Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption water_water-hog-attached_H.webp GO TO as the seasons change opinion, observation and a discussion topic Water water everywhere Marty Ireland Water Water everywhere not a drop to spare… poetic licence in the slight quote change. On a recent club camp I did a wee survey of the parked vehicles, caravans, motorhomes, buses and others to observe the water supply and disposal systems. A roll-away Filling an on board tank. Of 19 campers, there were 10 using a hog with rollaway, 7 with full on-board water and waste tanks, and 2 with a mix of supply and disposal. Water hog I did this with the personal experience of using a 50l water hog for supply and rollaway disposal tank, and having a daughter visit our caravan and use the fresh water rather wastefully. Upon chastisement, I proceeded to show her where the water was coming from, where it was going and the efforts to supply and dispose. Using a manual supply system of hog and rollaway tank makes one appreciate the efforts to do so and water-conservation thinking does kick in. I understand 1litre of water is 1kg so a full hog or rollaway tank is 50kg, nearly a dead body weight to move around when setting up, disposing and carrying as onboard cargo. The benefit of a hog is the flexibility to fill and dispose on demand, the ease of how and where to do so and not having to move your vehicle when you are set up for an extended stay. Those with inbuilt tanks have to consider whether to fill up before they go or onsite and/or consider whether their vehicle can approach, use, and exit from the dump or water service — access is not guaranteed. The weight of carrying onboard must be factored in, and maybe how the vehicle travels and tracks with that weight. Caravans have to consider the weight of water, as its location affects the stability and safety while driving (many carry the water in their tow vehicle for this reason). Onboard tanks are likely to carry more than a hog or rollaway, giving a longer, uninterrupted stay, and there is no need to actually carry the water, as the water is delivered via hoses. No right or wrong here, just a personal decision of what works best for you, be it your travel plans and systems, or your camp set up. 🏕️ Do your own personal survey next camp, observe, ask and learn. Photos from the internet Up Up Summer 2025 , p 10

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption mntce_rust-never-sleeps-H.webp GO TO as the seasons change whimsical maintenance tips On maintenance Maggie O’Rourke I am sure you have whimsical maintenance tips you would love to share or things you have learned the hard way, while camping the kiwi way. Here are my whimsical maintenance tips from my bus Keltic Star. Rust never sleeps even after you de-rust it, paint it and kiss it. Rust never sleeps, oh those dreaded rails The rear lights hide deep secrets and mini hobbit houses with green moss sprouting out around the bulbs. Hobbit home rear lights The seal around these rear lights, that once was new, now is expiring, if you can even find it, so long ago did it perish and shrivel. Rear lights The gas carver that vents the hot water often has surprises including the large 8-legged kind. Gas carver and unwelcome guest. The windows, up top and at the bottom can have a gap — you will find they hide more surprises. Much to my dislike, I found cockroaches and spiders a-glorie. The unmentionable smells that come from the shower trap or sink — vinegar and baking soda often fixes it. If really, really, bad, use Thetford Duo Tank Cleaner. Do not put coffee grounds, blood or fat down the sink. eewww. It ends up in your grey tank where it is so much harder to clean out. The smelly area often needs some bleach or baking soda and vinegar. If its really serious, has calcium build up, or a reptilian-scale look, then one has to get the big guns out and use Thetford Duo Tank Cleaner which has the down side that you must wait 16 hours before emptying. It’s a bugger if you are full-time on the road — that’s why one carries a bucket. 
