4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Halfway through my 73 days traveling Roland Jones Left Auckland 34 days ago, halfway through my 73 days traveling the South Island. Now in Cromwell then Arrowtown on the weekend. Noticed that it’s getting colder. Now I appreciate my diesel heater. ©2023 Roland Jones Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 8

6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption car-games-8_mw.webp ​ Car journeys with kids Rhonda Marshall No matter the age of your children, there’s always the car journey and the inevitable “are we there yet?” and “how much longer?” You can Google “how to entertain your child on a long car journey” or similar questions and find plenty of ideas, but here are a few ideas just to get you started. Screen activities Many parents are now opting for electronic devices such as iPads or smart phones with suitable apps downloaded and tailored for their individual child. This is definitely a winner with most children but raises other questions about screen time for children. Depending on the length of your journey and the time of day that you are travelling e.g. in the dark, parents will come to their own conclusions about how much screen time their children should have. Did you know in New Zealand all local libraries can give you access to a free app called Libby? (pictured). Also you can find out more online at overdrive.com . If you have a library card already you can pop into your local library and they will set you up. Libby gives you free access to books you can read, similar to a Kindle, but also has dozens of audiobooks for your listening pleasure including a range of children’s books. Looking out the window There are the usual games such as “I Spy” but these can be fraught with dangers such as something your child saw in the last town which was a good fifteen minutes ago! Depending on their eyesight and ability to read number plates quickly you can play “Hunt the Alphabet” where you go through the alphabet locating A to Z or find the letters to spell out names. Set a task of counting something like yellow cars, caravans, trailers or motor homes. Have a guess as to how many you might count before reaching a certain destination. Quiz games There’s the “I am thinking of something” which allows players to ask you a range of questions in which you can only respond yes or no until they will narrow down their questions to identify the “something” you were thinking of. Asking quiz questions is a great way to help build your children’s general knowledge. Again, you can Google something like “Quiz questions for children”. Number games You can ask passengers to add up the numbers displayed on number plates. When I was a child my parents often used car journeys as a time to learn and practice our times tables or similar. My brother, as the eldest, was learning his 7x; I was learning my 5x; whilst my younger sister was learning to count to 100. We took it in turns and once a mistake was made the turn passed to the next child. Downloading game sheets If you have time to prepare and access to a computer and printer, try searching “things to do activity pages for children” and narrow your search to images. There are commercially available activity books for children but selecting and printing your own from the internet can be faster. n Up Up 6 Summer 2023 , p 22

