Orchard Update.

We have been very busy in the orchard over winter with much needed maintenance.




The end assemblies were finally finished and we were able to start on replacing the old wooden structures with Ag Beam. I was used as the gopher and had to haul the Ag Beam from where it had been delivered up into the orchard. It was in 8 metre lengths and quite heavy so it was a long slow progress until Marty had a brainwave and discovered with careful balancing we could load it around the driver on the tractor. I much preferred this way.



All the old timber, which was well passed its use by date had to be taken out. Marty chain sawed it into moveable pieces and I pulled it out and loaded it onto to the tractor to be taken to the burning pile.





We had a couple of vine lifters made so that we could lift the vines up enough to put the ag beam in place. They were invaluable.



We enlisted the help of our neighbour to speed up the job. Being younger he got to do any digging to correct post angles and anything else not suited to the over 50's.





The Ag Beam had to be joined using specially made joiners.





The final stage in the operation was the dumping of the old wooden structures onto the burning pile. I missed major injury when a 6 inch nail caught on my trou when I threw a piece onto the pile.



Time to start the next big job. This involved putting up netting along the easterly end of each block. This is to help reduce wind damage and increase temperatures under the canopy. His and hers vehicles were required for the job.




Marty had to do this by himself until the last block as I had to work. Earn real money!! By this time he had it down to a fine art and i was only needed to go back to the shed to get stuff we had forgotten or run out of.

First the netting had to be laid out allong the row.



Then one end was secured to the post and the wire threaded through. This was done by putting the wire on a spinning jenny, attaching it to the pre-threaded cord and Marty using brute strength to pull it through.






The next job was to lift the netting up onto the posts. It was quite a heavy job!





The final job was to attach to the end posts and staple the netting onto the posts in the rows.



Job done.

Tramp to Te Rereatukahia Hut and Tauhu Saddle

The girls have a 3 day tramp (hike) to Lake Waikaeremoana planned for December so I thought it would be a good idea to have a training session to see how unfit we really were. It worked.

The plan was to walk up through the Kauri Grove to Te Rereatukahia Hut where we would have lunch. This is a 2.5 to 3hr hike with 90% of it being steep uphill so it would be a real test for us. Then it was a uphill down dale walk across the ridge till we joined up with the Tauhu Saddle which would take us along a more leisurely track back to the car park.



Our first hazard was a river crossing. We all made it without getting wet feet although Trudie nearly pushed daughter Maddie in, trying to be helpful.



Once we were all safely on the other side the uphill climb began which soon sorted the men from the boys. I got the distinct impression that several of the "team" thought I fed them very misleading information on the severity of the climb.



The baby Kauri trees were quite impressive and we were all very greatful for the shade they provided. The ferns were equally as impressive.



Once we were out of the Kauri Grove I think I may have used the terms " gentle and undulating" to describe the terrain from there to the hut. I must have been thinking of another track by the amount of mumbling that was going on, including threats to show me the meaning of the word "undulating" in the dictionary.



The track levelled out for a while before climbing again for a short distance to reach the ridgeline.



The terrain went from covered bush to wind swept landscape with small grassy knolls. The perfect place to rest our weary limbs before the final push to the hut for lunch.



Janet, Maree and Josie were very pleased to get there. There was one tramper staying in the hut and soon after two hunters arrived. They would be joined later by two families who were also staying the night in the hut. Wonder if they got fresh venison?

After a much needed rest we made our way to the Tauhu Saddle. A slightly easier 1.5hr tramp up and down the ridge line.

As we neared the Tauhu track we had spectacular views across the Waikato one way and the Bay of Plenty the other.



The pic above shows the inner Tauranga harbour and the little town of Katikati.

The last two hours down the Tauhu Track were a breeze. 7 hours after we started we were all back at the carpark. The only downside to the day was that we were to late to go to the hot springs for a much needed soak. A great day out and we already have the next one planned.

I had a long soak in the bath and enjoyed a lovely meal prepared by Marty before having a very early night.

