletcher Bay, the outer tip of the peninsula. The clouds were ominously massing after New Year and I got out of that vulnerable peninsula in the following days, heading back north. Seeing the devastation behind and ahead, I spontaneously turned around and headed south instead (retirement is such a liberating state of being, to allow such decisions) stopping at Taumarunui when I heard the following weekend was ‘Republic Day’ at Whangamonoma, deep into the Forgotten World Highway. I came up with the idea of using my bus as a gallery, attaching paintings along the side with magnets. So paying my stall fee, I set up beside the whip cracking and log splitting exhibits. It was a wonderful experience and bought back the sense of community that was common in my childhood. I sold a painting and got another commission which took me to Opunake and the wonderful Mt Taranaki (that is usually still called Mt Egmont by the locals). With the delays to ferry services I spent longer in Wellington than expected but had lots of fun painting scenes around the city and did another commissioned work. Due to the sailing cancellation I spent a couple of nights at the Evans Bay Marina freedom camping area, to find lots of others in the same position, over seventy vans there that first night, and due to the excessive numbers some parked in the centre, between the two outside allocated spaces. In the morning the efficient council issued $150 fines to everyone parked outside the lines; nice to see bureaucracy doesn’t rest, even during a national transportation crisis. Being very aware of the environmental disaster moving toward us, I’ve determined to reduce my carbon footprint as much as I can, though I have given a lot of thought to the rationale of travelling at all, but our footprint exists regardless of where we exist, so I endeavour to spend longer in interesting places off-grid and independent (fortunately my bus is independent of external input if the sun is shining) rather than dashing hither and yon, and have found that it is the obscure, forgotten little places that hold the most interest and subject material for paintings and rewarding experiences. My favourite places so far are found in the high country of Central Otago and the upper West Coast, especially north of Karamea, such lush subtropical bush and coastal locations, and the Ida Valley. I am drawn to place names like Drybread and Blackball, getting to know the locals of Seddonville, and the muffins at Gentle Annie. I’ve been privileged to leave artwork in many places in my wake and hope they bring pleasure, however for most of this journey, I’ve done what I call my ‘cafe paintings’, taking my travel brushes and paints with a little watercolour pad to a cafe, have breakfast or a muffin and tea or coffee while I sketch out a scene from my phone, and do a miniature painting. They take about forty minutes and are very pleasurable to paint. Over the following few days I decide who to send it to, put a stamp on the back, write a thoughtful note to my friend or family member then post it off. To date I’ve done nearly forty such paintings. One friend receiving one, was told by his post lady she’d never delivered an original painting before. It’s a fabulous way to share my journey with others, and imagine the surprise they get receiving a little painting in the post. Maybe you’ll get one one day. Contact David: david@ckw.nz ‘Republic Day’ gallery on the bus, Whangamomona Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 25

3 Autumn 2023 3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Tramping the Kaweka Forest Park Outdoorsman Dave I love the freedom that carrying an ultralight tent provides, it empowers you to camp wherever your legs can take you. I also love my classic but new-to-me macpac backpack. Outdoorsman Dave Watch the video: youtu.be/Nbvio1Z1RQQ Facebook: ckw.nz/OutdoorsmanDave Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 26

Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Labour weekend at Mangawhai Up Cheine Matheson Four poptoppers in attendance at the Labour weekend gathering. All very different set-ups, a great group of people and lots of stories and ideas floating around. Much like myself, everyone had their own special touches on their poptops that made them their own. Only 2 of us brought garden ornaments and started competing. Unfortunately the Flamingos took out my Chickens — I was too under-prepared for someone just as competitive as myself! (It’s the next get together that I’m looking forward to — already I have purchased more, haha!) Up Up 1/1