4 Winter 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Waihi Falls ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Te Paerahi (Porangahau Beach) ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Pukekaihau Pā, Waipukurau ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Puketapu Hotel ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Tutaekuri River The stunning autumn colours of the trees bordering the Tutaekuri River, with the now-destroyed bridge at Puketapu in the distance ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Dartmoor Bridge Reserve A great little quiet freedom camping spot alongside the Tutaekuri River just west of Puketapu. ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Dartmoor Bridge ©2023 Bette Cosgrove The Kaweka Ranges ©2023 Bette Cosgrove The Kaweka Ranges ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Glenfalls Campsite The Glenfalls DOC site on the banks of the Mohaka River ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Waitara Road A misty morning on the Waitara Road.©2023 Bette Cosgrove Stunning Pohokura Road ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Stunning Pohokura Road Pohokura Road follows the rim of an ancient volcano, taking you to Opouahi Scenic Reserve. ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Lake Tūtira ©2023 Bette Cosgrove Map Hawkes14-3_193839_W.webp Our thoughts are with all the locals who have suffered so greatly from the recent weather events which have devastated this area. Before the cyclone: Freedom Camping, Eastern Hawke’s Bay, Winter 2022 Bette Cosgrove We feel so privileged and fortunate to have made this journey a year ago, gathering such beautiful memories of the landscape as it was. Our thoughts are with all the locals who have suffered so greatly from the recent weather events which have devastated this area, and we wish them strength and patience as the clean up continues. The map shows the main areas we visited over a week, staying in freedom camping and DOC sites. Waihi Falls Waihi Falls is a hidden gem which was the first designated reserve in Hawke’s Bay in 1899. Self-contained vehicles can park overnight in the carpark above the falls where there’s a shelter and toilet. Te Paerahi A rainbow greeted us and we discovered a seal frolicking on the long, wild beach here. Te Paerahi (Porangahau Beach) — has a lovely council-owned ‘free camp’ area on the corner of Te Paerahi Street and Puketauhinu Place. Pukekaihau Pā, Waipukurau The historic Pukekaihau Pā site is on the hill overlooking Waipukurau. Walk up the hill from Hunter Memorial Park, in central Waipukurau. Te Hohou i Te Rongo is a 3.6m carved gateway welcoming visitors to the Pā. The stylised figures encompass the history of Pukekaihau pā, coming together in a hongi — the ultimate act of cultivating peace. Officially opened in February 2022, the Ngā Ara Tipuna project presents the history on the site of Pukekaihau Pā, which was a thriving Māori settlement from the 1600s until the 1830s. Puketapu Hotel The historic Puketapu Hotel was established in 1885. It was a community hub for locals during and after Cyclone Gabrielle. A year ago we enjoyed their award-winning cuisine and classic country atmosphere. Tutaekuri River The stunning autumn colours of the trees bordering the Tutaekuri River, with the now-destroyed bridge at Puketapu in the distance. This braided river flows east from the Kaweka Range to the Pacific Ocean south of Napier and Taradale. Dartmoor Bridge Reserve We found this great little quiet freedom camping spot alongside the Tutaekuri River just west of Puketapu. You must be self contained to stay here as there are no toilets or rubbish bins. The Kaweka Ranges Driving into the Kaweka Ranges in search of the hidden Mangatutu hot springs. After a 60km drive (an hour of it on unsealed gravel roads) we reached an impassable river ford on Makahu Road, which was still 7.5 km from the secluded hot springs destination. We turned around and enjoyed the return drive with snow capped peaks in the distance. Glenfalls Campsite Glenfalls DOC site on the banks of the Mohaka River is a basic campsite in a stunning location. We swam in the chilly river and witnessed an amazing moon-rise and starlit night. Waitara Road Heading east towards the coast we woke to a misty morning on the Waitara Road. Stunning Pohokura Road One of the most stunning drives we’ve ever experienced. Pohokura Road follows the rim of an ancient volcano, taking you to Opouahi Scenic Reserve. We walked around a high altitude lake through original bush surrounded by a 3km predator proof fence protecting a kiwi nursery. Kiwi chicks are raised here until they are large and strong enough to survive in the wild. Lake Tūtira Pohukura road comes out onto State Highway 2 near Lake Tūtira. Sadly the DOC camp area and the Hawkes Bay Regional Park campground here are now closed due to the recent cyclone damage. Up Up 4 Winter 2023 , p 19

