Fireplace at Mangaweka
Fireplace at Mangaweka camp, riverside picnic area. ©2012 M Richardson
11 autumn 2025
Re-building my Toyota van part 2
I became aware of some shortcomings in the design
11 autumn 2025
Freedom camping: need to know, 2025
What you need to know about freedom camping.
11 autumn 2025
Self-containment warrant cards: Which ones are good for what?
But I am not freedom camping…
I’m just waiting to get a freedom camping fine as some official will decide that I’m camping when I’m actually parked using my RV as my means of transport, particularly in busy places like Queenstown, Tekapo or Wanaka.
11 autumn 2025
Getting your camping vehicle certified
An independent national network for self-containment certification
11 autumn 2025
Whisky Gully
Whisky Gully, Tapanui, Southland. Lovely views over the plains, and a great walk up the valley, and another through the bush.
11 autumn 2025
The red lights?
It’s like having the glow of a camp fire, without the fire risk. A party for one!
11 autumn 2025
Back on the boat (our caravan that floats)
It’s been nine years since we had a sailing holiday in our trailer yacht, Quasimodo.
11 autumn 2025
St Kilda, Dunedin
A lovely spot looking out over the beach towards St Clair. Dunedin allows freedom camping in non-reserve parking places. ©2022 M Richardson
11 autumn 2025
A camp oven is much more than just a pot
Camp ovens are designed for cooking on a fire, but they can also be used on gas burners. You can use a camp oven to cook everything from stews and curries to roasts, bread, cakes and puddings.
11 autumn 2025
Recipes for camping
Hot cross buns, Lentil and eggplant stew with gnocchi, Pork and vegetables in hoisin sauce.
11 autumn 2025
NIWA autumn forecast
A mix of anticyclonic flows and easterly quarter flows are expected.
11 autumn 2025
On the first day it rained and blew
The togs never saw the light of day at this weekend’s camp at Fortrose.
11 autumn 2025
Stop and Stay, Central North Island
Tuppence, Pirongia, Cafe 77, Manawaru, Rosie and Brian’s in Reporoa
11 autumn 2025