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Up Up Click on image for full view and caption ​ Mavis bringing in the New Year Cheine Matheson Mavis bringing in the New Year at Pahoia Beach, Bay of Plenty. Cheine Matheson ©2023 Cheine Matheson 3 Autumn 2023 , p 8

Up Up Click on image for full view and caption for me, it's about the senses Why do I love camping so much? Linda Butler For me it's not the destination; yet we live in such an amazing country. So close to rivers, tall mountains, sea, the wild bush, the cities and the vast, open fields. It's not the company; and I've met some amazing, interesting characters over the years. For me, it's about the senses For me, it's about the senses. Feeling the breeze, smelling the salt air. The warmth of the sun as it's rises on a crispy cool morning. It's about listening to bird song, soaking up the visual beauty surrounding me. Its about walking in that light, gentle rain or listening to the sound of water talking to us as the currents push it on its way. This revitalizes me, refreshes me. It's about taking in the creativity we see along the way — a fancy letterbox, painted artwork on a barn wall, bras hanging on a fence and oh, so much more. Whatever takes you on the road, may you see or hear something new this year, and make a new friend along the way. Photo: Moon over Lake Ohau ©2023 M Richardson 3 Autumn 2023 , p 10

Up Up Click on image for full view and caption ​ Editorial: looking back, looking forward Miriam Richardson As the season turns we look back on our summer — the adventures, the challenges, the starry nights, friends (new and old), the places we have explored, the places we plan to explore later. On shanks’s pony, in kayaks, boats, bikes, cars, vans, caravans, poptops, teardrops, motorhomes, we have spread out over the summer, loving our country. The season has turned with catastrophic weather taking out roads and houses leaving many with sheer survival as their focus. The autumn and winter ahead will be challenging on many fronts, so each chance you get, for a night, a weekend, a few days: take up your bed and go out and restore your spirit; enjoy the rivers, the beach, the hills, mountains, if they are close enough, and if all else is beyond reach, take your bed into the back yard and enjoy the stars. This issue is kindly sponsored by the All Points Camping Club of NZ and NZ Lifestyle Camping. 3 Autumn 2023 , p 4

Up Up Click on image for full view and caption ​ Kekerengu Marty Ireland Camping with friends at Kekerengu on the Kaikoura coast, halfway between Blenheim and Kaikoura. 3 Autumn 2023 , p 27

Up Up Click on image for full view and caption ​ Another thing ticked off Roland Jones The envelope arrived with my All Points Member pack. I found the decal and first thing I did was to place it on the back of my campervan. Another thing I can tick off in preparation for my 10 week South Island trip starting end March. Roland ©2023 Roland 3 Autumn 2023 , p 29

Up Up Click on image for full view and caption We jet boated upriver for approximately an hour. ©2023 Fiona Thomson We jet boated upriver for approximately an hour, through spectacular gorges, stopping to hear about historical and scenic interest spots. ©2023 Fiona Thomson We jet boated upriver for approximately an hour. ©2023 Fiona Thomson We jet boated upriver for approximately an hour. ©2023 Fiona Thomson My mother and aunt. ©2023 Fiona Thomson The bridge is a large concrete structure that was built in 1936 to provide early pioneering farmers access to their farms. Unfortunately the local area became a valley of abandoned dreams as the land proved unsuitable for farming. ©2023 Fiona Thomson The bridge is a large concrete structure that was built in 1936 to provide early pioneering farmers access to their farms. Unfortunately the local area became a valley of abandoned dreams as the land proved unsuitable for farming. ©2023 Fiona Thomson ​ Nowhere special Fiona Thomson Our trip to the Bridge to Nowhere, on the Whanganui river, will always be a special memory that I share with my 84 year old mother. We camped overnight at Pipiriki on a non-powered site in our campervan. Cabins are available, with a clean communal kitchen and lounge area. We parked up in the provided day parking before donning our life jackets and wet weather gear. Our local guide and driver of the jet boat was helpful and knowledgeable. We jet boated upriver for approximately an hour, through spectacular gorges, stopping to hear about historical and scenic interest spots. After arriving at the Mangapurua landing, we were guided on a gentle 40 minute walk through native bush on a fern-lined track. The first hill up from the river was the most difficult — however my mother rose to the challenge and managed to walk the distance to the Bridge to Nowhere. The bridge is a large concrete structure that was built in 1936 to provide early pioneering farmers access to their farms. Unfortunately the local area became a valley of abandoned dreams as the land proved unsuitable for farming. Hot drinks and biscuits were provided at the bridge. We ate our own packed lunch before making the return bush walk and jet boating back to Pipirki. If you have the opportunity, this is a great day trip. Photos © Fiona Thomson 3 Autumn 2023 , p 9