7 Autumn 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Tent camping alongside beach, outside designated ares. Camped responsibly all night. Left no trace. Left site 6am. ©2024 Bette Cosgrove infringement fees/fines are $400 up to $10,000 Enforcement of freedom camping rules Miriam Richardson This is ordinary language and guidance only. Check the legislation yourself for the precise wording and detail† . Offences to avoid when freedom camping These offences are in Freedom Camping Act 2011, Offences Part 3, Sections 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20F, 20G and the infringement fees/fines are $400 up to $10,000. Camping where it is not allowed. Not having a valid warrant. Not displaying a valid warrant. Having more people than the vehicle is certified for. Display or present an altered or fraudulent warrant or self-containment certificate to an enforcement officer. Make preparation to freedom camp (“park a motor vehicle” or “erect a tent” “to use it for freedom camping”), where it is not allowed, or with too many people. Refuse to leave an area when told to by an enforcement officer (see next column). Refuse to give, or give false or misleading information to an enforcement officer (see next column). Bad behaviour towards an enforcement officer: prevent, impede, threaten, intimidate, use abusive or threatening language, or behave in a threatening manner (penalty up to $5k). Interfere with /damage the environment while camping. Deposit waste, not in a ‘proper receptacle’. Discharge “noxious, dangerous, offensive” substances that cause “a significant concern to” residents, people living nearby, or other users of the area (penalty up to $10k). Who has to pay Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 26 Any or all of the following: The person committing the offence. The registered owner of the vehicle. The person legally entitled to be in charge of, or the person using , the vehicle. Knowing or not knowing you have been ‘infringed’ Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 27 You may never know... .... you have been issued an infringement, and you might never receive it. These notices can be handed to you, attached to the vehicle, emailed, posted to the last known address of the person, or posted to the registered vehicle owner’s address. Any email delivery problems, out of date postal addresses, having no access to a postal address, not being the person who committed the offence (eg the vehicle owner rather than the camper), makes no difference: you are deemed to have been served. When the officer presses the email ‘send’ button, the email is considered properly delivered to you. When the normal postal delivery time has passed (anyone’s guess how long that is nowadays!), anything posted is considered delivered to you. What information must enforcement officers give? Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 34 They must show evidence of appointment, if you ask . It must show their responsibilities and powers and the offences they have been appointed to monitor. The must tell you, if you ask, what offence they believe you have committed (or are committing), if they ask for personal details. What information are you required to give? Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 35 Personal information You must give your full name, date of birth, full address, email address, telephone number, and occupation, IF an enforcement officer believes, on reasonable grounds , that you have committed or are committing an offence. If you are asked for personal information you are entitled to ask what the offence is that the officer believes you have committed (or are committing) and the response must be reasonable. You must also give personal details for, and the whereabouts of, any other person, connected in any way with the alleged offence (penalty up to $3k). Self-containment certificate You must produce the self-containment certificate, if asked, but they can only ask IF the enforcement officer believes, on reasonable grounds, you have committed or are committing an offence by camping or preparing to camp where not permitted. They have no right to inspect the vehicle. We have reports that enforcement officers in Kaikoura are being encouraged to do this, regardless of its illegality. See p18. You can be required to leave Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 36 Enforcement officers may require you to leave an area, but they must believe, on reasonable grounds , you are committing (or have committed) an offence. Impounding things Freedom Camping Act 2011, Section 37 & 38 Enforcement officers may seize and impound a motor vehicle or any kind of unit associated with a vehicle that can be used for camping (eg., caravan, poptop, teardrop, rooftop tent) (or a boat), if it is being used (or has been used) to commit an offence and it is “reasonable in the circumstances”. What counts as “reasonable”? The Act give some requirements: if “it is necessary” to protect health, safety, the environment, or to maintain access to an area. But, even if none of those things are true, if it “is, in the circumstances, the most appropriate action to prevent the ongoing commission of the offence.” Before impounding, the officer must: tell the person to stop committing the offence, advise them that impounding is on the cards, give them “a reasonable opportunity to stop committing the offence”. To get your vehicle back you have to: Convince them you aren’t going to commit the offence again. Pay for all the cost of the seizing, impounding, storing. You also have to pay any penalties/fines related to the offence that initiated the impounding. If your vehicle is damaged in the process of impounding, the cost is yours unless they were unreasonably careless. If you haven’t got your vehicle back within 6 months, they can dispose of it. † Check the law yourself: ckw.nz/FC-law Articles in this issue on the freedom camping law changes: Predictable problems with the new CSC green warrant system (p2) Editorial (p3) Self-containment warrant cards: Which one is yours? (p6) So you want to freedom camp (p8) What is ‘self-contained’, anyway? (p10) Enforcement of freedom camping rules (p12) I am not freedom camping' cards (p14) Do your bit: Task of the week (p16) No more freedom camping (p16) Kaikōura: the freedom camping Wild West (p18) Hey NZ Govt? You are messing with my mental health (p20) 7 days a week (p21) Celebrating Summer (p5) Up Up 7 Autumn 2024 , p 12