4 Winter 2023 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up A cure for the stubborn peg Heather Edmeades Up I thought people might find this useful — I always struggle to pull pegs out (yes I use another peg, use the guy — I’m just lacking in strength) then I learnt how to splice, and was looking for something to make once I had done all the guys that needed replacing. It is an old steel peg that I bent into a ring using a hammer and vice. Super useful as it is easy to grip with both hands and use your legs to heave out even the most stubborn peg. ©2024 Heather Edmeades Up Up I can heave out even the most stubborn peg Cure for a stubborn peg Cure for a stubborn peg © 2024 Heather Edmeades Cure for a stubborn peg 1/2 ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

8 Winter 2024 Winter 2024 ISSUE 8 BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption The Woodturners Kauri Gallery Parkover NI Dargaville, FREE thewoodturnersstudio.co.nz Offers overnight parking as well as woodturning tuition, a gallery and a shop. Great views of the river, close to dairy, an opshop, takeaways and shopping. WHO: self-contained vehicles, cabins. FACILITIES: large vehicles. Low cost ACTIVITiES: woodturning, kauri gallery, 20 mins walk to town or museum. Dargaville Museum NI Northland, Dargaville, LOW COST dargavillemuseum.co.nz Overlooking the town and river, it tells fascinating stories of the Kauri Coast, Māori, maritime & pioneer. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: picnic spots, walking tracks, cycle trail, also see the Heritage Machinery Museum, pā site. Historic Maritime Museum and Park NI Paeroa, LOW COST historicalmaritimepark.co.nz Home to a collection of goldfield/maritime history. Beautifully laid out grounds, river board walks, daily boat rides and friendly hosts. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, power available ($), ACTIVITiES: museum, picnics, river cruise, rail trail, walking tracks, cycling, kayak launch, pet friendly. Coach House Museum NI Fielding, Manawatū, LOW COST coachhousemuseum.nz Enjoy an outstanding collection of rural NZ heritage— over 140 years of history. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: large vehicles, toilets (open hours), water, pet friendly, wheelchair access. Activities: museum, walk to town. Hawera Holiday Park NI Taranaki, COSTS ckw.nz/hawera-hp Peaceful camp at the edge of town. Hawera’s museums are unique and innovative: Elvis, an underground canal boat ride, local models. WHO: cars, tents, motorhomes. FACILITIES: dump station, power, toilets, showers, kitchen, lounge, laundry, wifi, BBQ, family friendly, 5 mins walk to the CBD, pets by arrangement. ACTIVITIES: 3 museums, galleries, climb the tower, 4 opshops, swimming, walking, cycling. Tui Mangatainoka Reserve Campground NI Pahiatua, Wairarapa, FREE ckw.nz/tui Located across the road from the famous Tui Brewery, where you can take a tour. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: toilets, dump station, water, restaurant, pet friendly Activities: brewery tours, walks, swimming, picnics, kayaking, fishing. Antique & Classic Boat Museum SI St Arnaud, LOW COST classicboatmuseum.co.nz Park beside the museum, and enjoy the collection of in-board, out-board and non-powered boats. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: none. ACTIVITIES: museum, walks, cycling, swimming, boating, fishing, bird watching, tramping, local adventures. Hanmer DOC Amenity Area SI North Canterbury, FREE A reasonably flat free camping area near town: hot pools, ice rink, shopping, eateries. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: toilet just next door, 15 mins walk to town. ACTIVITIES: hot pools, swimming, museum, craft and art galleries, shopping, eateries, golf, walking, tramping, cycling, many adventure opportunities. Milford POP, Frenally Craft Shop SI Temuka, Sth Canterbury, LOW COST ckw.nz/fb-milford-pop This former school has space to unwind and socialise, indoor and out. Buy crafts or craft supplies. Take a class. Come for a visit, and stay over if you are self-contained. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: craft shop, classes, morning & afternoon teas, pet friendly. Activities: playground, indoor/outdoor social areas, crafting classes. House of Hop Brewery and Restaurant SI Geraldine, FREE facebook.com/houseofhopnz