Up Up Click on image for full view and caption ​ Want NZ? See Westport Tui Want Switzerland? See Queenstown. Want NZ? See Westport 3 Autumn 2023 , p 16

Up Up Click on image for full view and caption ​ Cycle camping: Part 3: completing the South Island circuit Stephen Wood My ride from Rangiora around the South Island had been interrupted near Hokitika, but I was determined to restart it. I chose to do that at Sheffield and head west from there. Leaving Springfield, heading for the alps. It was a persistent nor’wester as I cycled up past Springfield to the start of Porters Pass. The approach to Porters Pass Porters is a long haul on the bike with the steepest part nearer the top. I felt safer walking beside my bike on the twisty climb, due to the lack of visibility around corners. Nearing the top of the pass was a section of road with a road work crew working on one side and temporary traffic control. I told them once I was past the main work site that I could stay in their work lane and didn’t mind oncoming traffic in the free lane, which they thought was a good idea. From Porters I cycled by Lake Lyndon, Castle Hill and Craigieburn. I had hoped to have got to Klondike Corner, but with wind slowing me down decided that the DOC campsite at Lake Pearson was more achievable. It was a basic campsite and the only water supply was to boil lake water. The next day it was 35km before getting to Arthur’s Pass village. From the village its a short climb to the pass itself. The descent required caution due to its steep gradient but is so much nicer with the viaduct bypassing the old zigzag route. After a brief refreshment stop in Otira I pushed on to Jacksons, where I had to decide which way to proceed based in where I could find a camp. I booked at a campsite in Kumara and made it there at 7pm, one of my longer days. I had the campsite to myself. The next day I cycled through Greymouth and on up the coast road. The campsite at Punakaiki make a good resting spot, and surprisingly there is now a bar and restaurant close by, as well as other accommodation options. More surprises the next day — a coffee cart at Fox River and a new café and tourism venture at Charleston. I wasn’t tempted to head into Westport, but instead pushed on up the Lower Buller gorge passing Hawks Crag to Berlins where the pub had set up a basic campground. I got an early start the following day before the forecast rain, but by the time I got to Inangahua it was definitely raining. It was a slow plod continuing up the Buller through to Murchison. Although I got there very early afternoon, it was still raining solidly so I stopped at a backpackers, giving me time for a bit of washing and drying out. A fresh start the next day was in better weather, passing Owen River, Kawatiri junction. I wasn’t sure whether to head to a friend’s place near Mapua or a relative in Nelson, or even whether I could get to either that day. I climbed over Hope Saddle and down to Kohatu. For a cyclist crossing Spooners there is now access to the Spooners rail tunnel, which was cool, literally. An easy coast down to Wakefield where I found my first open food outlet for the day — a bakery. While sampling the delights of the bakery I decided that the location near Mapua was achievable. After a quick visit to the Rutherford memorial in Brightwater I navigated across to my friends’ place. I’d decided that since that had been a long day I’d make it a short day and visit my in-laws in Nelson the next night. Since I was actually closer to Stoke than central Nelson, an early start had me riding in commuter traffic into Nelson’s CBD and then on to the Wangamoa Saddle. Once again l felt safer walking up the twisty climb, even though the speed limit had been lowered to 60 km/h. Grazing stops in Rai Valley and Pelorus got me to Havelock, with time to shop for dinner and set up camp. There were a couple of other cycle tourists that had just come off the Queen Charlotte track. The next day took me through Blenheim and a bit of retail therapy. From there, possible campsites seemed limited — Seddon would mean a very short day, so I was pushing on and hoping to get to Kekerengu. However, the wind was building and slowing me down, so when I spotted that a motel in Ward welcomed campers, I decided that was for me. From here I’d figured that to get home to Rangiora should only take me 3 days. The first was down the coast to Kaikoura, much of it on the highway that was rebuilt after their earthquake, including some interesting art installations telling a version of the Māori creation story. I found a campsite right in the centre of Kaikoura, despite a lot of accommodation being booked out for a weekend event. The next day involved a short bit down the coast to Oaro before turning inland. I was fortunate in getting through most of the Hundalee Hills before rain started, but by the time I got to Cheviot it was raining steadily and I was pretty wet. That prompted a stop in the tearooms, refuelling, and deciding I would get a cabin at the campground instead of camping. It was a good call, meaning I could dry my riding clothes a little before setting off the next morning. I was within 100 km of home! The next day started wet but I was dressed for it and made it through to a welcome café stop in Greta Valley. Although there were several possible stops on the way home, I decided I didn’t need to eat at them all. A second stop at Amberley was in brightening weather so it was a pleasant ride down the road and turning at Waikuku to get home to Rangiora. 12 days riding, 960 km. This is the 3rd part of Steven’s SI cycle tour. Earlier parts: Part 1 | Part 2 3 Autumn 2023 , p 21

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