A bucket. Got it. The smelly room: rust doesn’t sleep in here either. And there are gremlins. Water tanks need cleaning too, if you can. Lucky me, I have a tap, so I can water the lawn instead of wasting it in the gutter. Windscreen-wiper-water-thingies often clog up with dirt. Keep a pin handy and clean those suckers out; won’t fail a COF now. Insect screens on windows do need a bath now and again as do the windows behind them — be amazed at how black the cloth gets if they have waited a year or two. Heheheh. Inside and out, the windows need some love, especially to get those fairy footprints off. The underbody of one’s vehicle can also grow rust. Either get a mechanic to do it, sandblast it or do it yourself (my neck and back hurt for weeks; next time I will pay someone). Beware of road kill under there. Rust gone, yeah right, COF pass! I am sure I can tell you more, after 10 years on the road you learn a trick or two. Might wait ‘til the next magazine unless you beat me to it and share your tips first. 🏕️ Images ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Up Up Summer 2025 , p 22

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption recipe-chicken-bread-3-H.webp GO TO as the seasons change scones, quiche, chicken bread and butter Recipes on the road Various Lucy’s gluten-free scones This recipe is a bit different as it uses a gluten free bread mix. Being gluten intolerant and both dairy- and plant-based-milk-free I have altered this recipe a bit. To get Lucy’s gluten free bread mix (lucysglutenfree.co.nz) you can buy through Volare Bakeries (Waikato, volarebread.com), some supermarkets, Binn Inns or health stores online. There is a brown bread mix available if you don’t want white. Keep some extra gluten free flour on hand, in case, like me, your ‘dash’ of liquid is a wee bit generous (oops). These scones aren’t like normal scones due to the psyllium husk in the flour. You can also make a pizza base, cinnamon scrolls or Lemon Maple Drizzle Cake using the bread-mix recipes online: 
lucysglutenfree.co.nz/blogs/recipes. They made great buns and are really filling. 410g Lucy’s The White One Bread Mix 15g (3tsp) baking powder 150g butter, cubed and chilled 250g (1 cup) milk of your choice + extra dash (or use lemonade or ginger ale instead) Optional: Cheese & onion 100g grated cheddar 100g diced onion Optional: Date & ginger 100g chopped dates 3cm piece of ginger, finely grated 20g brown sugar Preheat oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking parchment. If you are doing the date option: In its own bowl, rub ginger into the sugar, and set aside ready for topping the scones. Place flour and baking powder in a mixing bowl, along with the chilled butter. Rub butter into the flour mix until it resembles bread crumbs, 3–4 minutes by hand. If you feel the butter becoming too soft, chill the mix for 10 mins. (NOTE:Keeping the butter cold throughout the whole process, leads to a more delicate, layered scone). Add in milk and mix to combine. This is the time to add in onion, cheese (reserve a bit for the tops) or the dates, if you are using them. Divide mix into 100g pieces, and shape into firm rough squares by hand, making sure they are standing tall. Place on to the baking tray and brush a light coat of milk on the top of each scone. If doing extras, dollop the ginger-sugar mix or a sprinkle of cheese on top of each. Put scones straight into oven, bake for25mins, until golden. Maggie O’Rourke. Photos: ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Crustless quiche 1½ cups milk ½ cup flour 1tsp baking powder 1 cup grated cheese 3 eggs 1 onion, finely chopped 2 slices bacon, chopped 1 tsp parsley 1 tsp salt pepper to taste 1 cup of veges. Suggestions: courgettes, grated; spinach/silverbeet, finely sliced; broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes, cold mashed potato (I usually use 2–3 of these). Mix together milk, flour, baking powder, cheese and eggs. Then add onion, bacon, parsley, salt & pepper and veges. Mix well. Pour into a shallow oven tray/dish. Cook at 180°C for 20−25 minutes, until golden brown and firm to touch. Leave to stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Enjoy. Jo Ravelich Zero-carb chicken bread loaf Super yummy. I tried the mince version too but I prefer the chicken loaf. Great loaf to bring as a plate and its also gluten free. 500 grams chicken mince ½ cup parmesan (or any cheese) 5 large eggs ½ tablespoon oil Salt to taste 2 tsp baking powder Optional: your seasonings Preheat the oven to 185°C . On medium high heat, in your frying pan, cook your chicken in oil and salt. Let cool. In a blender (or use a stick mixer), add your cooked chicken, eggs, parmesan cheese and baking powder, any optional seasonings and blend until smooth. Place your bread batter in a well greased loaf pan Bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Slice and serve! lowcarblove.com/blog/zero-carb-chicken-bread-loaf I made home made butter for the loaf — a messy adventure. See below. Maggie O’Rourke. Photos: ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke Home made butter: Kiwi Gold I think the last time I made butter was in a cooking class at college, and I never remembered it being so messy. Luckily I read the recipe first so I put a jug of water into the fridge to cool ready for the ice-cold bath. One thing I forgot to do was turn my hot water on to wash my hands after — yes I could have worn gloves, but the yellow mess between the fingers is super fun. I will soon tell you about that. Who’s tried making butter before? This is a once in a life time experience. Though the recipe says 5–7 minutes of mixing, it really depends on the mixer. I don’t have a fancy mixer in my bus, though was blessed to be at a camp ground so could use their power. The 7 mins went, then 10 mins and it looked nothing like what they said with separation of the buttermilk, I have no idea on how long it took, but finally, finally, it happened. I grabbed the icy water from the fridge, got the baking sheet out and an air-tight container. This is where the messy part comes in as you have to pick the butter up out of the bowl and squeeeeze the buttermilk out until it looks like a blob of butter, then you rinse in the cold water and squeeze more out. After several squeezing attempts you have butter. Then add some salt. Lick your buttery fingers and wipe off the rest Wrap it in the paper and put it in the container in the fridge. A spoonful of butter is super yum. Now what to do with the buttermilk? I tried making buttermilk icecream what a disaster that was. Homemade butter 2 cups heavy cream Salt to taste Add the heavy cream to an electric mixer. Start whipping the cream on low speed until it thickens slightly. Gradually increase the mixer speed to medium-high and continue to whip for 5–7 minutes, scraping down the sides every now and then. Continue mixing past the whipped cream phase, and you’ll see the cream begin to break into butter (fat molecules) and liquid (buttermilk). Remove the butter from the mixer (save the buttermilk for use later!) and squeeze out any excess moisture by repeatedly squeezing the butter through your hands. Quickly rinse the butter under ice cold water and add salt to taste. Store in either an air-tight container or rolled up in parchment paper. Keep it in the fridge and use within 10–14 days. justinesnacks.com/homemade-butter Maggie O’Rourke. Photos: ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke 🏕️ Up Up Summer 2025 , p 28