 houseofhop.co.nz Situated in a quiet rural setting with on site restaurant and craft brewery where you get epic craft beer and sensational food. Who: self-contained vehicles. Facilities: large vehicles, playground, , sheep and alpacas to watch, pet friendly. activities: brewery, restaurant, walks. Naseby Holiday Park SI Central Otago, COSTS nasebyhp.nz In the “ice capital of NZ”, with historic old buildings, quaint pubs and café food. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: power, water, dump station, rubbish, toilets, showers, laundry, kitchen, lounge, playground, wheelchair access, large vehicles, 10 min walk to the town. ACTIVITIES: luge, curling, ice-skating, dog sled riding, Dark Skies star gazing, walks, mountain biking, orienteering, cycling, walking, gold panning, close to Otago Rail Trail. Tui Base Camp SI Tuatapere, Southland, COSTS tuibasecamp.co.nz Walk to the Bushman’s Museum, craft and art galleries. Family friendly, weekly rates. WHO: tents, vans, campervans, backpackers. FACILITIES: toilet, showers, laundry, kitchen, power, spa, sauna, dump station, playground, wifi, café, bar, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: museum, galleries, mini golf, bush walks, tramping, guided trips, jet boating. GO TO Autumn Gold for the rainy days STOP and STAY Stop and stay in winter Stop and Stay Places that provide poor-weather activities onsite or nearby. stopandstaynz.org NORTH ISLAND The Woodturners Kauri Gallery Parkover Dargaville, LOW COST thewoodturnersstudio.co.nz Offers overnight parking as well as woodturning tuition, a gallery and a shop. Great views of the river, close to dairy, an opshop, takeaways and shopping. WHO: self-contained vehicles, cabins. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: woodturning, kauri gallery, 20 mins walk to town or museum. Dargaville Museum Northland, LOW COST dargavillemuseum.co.nz Overlooking the town and river, it tells fascinating stories of the Kauri Coast, Māori, maritime & pioneer. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles. ACTIVITiES: picnic spots, walking tracks, cycle trail, also see the Heritage Machinery Museum, pā site. Historic Maritime Museum and Park Paeroa, LOW COST historicalmaritimepark.co.nz Home to a collection of goldfield/maritime history. Beautifully laid out grounds, river board walks, daily boat rides and friendly hosts. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, power available ($), ACTIVITiES: museum, picnics, river cruise, rail trail, walking tracks, cycling, kayak launch, pet friendly. Coach House Museum Fielding, Manawatū, LOW COST coachhousemuseum.nz Enjoy an outstanding collection of rural NZ heritage— over 140 years of history. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, toilets (open hours), water, pet friendly, wheelchair access. ACTIVITIES: museum, walk to town. Hawera Holiday Park Taranaki, COSTS ckw.nz/hawera-hp Peaceful camp at the edge of town. Hawera’s museums are unique and innovative: Elvis, an underground canal boat ride, local models. WHO: cars, tents, motorhomes. FACILITIES: dump station, power, toilets, showers, kitchen, lounge, laundry, wifi, BBQ, family friendly, 5 mins walk to the CBD, pets by arrangement. ACTIVITIES: 3 museums, galleries, climb the tower, 4 opshops, swimming, walking, cycling. Tui Mangatainoka Reserve Campground Pahiatua, Wairarapa, FREE ckw.nz/tui Located across the road from the famous Tui Brewery, where you can take a tour. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: toilets, dump station, water, restaurant, pet friendly ACTIVITIES: brewery tours, walks, swimming, picnics, kayaking, fishing. SOUTH ISLAND Antique & Classic Boat Museum St Arnaud, LOW COST classicboatmuseum.co.nz Park beside the museum, and enjoy the collection of in-board, out-board and non-powered boats. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: none. ACTIVITIES: museum, walks, cycling, swimming, boating, fishing, bird watching, tramping, local adventures. Hanmer DOC Amenity Area North Canterbury, FREE A reasonably flat free camping area near town: hot pools, ice rink, shopping, eateries. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: toilet just next door, 15 mins walk to town. ACTIVITIES: hot pools, swimming, museum, craft and art galleries, shopping, eateries, golf, walking, tramping, cycling, many adventure opportunities. Milford POP, Frenally Craft Shop Temuka, LOW COST ckw.nz/fb-milford-pop This former school has space to unwind and socialise, indoor and out. Buy crafts or craft supplies. Take a class. Come for a visit, and stay over if you are self-contained. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: craft shop, classes, morning & afternoon teas, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: playground, indoor/outdoor social areas, crafting classes. Join All Points Camping for a weekend here in September 2024 ckw.nz/clandeboye House of Hop Brewery and Restaurant Geraldine, South Canterbury, FREE facebook.com/houseofhopnz houseofhop.co.nz Situated in a quiet rural setting with on site restaurant and craft brewery where you get epic craft beer and sensational food. WHO: self-contained vehicles. FACILITIES: large vehicles, playground, sheep and alpacas to watch, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: brewery, restaurant, walks. Naseby Holiday Park Central Otago, COSTS nasebyhp.nz In the “ice capital of NZ”, with historic old buildings, quaint pubs and café food. WHO: tents, vans, campervans. FACILITIES: power, water, dump station, rubbish, toilets, showers, laundry, kitchen, lounge, playground, wheelchair access, large vehicles, 10 min walk to the town. ACTIVITIES: luge, curling, ice-skating, dog sled riding, Dark Skies star gazing, walks, mountain biking, orienteering, cycling, walking, gold panning, close to Otago Rail Trail. Tui Base Camp Tuatapere, Southland, COSTS tuibasecamp.co.nz Walk to the Bushman’s Museum, craft and art galleries. Family friendly, weekly rates. WHO: tents, vans, campervans, backpackers. FACILITIES: toilet, showers, laundry, kitchen, power, spa, sauna, dump station, playground, wifi, café, bar, pet friendly. ACTIVITIES: museum, galleries, mini golf, bush walks, tramping, guided trips, jet boating. A list for travellers and campers in NZ — use it, share it, add to it. View, download or print: stopandstaynz.org Add your spots for stopping: ckw.nz/add-one-now Open to all, courtesy of NZ's national camping club, All Points Camping . Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 40

Being out in nature and sitting around the fire sharing stories is my happy place as I’m sure it is for many people. Summer 2023 ISSUE 6 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up The worst part about going camping is coming home! Up Jayme Groeneveld Being out in nature and sitting around the fire sharing stories is my happy place as I’m sure it is for many people. Exploring new tracks and not knowing what is around the next corner is something that brings out the little kid in us and distracts the mind from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s a therapy only campers will understand!  
©2023 Jayme Groeneveld, Chilly Bin Adventures Instagram Up Up Tiny-worst_2065_mw.webp Tiny-worst_2065_mw.webp 1/1

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption ©Alex Koveskali GO TO Springing I do like pies LOL Heating a pie Alex Koveskali I’ve worked out an effective way to heat up pies. Gas diffuser, pot, a couple of tin bowls, and a lid; on a medium heat for however long you want. I do like pies LOL. Photos ©Alex Koveskali Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 29

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing Camping the Kiwi Way, Summer 2024 In this issue Double-Digit Highways – SH32,West of Taupo, SH45, Taranaki’s surf coast highway, and SH60 to Collingwood. Springing Your camping stories from spring. Tents. Weather. The night sky. Places to go, places to stay, things to do. Making camping more accessible for everyone involves more than installing accessible toilets. Travelling with pets A list of resources I’ve found helpful on our travels with our furry family member, Pippa. CampFest ‘25 Pack up your tent or camping vehicle and join us in Bulls for a weekend of fun, music, food and family-friendly entertainment. Recipes Favourite and quick camping meals including great ideas for a quick meal on the first night. Table of contents Editorial Come camping Stop and Stay Contribute About Cover image: Waiorongomai Valley ©2024 Greg Lokes ( Greg's Eye ) About Camping the Kiwi Way We hope this magazine will unite the many different camping groups we have in NZ to create a unified voice and energy for sustainable camping for current and future generations of New Zealanders. ISSN: 2815-8261 (Print)ISSN: 2815-827X (Online) ©2024 All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc Editor: Miriam Richardson editor@campingthekiwiway.org | campingthekiwiway.org Published quarterly by All Points Camping Club of NZ Inc &NZ Lifestyle Camping Ltd Order or subscribe Printed copies including postage:$44 for a year (4 issues)$13.50 for a single copy editor@campingthekiwiway.org Read it here online, get a PDF campingthekiwiway.org/issues-camping-the-kiwi-way Or subscribe for a printed copy campingthekiwiway.org/buy-or-subscribe Advertising editor@campingthekiwiway.org For sizes and prices see ckw.nz/advertising Share your stories If your group or club is promoting NZers enjoying our great outdoors, we would like to share your stories. • Tenting, caravanning, motorhoming, van camping, bike camping, hiking and more. • Camping photos and stories. • Club stories and photos. • Upcoming events that include camping. • Opinion pieces on camping issues. Photos 1mb or more in size. Email words and (separate) images: editor@campingthekiwiway.org Contributions close Feb 1 for the Autumn issue May 1 for the Winter issue Aug 1 for the Spring issue Nov 1 for the Summer issue But, for late-breaking articles talk to the editor. Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 1