6 Summer 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption Mavis mavis_20231020_164738_th.webp Mavis ceiling and curtains Mavis diesel heating mavis external diesel heater Mavis internal solar Mavis external solar Mavis battery cooling Mavis at Mangawhai Mavis chooks Mavis chooks Mavis flamingos Mavis flamingos Mavis flamingos mavis_20231020_164738_mw.webp Mavis sink ​ Mavis and all her DIY Cheine Matheson It all started with needing a new roof hatch… well not exactly needing , but more a case of wanting . Out with the old and in with the new. Ceiling and curtains The problem now was that the shiny new hatch far exceeds the old worn ceiling; new plywood with a fancy grey paint-wash finish added to the list, and while I’m at it, I thought I might as well throw some left-over ceiling insulation in there too. House skirting boards were the perfect size and shape for ceiling scotia and made excellent curtain track mounts. Curtains were a must, so some home-made block-outs were made to fit perfectly around the whole inside. Here’s a brilliant idea… while everything is stripped apart, why not… This started what is known as “the slippery slope” or “the worm hole.” Here’s a brilliant idea… while everything is stripped apart why not add a “little bit” of solar power… so in went a few ceiling lights while telling myself I will not add too many things. Solar power — internal Burnsco and Jaycar… these are the only 2 shops you need, and they have a loyalty program so the more you spend the more “essential treats” you can get. Burnsco supplied me with the “100Watt solar package” which was so incredibly easy to install with a120Ah battery, 20amp controller and a 100Watt panel. Naturally I had to add a bluetooth module to the package so I could monitor everything without having to get out of the camp chair. Jaycar supplied me with all the wiring, switches, lights and accessories. There are usb ports and 12v cigarette sockets dotted around the inside plus an outdoor heavy duty power source. Everything is on separate, fused, master switches located in the “old fridge cupboard.” For extra “treats” I purchased a 300W inverter that I use for the portable broadband and sky decoder on those rainy days. Solar power — external After a few camping trips during the cloudy season I decided to upgrade the original 100W solar panel to a 200W panel. Now I have a 100W panel spare … and Mitre10 has a huge sale on tool boxes! I’m about quarter of the way down the worm hole now, but in my defence, it’s always good to have a back-up power supply… Right??? A very, very simple set-up, that is just a waterproof solar module to charge the battery from the original 100watt panel and a set of 12v accessory power supplies. The only downside to the solar module is you cannot see how much charge your battery has, however a green light comes on when at full capacity. Battery cooling With summer approaching I was a little bit worried about the heat affecting my batteries, so a quick shop on GrabOne found me a “Chicken Hut” cooling fan set-up, no power supply needed, a small solar panel powers the 2 fans when in sunlight so one fan went in the tool box and another in the inside set-up… works perfectly maintaining a steady airflow drawing air from under the caravan. Diesel heating Best thing I ever bought … don’t skimp on the heat output. I chose a portable 8kw unit that was also on GrabOne for only $200. I have run it all winter and never had a problem with it, the only thing I added was a fuel filter and upgraded the air filter. People say you only need 2kw however I have seen others have to run at full heat just to get a toasty room. With 8kw I only ever run it on absolute low. My theory is with the 8kw you use less diesel and power only having to run it on low. Over an 8 hour period I use 2.5 litres of fuel and about 10% of my 120Ah battery. Super quiet compared to a 2kw screaming its head off. The benefit of a portable unit is that come summer time I don’t need it, so save valuable storage space. The heat output duct is on a swivel inside so you can have it pointing straight out the door if the awning is set up and it warms the entire area within minutes. Sink The original sink was one of the first things to go, too small and very used looking. Top tip for searching caravan parts… search for boat parts instead. They are smaller and lighter… and for some reason cheaper. Easy quick install with a boat tap also. A 9 litre a minute electric pump, fitted alongside the water tank, feeds ample amounts of water via the waterproof push button switch. The tap has a separate on/off toggle on it that I turn off while travelling to eliminate any water dribbling through. Burnsco supplied all this and they have a huge selection to choose from. Maintenance Winter saw a lot of preventative maintenance, new tyres were fitted with the rims getting sand blasted and repainted at the same time. The chassis was already in great condition so I went over it again with a wire brush and repainted it with PA10 rust proofing paint just to make it really shine. Dwights waterproofing was applied to all the canvas — I was a little disappointed that it didn’t make the water bead off and thought I had wasted my money on it however it gives you that wet look when raining but dries almost instantly. It pays to waterproof both sides as per instructions too… only doing one side doesn’t achieve much. Future ideas Not a lot of other things to do at this stage, I am currently making a bracket to attach to the drawbar in front of the tool box that will hold a cantilever umbrella instead of having to put up extra poles and shade sails. Originally was toying with the idea of self-containment but I cant justify it as I prefer to frequent campgrounds and the free overnight camping areas that have the facilities for you. All the plumbing work I have done is up to self-containment spec though, in case one day I decide to go for it. Labour weekend at Mangawhai 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 6 Summer 2023 , p 6