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption rvbooks-lightning-gelong_H.webp GO TO as the seasons change lightning risk in RVs is very low but far from random Lightning risk in RVs Collyn Rivers Lightning frightens, but lightning risk in RVs is very low. That risk however is far from random. Here’s how to reduce it yet further. About 80% of those struck were using a land-line telephone. This risk is falling fast as people switch to risk-free mobiles. Golfers however are particularly at risk, especially if swinging a club. Also at risk is anyone using an umbrella during a storm, or walking on a beach. It’s not that hard to reduce the odds! Some areas of Australia are especially prone to severe thunderstorms. These include the Blue Mountains, the Dandenong Ranges, the Kimberley, and the north of Australia (generally during the monsoon season). The lightning risk in RVs in these areas is very much higher than in most other areas. It is primarily for those living or travelling in such areas that this article is intended. Image: Lightning strike over Geelong (Victoria) in March 2012. Pic: (by Rod Howard) courtesy Geelong Advertiser. How lightning strikes At all times, the earth’s surface carries a typically negative charge. The upper atmosphere carries a positive charge. As a storm develops, the voltage difference builds up to many hundreds of millions of volts. Once the voltage between ground and upper atmosphere exceeds a certain level, the air ionises (i.e. electrons become freer to move). This eases the passage of a lightning strike much as straightening or surfacing a road initially eases traffic flow. So-called ‘step leaders’ reach down toward earth and (like early pioneers, the one that gets there first tends to set the route for that which follows). On earth, objects respond by sending out positive voltage streamers. When such a streamer meets a step leader, a conductive link is formed. The resultant current flow generates so much heat that the surrounding air literally explodes — resulting in thunder claps. Lightning risk in RVs – seek shelter if outside The most dangerous place to be in a thunderstorm is out in the open but there is usually a fair amount of notice. A good rule is to seek shelter once a thunderstorm is within 10km. That’s about 30 seconds between seeing the lightning flash and hearing the thunderclap. Stay sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last lightning is seen. If you are caught out, avoid becoming a positive voltage streamer — such as a golfer in mid-swing. Do not use an umbrella. You are actually safer if soaking wet as any current is more likely to pass through the wet clothing. If the risk seems very high, crouch down with feet together and with your head held low. Never shelter under a tree . If you have to stand, keep your feet as close together as possible. This is because a nearby strike causes voltage differences of thousands of volts per metre in the nearby ground. Having a few hundred volts difference between one foot and the other leaves you very dead. Absolutely do not lie down. Almost any form of building is safer than being outside but keep away from walls, metal plumbing etc. Do not use the loo (water is conductive). The lightning risk in metal-bodied caravans, motorhomes and coaches is exceptionally low. A metal structure (even of metallic mesh) provides a so-called ‘Faraday cage’ within which all current flows through the external metal to earth. Within such an RV you may not even be aware of a strike. If the storm is at least 10km away, lower the TV antenna (disconnect it at least). Physically disconnect all external power leads. Do not, however, do either if a storm is closer. ‘Cone of protection’ is a myth Ignore all campfire and forum internet mythology about the ‘cone of protection’ provided by tall trees and buildings. These attract lightning strikes. Such strikes cause a voltage gradient that spreads out on the ground beneath and near the sides of a tree or building. This can kill at up to 30 metres or more from that strike’s centre. Essentially nowhere outside a building or vehicle is safe whilst lightning is around. Whilst a vehicle’s tyres might appear to insulate the vehicle from earth, all rubber tyres now contain carbon. They are deliberately semi-conductive to limit static charge build-up. At lightning’s voltages, tyres become good conductors. In storm conditions, however, do not exit an RV holding the door handle whilst touching the ground. It’s best not to go outside anyway. All large external metal structures attached to a caravan or motorhome (e.g. air conditioners) should be bonded to the chassis using at least 6 AWG cable. Lightning rods These work by dissipating ‘electrical charge’ built up where the voltage difference does not become high enough to attract a ‘step leader’. They work best if they have a point at the top. That point concentrates and assists charge dissipation. A lightning rod is well worth having in lightning-prone areas — such as the Kimberley. Lightning risk in RVs that have fibreglass or composite bodied vehicles is reduced by having a conventional lightning conductor with a (sharp) spike. This should be well above the roof and earthed to the vehicle chassis via starter motor cable that runs externally. If you do this never use soldered joints as the massive current flow will melt them instantly. Instead have an auto-electrician crimp them for you. Lightning seeks the straightest path. To reduce lightning risk in RVs keep any such earthing cable as straight as possible and routed well away from where people may be. 🏕️ Lightning risk in RVs — further information For those seriously interested in lightning risk in RVs, the Standards reference is AS/NZS 1768:2007. Reproduced with permission rvbooks.com.au . 