10 summer 2024 Summer 2024 ISSUE 10 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption GO TO Springing this article explains all Safe toilet chemicals Collyn Rivers Safe toilet chemicals are essential, but some toilet chemicals kill essential bacteria in septic and environmental systems: some are toxic — this article explains all. To safely dispose of toilet waste is a major problem for caravan and motorhome owners who free camp. Safe toilet chemicals are essential as faecal matter endangers humans. Many toilet chemicals, however, contain non-biodegradable content. Worse, they kill essentially needed bacteria in ‘long drop’ and septic systems. Safe toilet chemicals So-called bio-stimulant products are environmentally friendly. Adding oxidising agents (or enzymes), speeds up nature’s breakdown of faecal matter. It also reduces smells. You can empty safely treated sewage into septic and sewage treatment plants, but not some so-called environmental systems. Environmentally safe toilet chemicals are oxygen-loving bio-stimulants — such as live bacteria and yeasts. Known-to-be-safe toilet chemicals include Bio-Pack, Odour-B-Gone, Aqua Kem Green and Aqua Kem Rinse (but not necessarily related products), and BioMagic. Their makers claim Envir-Chem, Reliance Bio-Blue, Century Blue Clean N Fresh, and Chempace bioFORCE to be safe. Biocides kill all bacteria Biocides kill all bacteria — good or bad. If you treat toilet waste this way it becomes allergenic: some people claim it possibly triggers cancer. Adding a further chemical reduces the stench of sewage broken down non-aerobically. The industry claims that sewage so-treated is disposable in sewage treatment plants. Biocidic chemicals, however, kill bacteria indiscriminately. This causes many that rely on septic tanks to have a concern about their facilities. Never use formaldehyde The major risk to the ecology is formaldehyde. The US Department of Toxic Substances Control states: ‘Chemical toilet additives include chemicals that are known to cause septic tank failures by killing the bacteria essential to the treatment process in the septic tank. Formaldehyde can thus cause these to die in holding tanks as it controls odour by killing bacteria. When a septic system fails, sewage waste does not break down. It can cause an increased risk to people in contact with raw sewage.’ The Department also warns against de-deodorisers such as Bronopol, Dowicil and Glutaraldehyde. Check the declared content of any product. One, promoted as ‘environmentally safe’, has the (obligatory) Material Safety Data Sheet stating it contains Bronopol. Chemtech’s Portasol claims to be environmentally friendly, but its data-sheet states it contains 10 g/L Glutaraldehyde. Be wary of home-made chemicals. Most contain bleach or Pine-O-Clean. Such material is cheap and effective, however, it kills essentially-needed bacteria. This is not a problem if the waste is disposed of in town sewerage systems. Do not, however, empty it into environmental or septic systems. Is Napisan a safe toilet chemical? Many RV owners suggest using Napisan (or similar) products. Napisan and its many look-alikes contain sodium percarbonate. This, in water, breaks down to soda ash and hydrogen peroxide. An additive makes the faecal matter smell less bad. This works well from an RV user viewpoint but content information, however, is hard to obtain for look-alikes. These may include chemicals that are poison to marine life. Some makers warn they are not safe to use in septic and similar systems. Some such products claim to be bio-degradable to Australian Standard 4351. But that Standard relates only to ‘surfactants’ — a detergent ‘wetting’ effect. It is thus not relevant. These products are cheap. They are, however, only border-line effective in breaking down faecal matter and reducing smells. Using them may damage the environment. Napisan — a professional view Emeritus Professor Ian Jenkins (previously Professor of Chemistry at Griffith University) has kindly provided