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ What you need for a green warrant for freedom camping PGDB Here is the infographic from PGDB, the one's in charge. Go to their website for more information. www.nzscv.co.nz Infographic: ©2024 PGDB Freedom camping & self-containment 2 Where are we at with self-containment and freedom camping? 2 Who can freedom camp from now until 7 June 2025? 4 Getting your camping vehicle certified 8 Am I freedom camping? 8 What you need for a green warrant for freedom camping 10 Planning a toilet for the freedom camping green warrant? 12 Venting a toilet cassette: why, what, when and how 14 Keeping up with the self-containment changes 16 Composting and coddiwompling ︎ Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 8

5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ A small, beautiful cassette toilet Steve Allen There is a cassette toilet in that beautifully crafted cabinet. Photo ©2023 Steve Allen Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 16

2 Summer 2022 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption A dump mate Use our Dump Mate! Emptying the cassette with a Dump Mate, is a very quick and clean operation. Silicone grease CRC silicon grease for the rubber seals. A DIY tool for opening the cassette You can take the top right out of the cassette to give it a really good clean inside. Dont leave it behind Leave the Dump Mate bag in your cassette locker to remind you not to leave your Dump Mate behind. ​ Hints and tips on toilet cassettes Heather McMurdo Through our own experience, and also from talking to many people while demonstrating and selling our Dump Mates, we have picked up a few ideas to make things easier and cleaner. Empty often When we first started motorhoming, we tried to use every public toilet we could, because this would make our cassette last longer before we had to empty it, a job that John did not look forward to. This just seemed silly to me, when we had our own nice bathroom to use, but then I wasn’t the one emptying the cassette. Anyway, once we had our Dump Mate, this was no longer a problem, and we now empty every second day. We have noticed that this alone keeps the cassette much fresher, rather than trying to make it last four or five days. After-trip care When we get home from a trip away, John always half fills the cassette with warm water and a scoop of Napisan (or equivalent) and keeps it in the garage, giving it a shake every time he walks past it. Then he rinses it out, puts a dash of chemical in it and small amount of water. A ventilation kit We don’t really need to use a chemical, as we have fitted a Thetford Ventilation kit (similar to a SOG unit). This has a fan that ventilates through the floor, so we have no nasty smells in our motorhome any more. I can highly recommend it. We must have tried every toilet chemical on the market, and none really worked, (although to be fair, they probably lost their effectiveness after a couple of days). We still put a dash in the cassette as we have a few bottles to use up. Clean the inside of the cassette Every now and then, John takes the top right out of the cassette and gives it a really good clean inside. He has even designed a small tool to unscrew the top so as not to put too much pressure on the plastic. See sidebar. He also uses CRC silicon grease on the rubber seals. Use our Dump Mate! Emptying the cassette with a Dump Mate, is a very quick and clean operation. If we are emptying our grey water as well, we start this running first, and then do the cassette. Because we are putting the Dump Mate in the sewer pipe, and there is no spillage, there is no risk of contaminating your grey water hose. By the time you have emptied your cassette and rinsed it a few times, the Dump Mate is clean, and you just shake the water off, and pop it back in it’s bag. Then you can pack up your grey water hose, and both jobs are done. There is no mess, and the dump station (and your feet) are clean. This is a real bonus if the water pressure at the dump station is poor, or there is no hose. Use the cassette air-lock release button We have been surprised to hear, when demonstrating, that many people do not realise that their cassette has a button on the top, at the back to allow air flow. As you raise the back of the cassette to empty, hold the button in: you will find it empties much more smoothly. How not to forget to take your Dump Mate with you Another little tip is to leave the bag for the Dump Mate in your cassette locker when you take your cassette out. This will mean when you put the cassette back, you will see the bag and it will remind you to make sure you have your Dump Mate with you. You don’t want to leave it at the dump station. Up Up 2 Summer 2022 , p 29

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption some random tips Tips for campers Editor Disposing of empty small LPG canisters “I attach to my stove to make sure they are empty then bash a hole with a screwdriver and hammer, then put in recycling.” “You can drop them off at some recycling/transfer stations (check first).” Or use this tool, pictured: JetBoil CrunchIt. JetBoil CrunchIt. Calculating the rear axle load for rear bicycle racks How to calculate the rear axle load of a caravan, mobile home or campervan with a loaded rear rack. ckw.nz/axle-load-bike iOverlander A free website and app created to help overlanders on the road find their next destination. You can improve the data by updating and adding places you have been. There are 540 places in New Zealand so far. ioverlander.com Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 36