Emphasis added. rvbooks.com.au/lightning-risk-in-rvs/ Up Up Summer 2025 , p 24

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption SS_Athenree-_20250902_090853.webp SS_Athenree-_20250902_090905.jpg SS_Athenree-_20250727_215332.webp SS_Athenree-_20250727_215048.webp SS_Athenree-_20250727_215015.webp SS_Athenree-_20250727_215131.webp GO TO as the seasons change Finalists for the 2025 Holiday Park of the Year STOP and STAY Athenree hot springs and campground Maggie O’Rourke Near Waihi, Bay of Plenty. Hot pools all year around is a treat if you stop and stay at Athenree Hot Springs and Holiday Park. This is the first campground I’ve been too that offers this many free nights: stay 4 pay 3 or stay 7 pay 5. With a max stay of 7 weeks this is a great winter stay-over. Close to Waihi, Waihi Beach and Katikati this is a prime campground. They offer an All Points Camping discount on nightly rates if you aren’t staying long enough for their special deal. There is a shuttle service to Waihi and Katikati; Waihi Beach RSA will do pickups and drop off; and a local taxi driver is available (talk to reception). This is a pet-friendly camp though there are restrictions over Christmas and Easter. The owners/management and staff are awesome and treat you like you’re not just a guest. Just recently after 100km plus strong winds, they rang everyone in campers and caravans to check if they were okay — I’ve never before been to a campground who would do that. This is true service, thanks Peter and Belinda. This camp was one of the finalists for the 2025 Holiday Park of the Year. Cabins, motels and camping sites are available. Facilities are clean and they offer hot-pools, shop, kiosk with coffee and pies, TV room, laundry, dump-station, kitchen and bathroom of course, and they are pet-friendly.There is a children’s playground across the road; kayaks and bike buggies are available for hire. Do not book online, contact them directly for all discounts and availability. Site fees (Oct 2025): Adult $28, children $19 per night. Don’t forget to show your APCNZ card to receive your discount. Cabins from $95; there’s a dog friendly cabin. Check their Facebook pages and website for cabin deals. Camp sites only: April through to November, excluding school and public holidays: choose either the club discount or these special deals. Stay 4, pay 3 — Stay 4 nights on one camp site and only pay for 3. Stay 7, pay 5 — Stay 7 nights on one camp site and only pay for 5. n athenreehotsprings.co.nz 1 Athenree Road, Athenree, 
Bay of Plenty 07 863 5600 Photos: ©2025 Maggie O’Rourke 🏕️ Up Up Summer 2025 , p 30

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption spring-four-camping-2_H.webp spring-four-camping-1.webp spring-four-camping-3.webp GO TO as the seasons change We are the only ones here, apart from the sandflies… Four of us went camping. Linda Butler 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 Up Up Summer 2025 , p 7

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption a-short-trip-52-wimbledon_8.webp a-short-Route52-book-cover.webp a-short-trip-52-waihi-falls_1.webp a-short-trip-52_3.webp a-short-trip-52-akitioSch-_2.webp a-short-trip-52_10.webp a-short-trip-52_4.webp a-short-trip-52_9.webp a-short-trip-52_6.png GO TO as the seasons change A short trip to some big country — Route 52 Christine Batt In early September, a travelling companion and I headed from Palmerston North for a few days exploring with my caravan along Route 52, on the east coast. The inspiration for the trip came from seeing Simon Burt talk at the Featherston Book Town about his newly published book, “Route 52. A Big Lump of Country Unknown” in which he records a number of trips into the area, with his caravan in tow. route52.nz Heading to the Tararua District from Palmerston North with the caravan was easily managed over the new Te Ahu a Turanga – Manawatū Tararua Highway, which is a sensational piece of engineering, and thank goodness for a slow lane to accommodate slow towers. The worrying bit of road was the Dannevirke/Weber Road, which was fearsomely described by Simon Burt , who had badly damaged his caravan when he went through there. It was my caravan that was being towed and I was more cautious than my companion, but with a lot of encouragement I agreed to give it a go. What an anti-climax! The expectation of hitting the bad bit never eventuated, and when we asked the locals, it transpired that the road had been extensively repaired 4 years before. The benefits of caravans vs camper vans is an ongoing discussion and we decided to maximise the caravan and car potential by basing ourselves at the POP at the Wimbledon Tavern and taking the car out for day trips. The Wimbledon Tavern (top) is an icon of NZ rural pub style , and has a round pool