an independent professional opinion on safe toilet chemicals. The authoritative article explains the active ingredient (in Napisan and associated products) that does the job is sodium percarbonate. It contains from 25%–35%. You can buy sodium carbonate (100%) in bulk. Brewing supply companies sell it for about $5.50 a kilo. Emeritus Professor Jenkins explains how to use it. Use only safe toilet chemicals You can safely use proven bio-friendly toilet chemicals to treat sewage for city sewage treatment plants. But if you travel a lot, be 100% certain the chemicals are bio-friendly. If not you can ruin costly septic systems. n Reproduced with permission, rvbooks.com Napisan article: ckw.nz/napisan You can buy sodium percarbonate from Binn Inn and on TradeMe. Editor Up Up 10 Summer 2024 , p 30

1 Spring 2022 Getting the internet on the road Up Miriam Richardson There are two ways to get on the internet while on the road: with your mobile phone or with mobile broadband. ONE: mobile phone Modern mobile phones use the internet routinely: have you checked your email? viewed a YouTube video? read Facebook? used Campermate? used Google? All of these use the internet through your phone connection. The plan on your phone determines how much internet you can use in a month. TWO: mobile broadband There is a network of towers through NZ that allows Netspeed and Wireless Nation to give travellers access to mobile broadband. Modem To connect to mobile broadband you need a modem. Generally travellers get an adapter to connect the modem to their 12v/24v power. Choosing: mobile phone or mobile broadband? If you are content to do all your internet connection through your phone, stick with a mobile plan. If you want to connect a tablet, iPad or a computer as well as your phone, you have a choice. To choose a plan you need an idea of • how much data you need, • where you might travel, • what devices you want to connect to the internet, and • whether you want to use your phone as the modem. How much data do you need? What do you normally use? Look back on the last few months of internet use, if you can. Will you continue to use the internet the same? Might you use use less when travelling? Might you watch TV through the internet and use a lot more? Hot spot the phone or use a modem? To use your phone to connect all your devices to the internet, you need a plan that allows you to do it: it is called ‘hot spotting’. When you ‘hot spot’, your phone becomes a wireless network that lets other phones, computers etc get online via the phone. The phone needs to sit where the signal is good while you are using it as a modem. Coverage: where can I get a signal? Your phone/internet provider has an online map that shows their coverage — where you can expect to get a signal. Mobile phones have stronger and more complete cover near towns and cities. Different providers share the towers. The coverage maps show the strength of the signal. There are dead zones with no coverage at all (no towers). Speed The biggest complaint people make is about the speed of the internet when they are travelling. There are several reasons why the internet could be slow. You are comparing it to a fibre connection at home. Mobile broadband is slower than fibre. It just is. You are a long way from a tower, so the signal is weaker, or there is something between you and the tower. Try moving. The nearest tower has lesser capacity. Some towers have greater capacity than others. Areas with few people may well have lesser capacity — and a bevy of motorhomers enjoying the back of beyond at the same time might overload it. You are parked up with a bunch of other travellers who are all using the same tower at the same time to get online. (Netspeed, Wireless Nation and local providers are all using the same towers.) You, or your neighbours are doing something that uses a lot of data: downloading video, visual phone calls, online TV or listening to radio, all use quite a bit of data. The locals are busy and using the same tower at the same time. The modem or its connection needs refreshing: do a speed test ( www.speedtest.net ), and then talk to your provider. _____________ I hear people on Facebook saying ‘I am with xxx and I have no speed problems.’ This is not a big help: it all depends where they have been travelling, how far they have been from the mobile tower, when they tend to use the internet, and how many others are using it at the same time. There might be particular times when the towers are being overworked: before work; after school; evening entertainment time (video and TV use a lot of data). Try after 11pm, at 1am, at 6am: if the speed is good, then it is a competition problem. ____________ Aerials Having an aerial on the roof might improve your internet connection. BY: Miriam Richardson Photo: ©2022 Miriam Richardson Next issue: How to choose an internet provider Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS I hear people on Facebook saying ‘I am with xxx and I have no speed problems.’ This is not a big help... 1/1