8 Winter 2024 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption how many have you visited> Game: DOC campsites, 2 Rhonda Marshall There are more than 200 DOC sites throughout New Zealand, 28 in the area shown in the map. In the grid below, fill in 12 DOC sites from the list below. One site will run vertically and the others will run horizontally across the grid. Map: © doc.govt.nz The puzzle does not have gaps between the words., eg., Te Pakau > TePakau. Anaura Bay Arohena Boulders Hot Water Beach Humphries Bay Kakaho Kaniwhaniwha Lake Okareka Lake Tarawera Outlet Makau Landing Manganuka Matataa Mid Okahu Road Ngaherenga Omahuru Orangihikoia Pahautea Hut Piropiro Rerewhakaaitu (Ash Pit Road) Rerewhakaaitu (Brett Road) Rosie Bay Sanctuary Te Pakau (Eight Acre) Te Taita A Makoro Verns Waikeramoana Holiday Park Whakaipo Whitikau View the solution Download the game as a pdf: game-8-06-24-CKW .pdf Download PDF • 1.34MB Download the solution as a pdf: game-solution-8-06-24-CKW .pdf Download PDF • 157KB Up Up 8 Winter 2024 , p 44

3 Autumn 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption We took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people ©2023 Heather Auckram We took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people ©2023 Heather Auckram We took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people ©2023 Heather Auckram Cooking marshmallows. ©2023 Heather Auckram ©2023 Heather Auckram I was invited to spend the New Year with friends at their crib at Papatowai. ©2023 Heather Auckram I rode on a trailer being towed along a long sandy beach. I squashed a few sandflies and went to bed blissfully happy each night. Catlins, Southland . Heather Auckram ©2023 Heather Auckram We took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people ©2023 Heather Auckram About 10pm the sun went down, so we put the lead on the dog and made our way to the beach. We set up our deck chairs and chilly bin and watched the huge bonfire being lit on the sand. It crackled into life and flames reached for the stars in the still air. People mixed and mingled, sharing a laugh and a story. I crept into my camp some time around 1am on a warm, star-filled night. Hello 2023. ©2023 Heather Auckram We dipped our toes in the cold sea. ©2023 Heather Auckram I went to bed blissfully happy each night HELLO 2023 Heather Auckram I was invited to spend the New Year with friends at their crib at Papatowai. To tell you the truth, it has been fifteen years since I was last in the Catlins. Shameful really; I live in Southland. The weather was perfect. Long hot sunny days with a warm gentle breeze. The drive over was easy, on good roads with little traffic and well signposted. I met my friends at the New Year’s Eve fair on the beachfront. There were markets and games and prizes to be had. I didn’t take any photos as I was so overcome with the joy of being at an old-fashioned fair like those of my childhood many decades ago. About 10pm the sun went down, so we put the lead on the dog and made our way to the beach. We set up our deck chairs and chilly bin and watched the huge bonfire being lit on the sand. It crackled into life and flames reached for the stars in the still air. People mixed and mingled, sharing a laugh and a story. I crept into my camp some time around 1am on a warm, star-filled night. Hello 2023. Over the following hot summer days, we took the dog on many of the easy bush walks (it’s amazing who you meet on the tracks — old friends and famous people), dipped our toes in the cold sea, rode on a trailer being towed along a long sandy beach, squashed a few sandflies and went to bed blissfully happy each night. Oh, I must tell you — there is limited mobile phone reception at Papatowai. I believe a couple of providers work, but I am with Spark and had no phone reception at all. Four days off the radar! If you want to stop the world and get off for a while — then Papatowai could be the place for you. I was shocked at how often I reached for my mobile phone. It was great not being beeped at on a regular basis or concerning myself with melodramas that are not even part of my life. I think I had developed a habit — but no more. My phone stays at home more than I do these days. Thank you Papatowai. Photos ©2023 Heather Auckram Up Up 3 Autumn 2023 , p 8

5 Spring 2023 BUY AUTHOR INDEX AUTHORS Click on image for full view and caption ​ Two uses Marg Taylor The saying goes that everything you take in your motorhome should have 2 uses. ©2023 Marg Taylor Up Up 5 Spring 2023 , p 29