table, which is one of a kind. Hosts, Susan and Eric, were welcoming and informative and accommodated us for 3 nights, 2 of which we enjoyed delicious pub food. We would have eaten at the pub each night , but in early September, it was closed on Mondays. The first day trip was a round trip, recommended by Eric, with the first leg being inland to the Waihi Falls. They were in spectacular flow — our reward for tolerating quite a lot of rain over the previous couple of days . From there we took the Waihi Valley Road to Pongaroa. The Pongaroa pub has a reputation for a very good seafood chowder but is also closed on Mondays in early September. We hungrily sat outside the pub and made use of the first good internet service since Dannevirke. After an admin catch up , we took the Coast Road to Akitio which is a lovely old-school coastal community with holiday baches, a boat club (below), Norfolk pines, thundering ocean and with freedom camping permitted on the foreshore. The return trip was via the River Road from Akitio and then the Glenora Road (narrow and gravel) and out to Ti Tree Point, then back to the caravan for the second night, and very welcome food. The next day was another exploration, generally north of Wimbledon. First stop was Herbertville and a walk to Cape Turnagain, where in 1769 Captain Cook realised that he had completed a circumnavigation of the North Island and turned to head North again. We realised we were running low on petrol so headed for Pōrangahau which, enquiries assured us, has a pump, but no 96, so that lead to a reasonably big detour to Waipukurau. This was well worthwhile as the Two Taniwha Street Food container-shop served delicious sliders accompanied by beer. We were a bit fixated with finding food by this stage. Now fed, and not yet done with exploring back roads and coastal communities, we took advantage of the trip to Waipukurau to head out to the evocatively named township of Blackhead and then along the coastal roads back to Wimbledon. This is certainly beautiful and remote part of the country, and our flying trip, which covered many kilometres, left a real appetite to head into this fascinating area for longer stays. Keep in mind: The area is being heavily impacted by pine forests, and the small communities that would have previously managed through the custom of locals are struggling as people are replaced with trees. Because of limited internet coverage, maps are essential. The Kiwi Maps Rural Road Maps 250 series, maps 7 and 8 covered the whole trip, and much more country waiting for the next adventure. My map reading skills were very rusty — a shortcoming that was commented on more than once. In preparation I suggest that you read Simon Burt’s book, buy the maps, listen to the Warratah’s song about Cape Turnagain and stock up on food and petrol, or at least enough to get you to Waipukurau for a slider and a beer. 🏕️ Photos: ©2025 Christine Batt Up Up Summer 2025 , p 5

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption buyer-beware-disputes tribunal-H.webp GO TO as the seasons change We won!!! Buyer beware update: We won! Anon We had to go to the Disputes Tribunal regarding our leaky 9 year old caravan. (Read our story about it: ckw.nz/buyer-beware) The fact that we had an issue on our first night helped us win our case, and that the seller mentioned it was water tight. I’d also asked if he kept it, what improvements he would do, to which he responded ‘nothing needed doing’! What we learned When buying a caravan, a seller is usually keen and helpful with regards to viewing etc especially from a distance. Ours wasn’t. Not keen to hold it or accept a small deposit. We should have walked away at this stage. Dishonest sellers Since our experience we’ve heard of someone else who has issues with a leaky vehicle and another person who was scammed and paid for a caravan but there wasn’t one. Be wise in your research friends. Learn from us. It’s not worth the heartache and stress. Name withheld. More for buyers Buying used caravans From Collyn Rivers: Helpful tools when conducting a used caravan inspection include a torch, a damp meter, a ladder and a tape measure. If you can, take along someone who knows about caravans. Unlike cars, a well-made caravan may last for decades with only minor areas that need attention. Not all are like that, however. Read the story in Issue 9 Or buy the book 🏕️ Up Up Summer 2025 , p 38

Summer 2025 ISSUE 13 BUY PDF Contents Click on image for full view and caption spring-going-to-walk-H.webp spring-going-to-walk.webp GO TO as the seasons change I forgot to pack my tramping boots I was going to walk to the end of the valley Tony Kissel I was going to walk to the end of the valley but I forgot to pack my tramping boots, the avalanche warning signs kind of put me off as well. Temple Valley. ©2025 Tony Kissel Up Up Summer 2025 , p 7