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption recipe_H-Lentil and eggplant stew with gnocchi 2.webp recipe_Pork and vegetables in hoisin sauce.webp GO TO Here & there last summer Recipes for camping Margaret Earle Hot cross buns One year when we were at scout camp over Easter, we cooked hot cross buns. This is the recipe that we used. It worked great in camp ovens. I use the same recipe at home in my bread maker and electric oven. I put all the ingredients in the bread maker bowl, except the dried fruit which I put in the fruit and nut dispenser, and use the dough setting. The recipe includes a cross and glaze for the buns. I tend to leave these out. 600g plain flour 2 tsp dry yeast 4 Tbsp brown sugar 2 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp mixed spice Pinch each of ground cardamom and ground coriander 2 tsp salt (optional) 2 eggs 250ml milk, lukewarm 2 Tbsp orange marmalade 40g butter, softened 250g sultanas, raisins and currants 30g mixed peel For the cross: Plain flour Icing sugar Water For the glaze: ½ cup caster sugar ¼ cup water ◗ Mix flour, yeast, brown sugar, spices and salt in a large bowl. ◗ Whisk egg, milk and marmalade together and pour into the flour mixture to form a sticky dough. ◗ Knead on a floured surface for 10 mins until elastic. Add softened butter and knead a further 5 mins until smooth. Fold in dried fruit and mixed peel and knead for a further 3 mins . ◗ Mould into a loaf shape and then divide into 12 segments. Roll each segment into a ball and then flatten onto a greased tray. Place 2cm apart. ◗ Cover loosely with cling wrap and let dough rise in a warm place for 2 hours until doubled in size. ◗ Preheat oven to 180°C . ◗ To make crosses , mix the flour, icing sugar and water into a thick paste. Pour paste into a zip lock bag and snip one of the corners off the bag to create a piping bag. Pipe crosses on the buns. ◗ Bake buns for 15–20 mins . ◗ Turn out onto a wire rack. Cooking the buns in a camp oven You need a camp oven, a trivet/trivet stand-in, a round tin that fits in the camp oven. Read more about camp ovens More about camp ovens ◗ Put some form of trivet in the bottom of the camp oven (such as a rack or upturned metal plate). Then put the lid on the camp oven and place it in a spot on the fire that has good embers or on a low setting on your gas hob. ◗ Allow the inside of the camp oven to warm up before you put the hot cross buns inside. ◗ Shape your hot cross buns as described and place in a round cake tin that will fit inside your camp oven. Open the warmed camp oven and place the tin with the hot cross buns on top of the trivet. Replace the lid. ◗ Check frequently to ensure they are cooking but not burning. You may find that you need to move the camp oven to a warmer or cooler part of the fire or adjust the temperature of your gas hob. To create glaze ◗ bring the sugar and water to the boil until it is a clear syrup. Take off the heat. ◗ Apply glaze to hot buns with a pastry brush. Enjoy. Lentil and eggplant stew with gnocchi None of the ingredients in this recipe require refrigeration. We were low on fresh vegetables, so I used my remaining eggplant and mushrooms. The quantities below made enough for three hungry people. If you wanted a smaller meal, you could omit the tin of tomatoes. Alternatively, you could add more vegetables, tinned foods and gnocchi to feed more people. 1 eggplant chopped into cubes about 1–2cm in size 1 Tbsp salt 1 onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped, or 2 tsp ready-chopped garlic 3 Tbsp oil 100g sliced mushrooms 1 chopped capsicum or 2 small zucchini 450g tin brown lentils, drained 450g tin chopped tomatoes 450g tin tomato-based pasta sauce 1 tsp each of basil, oregano and Moroccan spices (or whatever you have available) 1 packet of dry gnocchi ◗ In advance of making the dish, chop the eggplant and sprinkle the salt over it. Set aside until you are ready to use it. ◗ Chop the onions, garlic and any vegetables you are adding. ◗ Rinse the salt off the chopped eggplant. ◗ Fry onions and garlic in 1Tbs of oil in the camp oven. When they start to brown add the chopped eggplant and another Tbsp of oil. Stir