OUR ISSUES 13 Summer 2025 11 November 2025 • A short trip to some big country — Route 52 • The hospital visit for my bus • Come camping • Emergency links on the road Read online Read A4 PDF 11 Autumn 2025 30 March 2025 • Here and there last summer • Choosing a caravan • Loading a caravan • The joys of a camp oven Read online Read A4 PDF 9 Spring 2024 1 September 2024 • Towing your caravan • North Island hot pool safari • New choices for fixed toilets • Recipes for camping Read online Read A4 PDF 7 Autumn 2024 1 March 2024 • Navigating freedom camping law changes • Hitting the road full time • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 5 Spring 2023 1 September 2023 • Grandad’s Grandad’s caravan • Pros and cons of full time family travel • Why not stop and stay awhile? • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 3 Autumn 2023 1 March 2023 • CAMP FEST • Family friendly tramping • A beautiful country but... • Saving rural communities? • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 12 Winter 2025 31 July 2025 • South Island caravan adventure; • Chilly chilly chilly camping; • Off-grid power; • A honeymoon in 1960; • Making toast. Read online Read A4 PDF 10 Summer 2024 1 December 2024 • Double-digit highways • Freedom camping • Accessible camping • Travelling with pets Read online Read A4 PDF 8 Winter 2024 1 June 2024 • We enjoyed Autumn • The dangers of carbon monoxide • Composting and coddiwompling • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 6 Summer 2023 1 December 2023 • Mavis and all her DIY • 10 tips for family camping trips • Fire safety • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 4 Winter 2023 1 June 2023 • Let’s go south for a few weeks • Winter’s here: glorious times • Before the cyclone • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF 2 Summer 2022 1 December 2022 • Take a left turn • Cycle touring • Caravan Tips • Stop and Stay • RV businesses and services Read online Read A4 PDF ISSN 2815-827X (Online) | ISSN:2815-8261 (Print) editor@campingthekiwiway.org

11 autumn 2025 Autumn 2025 ISSUE 11 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption SS-tuppence-H-entrance_5.webp SS-tuppence-entrance_5.webp SS-tuppence-number2_4.webp SS-tuppence-cabbage-dog_1.webp SS-tuppence-pirongia_3.webp SS-tuppence-wellness_2.webp SS-cafe77-H.webp SS-cafe77-map.webp SS-cafe77-sign.webp SS-cafe77 sites.webp SS-reporoa--6.webp SS-reporoa--2.webp SS-reporoa--4.webp SS-reporoa--5.webp SS-reporoa--7.webp SS-reporoa-butchers-12.webp GO TO Here & there last summer STOP and STAY Stop and Stay, Central North Island Maggie O’Rourke This summer I decided that I would go and check out some of the stop and stays on the website. What a delight discovering these places and new ones. Maggie O’Rourke and keltic star Tuppence, Pirongia One of my stays was at Tuppence in Pirongia — one couldn’t stop singing the Penny Lane song after that. I was greeted by Ursula our host and parked up and was shown where everything was, including water, recycling and compost bin. It didn’t take long before I felt like I was at home for my four day stay. I told Ursula that I was meant to have a water filter put in that day and when her husband got home from work he put my filter in free of charge and had a quick look at my tyres to see if they were okay as he works at the tyre shop in Te Awamutu. Truly blessed and grateful. They have a very entertaining dog, who quite happily stole a cabbage I was given off my lap and never gave it back. What a delight, chasing a cabbage-eating dog. Really enjoyed staying here. They have a lovely quiet rural property on the edge of Pirongia Village and are great hosts. They are 5 minutes away from the village by vehicle and about 15 minutes walk to the shops. Te Awamutu is 15 minutes away and the Mobil Station has the only dump station in the area (but no water tap). Ursula and her hubby are members of All Points Camping and have been running this park-up property in Pirongia for 10 years and have just recently put the price up from $5 to $10 non-powered, $15 powered per unit. Bookings essential. Open all year around and pet friendly. Pirongia village offers the following: a Four Square, hairdressers, bakery, cafe, the hive gift shop, book exchange at the community hall, psychic reader, colour therapist, massage therapists, acupuncture, Tai Chi, community classes, monthly and annual craft market, church, sports grounds, and river walk. The historic museum and visitors centre tells you the history of the area and famous people like Mary Scott (novelist) and the Māori wars. They have a walking map of archaeological redoubt sites in the area. Pirongia Heritage & Information Centre pirongiaheritage.org.nz . The next Annual Craft Market, which I highly recommend is on a Sunday at the end of September. There are also walks available on Mt. Pirongia which is a 15 minute drive from Penny Road at the Pirongia Forest Park. I highly recommend the nature walk for a picnic or an outing. ckw.nz/doc-pirongia The highlight of my visit was exploring the village, going to the heritage centre, the walks, seeing the future site for the Pirongia Wellness Centre where I had a picnic with my cousin, and the Sunday Food and Craft Market, on the last Sunday of the month at the community centre, where I got some fresh veggies and something crafty and small for my bus. Cafe 77, Manawaru Another great place to go to is the Community View Motorhome Caravan Park and Cafe 77 at the heart of Manawaru. It’s a lovely rural spot 15 mins from Te Aroha and 20 mins from Matamata. They have a lot of visits from cyclists doing the Hauraki Rail Trail and tourists. It was lovely seeing our All Points Camping sign on their park over property, in the cafe window and the flyers inside. They make good coffee and yo yo biscuits the old fashioned way —super yummy. Booking is essential to park in the self-contained camping area. They can fit up to 20 vehicles (for a group) but normally there are 10 spots to park-up on the grass. Open all year around. For $10 a night per unit, you have access to the toilet block, power points to recharge your bikes and wifi, as mobile reception is bad here — ask for the wifi password at the cafe. Bookings can be made at reception next to the toilet block or online. A post box is provided to pay after hours. Also on site are bike racks, a bike tool kit and an air compressor. Cafe/reception is open from 8am–3pm with the kitchen closing at 1.30pm.There’s a large event area with a climbing wall and plenty of seating onsite. Lovely spot to either stay, visit the historic old dairy company, historic churches, or have a beverage or something to eat. ckw.nz/camp-cafe77 Rosie and Brian’s, Reporoa What a hidden gem for a POP. I now know why it was recommended to me by members. Is it worth staying here? 100% yes! When I rang to book my stay I got Brian on the phone, with a huge welcome and the directions of 2 yellow vegetable signs and where to park in the 2nd paddock with the caravans. Of course his directions were spot on, but I still managed to overshoot the drive — if you’re heading either way and see the Reporoa sign you’ve gone too far. I tell you, what a welcome! I think why people stay is due to our lovely welcoming hosts Rosie and Brian. They have been operating this site in their paddocks for 8 years, back then it was a gold coin to stay and to help campers out. Brian is a master grower, not bad for 79, 80 this year. Their market vegetable shop and Rosie’s knitted clowns are for sale for cash only. It’s been a delight to stay here for a week learning about our hosts and having homegrown fruit and veges on the doorstep. People travel from Taupo to get their fresh produce here. Though not classed as organic with a certificate, it’s pretty close without that label attached. The vege shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8am– 5pm-ish. So what does this POP offer us? Well where does one start? The longer I stayed more I discovered. The cost is $5 per unit per night. ■ou need to be fully self-contained. Tents are welcome, but you need your own toilet. Generators are allowed but please be considerate. Vege shop is open to pay 7 days a week please put money in blue container if they are not in the house or garden. Open year round and no time limit on your stay. Pumice ground for winter stay overs. Potable water. Book exchange. Shelter hut and stage with a piano and couch. Compost bin. Fire pit and bbq area —firewood is available for a donation. Dogs welcome, on a lead. All ages and groups welcome (groups: book in advance). Members and non members welcome. Book your spot by contacting them by phone but please be considerate and don’t ring too late. Nearest dump stations: Rotorua, Wairakei BP (often blocked), Taupo and Kinloch. What’s in the area Fishing at the bridge or by boat on the Waikato River (Brian knows all the best spots); shopping or tourist activities in either Taupo, Rotorua or even the mountain. If you go to bookme.co.nz you may get a bargain of 20–90% off activities and food. Butchers Pool The best kept secret in the area is 19km away, towards Rotorua: Butchers Pool, a free thermal pool. It’s so secret that you think the Google Maps are wrong as there is no sign, but someone’s house numbers are on the fence. It seems the locals don’t want you to know their secret and the sign often disappears. Coming into the dirt road is like a tankers track narrow and rough, me poor girl got shook