regularly and cook until eggplant is transparent. You may need to add more oil if the eggplant begins to stick. ◗ Add mushrooms and brown them (if using). ◗ Drain and add tinned lentils, then add the chopped tomatoes and pasta sauce. Add herbs and spices and continue to cook as a stew. ◗ Cook gnocchi according to the instructions on the packet, in a separate pot. ◗ When the gnocchi are cooked, drain them and add to the stew in the camp oven. ◗ Add zucchini/capsicum at this stage (if using). Mix and cook for a further 2–5 minutes before serving. Pork and vegetables in hoisin sauce I cooked this recipe using pork steaks that I diced up. It could also be made with pork mince. The kumara and carrots went well with the sweetness of the pork. The quantities below fed three hungry people and could easily be adjusted for smaller or larger groups. If I was cooking for one or two people, I would use only one packet of the ready sauce, less pork, a small kumara and fewer carrots. 1 onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 500g diced pork or pork mince 2–3 carrots, peeled and diced 1 medium, red kumara, peeled and diced 2 packets of ready sauce for hoisin minced pork 1 tsp ground ginger 100g mushrooms, sliced 1 capsicum, diced 1 Tbsp oil ◗ Peel and dice vegetables and chop up pork (if not using pork mince). ◗ Cook onion and garlic in the oil in the camp oven. ◗ When onion is transparent add pork and brown. ◗ Add carrot and kumara and sufficient water to nearly cover the vegetables. ◗ Simmer until kumara and carrot are partially cooked. ◗ Add ready sauce, ground ginger, mushrooms and capsicum to the camp oven. Continue simmering until vegetables are fully cooked. ◗ Serve over rice or noodles. Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 27

1 Spring 2022 What makes a great and safe freedom camping space? Up Miriam Richardson Physical space Turning space to get in and out easily. Room to open doors and put out a step. (BONUS: room for long vehicles.) Safe to park: gaps big enough for gas safety. (3m between vehicles.) Flat (lpg fridges need it flats). Room for all that turn up. Sealed or very firm ground, particularly in winter. Nice to have Close to town amenities — shops, banks, cafes. In or near a recreational area — lakes, walking / bike tracks, pools. Near or with any services: dump station, water, rubbish, toilet, shower, laundry. A fabulous view. Everyone loves a view. It needs a good sign. Hmmm. A good sign? Unambiguous wording. Truly, this is cannot be taken for granted. What kind of camping is allowed. Time restrictions. Where to park (and not park). Any restrictions or special conditions. BONUS: Big enough to read from the drivers’ seat. Whakatane’s McAlister St freedom camping spot: a great example The parks are wide enough for safety, and its easy to turn in and out. Motorhome parks (and non-parks) are clearly marked. There is a large, clear sign. There is a dump station, water, rubbish & recycling bins, and it is walking distance to town. Sadly there are only 5 spaces in the only freedom camping spot in the town. Pretty good view too, for an urban carpark. The beautiful Tuapiro Reserve in the Bay of Plenty Spaces are car-width, a clear map shows where you can park. Its a ovely place to park; plenty of room, great walks and views. This photo shows how vehicles have used alternate parks to give each other fire safety. But these campers are vulnerable, as others could park between, too close for safety, and blocking the doors. BY: Miriam Richardson Up Up Up Spring 2022 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Place. Space. Safety. Whakatane’s McAlister St freedom camping spot: a great example The parks are wide enough for safety, and its easy to turn in and out; Motorhome parks (and non-parks) are clearly marked; There is a large, clear sign; There is a dump station, water, rubbish & recycling bins, and it is walking distance to town; Sadly there are only 5 spaces in the only freedom camping spot in the town. A good cclear sign atWhakatane’s McAlister St freedom camping spot Big enough to read and positioned so you can read as you drive in. A clear map shows where to park A clear map shows where you can park at Tuapiro Reserve. Whakatane’s McAlister St freedom camping spot: a great example The parks are wide enough for safety, and its easy to turn in and out; Motorhome parks (and non-parks) are clearly marked; There is a large, clear sign; There is a dump station, water, rubbish & recycling bins, and it is walking distance to town; Sadly there are only 5 spaces in the only freedom camping spot in the town. 1/7