up a bit (the bus not me); I was praying that no-one took us on coming the other way as there is no room to pass. Toilets, changing rooms and rubbish bins are onsite. Hot thermal pools according to my thermometer sit between 40–42°C. Beware when you climb in as the steps are slippery and pay attention to the signs saying not to put your head under (to avoid bacterial meningitis, a danger at all natural hot pools). Reporoa is 21km away. Another delight. Reporoa Valley Traders & Post Shop; Awaken cafe (8am–5pm Mon–Fri), I highly recommend their coffee and food and the staff are so welcoming and helpful — I ended up asking umpteen questions on the area. The op shop behind the playground on the main street is open 11am–4pm Thursday only. There is a fish and chip shop (11am–7pm, every day). Bake House (5am–5pm/6pm); Reporoa Food Market plus Lotto (7.30am–6.30pm, every day.) The Woolshed Tavern offers drinks, meals, a bottle store and takeaway meals (11am–8pm or 10pm, every day); there is a car mechanic, a tyre shop, police, health centre, vet, and playground. Though Taupo is the same distance from Rosie and Brian’s as Reporoa, Reporoa is not as busy, you can find a carpark, find a seat at the cafe and you can relax way more. Bliss. Plus the Butchers Pool is free just up the road. Up Up 11 Autumn 2025 , p 30

Winter 2025 ISSUE 12 BUY PDF ToC Click on image for full view and caption ss-sanctuary-fb11.jpg GO TO CHILLY CHILLY CHILLY OUT THERE STOP and STAY Stopping, Staying, Skiing Angela Bryan North Island: Stopping, Staying, Skiing Sanctuary Farm 1464 Whangaehu Valley Road, Kakatahi, Wanganui Amazing peace and serenity surround you in this little out of the way spot. Enjoy time just chilling out, maybe swim in the pool or sleep in the sun. Bring your horse, there is plenty of space for them. No other pets allowed, sorry. WHO: Room for larger vehicles including horse floats and the horse. No dogs sorry. FACILITIES: Toilets. ACTIVITIES: Only 30 minutes to both Central Plateau ski fields. Enjoy free use in the evenings to soak in my super duper eco friendly wood fired steam punk spa. Sip your favourite plonk and look at the stars. Gold coin donation would be mint… Stratford A&P Park 9 Flint Road East, Stratford Basic Stop and Stay property. Town-supply water and toilets on site. A short distance to shops and cafés. Nestled under Mount Egmont/Taranaki and close to historical sites. $5 per van per night unpowered, $10 with power. Honesty box located on hall door. WHO: Dogs allowed, 3 nights max. FACILITIES: Toilets, fresh water, large vehicles. ACTIVITIES: Only 30 minutes to the Manganui Ski Area. South Island: Stopping, Staying, Skiing Terako Downs 1759 Inland Road, Lyford, North Canterbury With 6 hectares of outstanding natural landscape at Terako Downs you will wake to the call of native birds and the trickling river. Enjoy the ambience of the sweeping landscape in the evening while exploring the region during the day. Must be self contained. WHO: Room for larger vehicles, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, kitchen. ACTIVITIES: Less than 30 minutes to Mt Lyford Ski area. More on Terako Downs in Issue 10 Waiau Tavern 18 Lyndon Street, Waiau, Nth Canterbury No charge for the night, butneed to buy something in the cafe/bar. There is grassed area, where the old hotel used to be, and some hard stand. There are walks and bike rides based in Waiau, and interesting historical exhibits all year, and a cob cottage and museum that is open most of the year. The locals are very welcoming and enjoy chatting with visitors. WHO: Day trippers, cycle campers, tents, vehicles large & small, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, fresh water, food and drink. ACTIVITIES: 45 minutes to Mt Lyford Ski Area. Read more on Waiau from issue 5 Bluff Farm POP 926 Ashley Gorge Road, Oxford, Canterbury Bluff farm is a working dairy farm, with access to many walks, cycle tracks and Oxford is 10 mins away. Oxford has a variety of shops, cafes, working men’s club, pool, vet, supermarket and pharmacy to name a few. More . WHO: Tenters, small and large vehicles, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, shower, fresh water. ACTIVITIES: 75minutes to Porters Alpine ski area. Advanced Upholstery Darfield 3967 West Coast Road, Darfield, Canterbury 35km west of Christchurch, Darfield is a hub for holidays focused on activities in the Canterbury region. With a backdrop of the Southern Alps, close to the Waimakariri River and the limestone landscape of Castle Hill. Walk, explore, enjoy water sports, off road adventures walk or sit back to relax and revive. WHO: Self contained, pets welcome. FACILITIES: Toilets, laundry. ACTIVITIES: 50 minutes to Porters Alpine Ski area. 🏕️ stopandstaynz.org Up Up 12 Winter 2025 , p 36