Back Road Adventures

The VOC Paper Plate Ride for October was to a little pub at Awakino on the West Coast about 100km north of New Plymouth. The direct route via the main highways held no appeal so along with our friends John, Heather, Tim, Beate and Hugh we made plans to get there via some back country roads. We met up with Hugh in Putaruru, (my home town) where he had already tucked into a pie and had a coffee. We headed off towards Arapuni, crossed the dam, continued on for a short while before cutting inland to take some nice quiet rural roads
through some of the Waikato's prime dairy country to Otorohanga where we met up with the others for lunch.


We headed out of Otorohanga and onto Waitomo Valley Road and onto Waipuna Road where we said goodbye to the seal for the next 100km or so.

We had to study the map a few times to ensure we stayed on the gravel. One of the little twisty roads reminded us all of Vietnam. Lots of fun.







Back onto seal and just before Waikawau Hugh had an off at 80kph, doing a magnificent 30 metre slide down the road. His front wheel had hit a patch of gravel. Minimal damage to bike and rider with his protective clothing doing its job.

We made a slight detour here and headed out to the coast as we wanted to go to the tunnel that leads to Waikawau beach. At one point we had to wait for a small mob of sheep to pass.
There was lambs, ewes and dogs going everywhere.



It is a walking only tunnel but Tim decided to take his bike through and had a wee bit of trouble
at the other end trying to turn it around, but with Beate and Marty man handling it the job was done.




Another destination ticked off the bucket list.

Since our last trip they have sealed Manganui Road and what a great motorcycle road it is now. Alas I fear the camper van fraternity will find it and it's low vehicle status will be gone forever. Marty and Hartles were having a little dice to be the leader. Beate and I decided we were not going to be left behind so we both upped the ante as well. An awesome ride. We all made it to the gas station with ease, especially Marty who has a 35 litre tank on his bike. It was only a short journey from there to the pub.

The publican was a little concerned as she didn't know how many of us would be staying the night and she didn't want problems with room allocation. 17 of us stayed in the end. We went for a short stroll around the town before it got too cold and dark.
No whitebaiters out. The recent rain had obviously made the water too dirty. Had a nice meal in the restaurant although Marty was a little disappointed with his whitebait fritters. They weren't up to the class of the ones at the Ross pub. A fun time was had in the bar with most of us hitting the sack around midnight.

After a big brekkie everyone we set off for home. We planned to visit my cousin 5 mins down the road at Mokau but he wasn't home so we increased the pace a bit and caught up with John, Heather and Hugh who were taken a less direct route back and one we fancied doing as well.
As we sped along the coast Mt. Egmont (or Mt Tarankai if you want to be politically correct) seemed to be rising out of the sea and then disappearing into the clouds. A beautiful sight but no time to stop for a picture.

About 20km south of Mokau we turned onto Waitaanga Road, which after a few km turned from seal to gravel. Just what we were looking for. We had about 40km of fun before arriving at Ohura. We'd had more sheep, cows, goats and chickens to avoid along the way, not to mention stunning scenery and only one other vehicle.









Ohura must have been a thriving town once upon a time if its large 4 lane main street is anything to go by. When we stopped there wasn't even a shop, let alone one that was open. The Cossie Club looked like it was still operating but I guess it struggles. The only sign of life was two young girls hooning up and down the deserted main street on a poor little kids 4 wheeler. We discovered the town's other residents were in church, singing to their hearts content.

So we saddled up and rode out of town. Had a lovely ride up the 4 to Te Kuiti where we stopped for lunch. We said goodbye to John and Heather here, they were heading on up to Auckland. We decided to ride with Hugh to Rotorua on the 30. What a cracker road. We never made Rotorua as after refuelling at Mangakino Hugh took off as leader- but in the wrong direction. We sat and waited as we figured he would see there was nobody behind him and come back. After 5 mins Marty went to look for him but couldn't find him so we decided to head home via Tokoroa.


All went well until just north of Tokoroa and I suddenly felt very deflated. (well my back tyre actually) so I pulled off the road and rang the AA. Lucky for me I have full Road Side recovery so I figured at the very worst I could get me and the bike taken home. Made the call and was told "Help is on its way". Great. An hour later nothing. Strange, as I'm only 5 mins out of Tokoroa and 20 mins from Putaruru. Ring again. They will contact the contractor and see where he is and get him to call me direct. No problem. 15 mins later AA ring back. There is no contractor in the area who can take a bike but hey, we have just located one in Mangakino who will be there just as soon as he gets a trailer and some straps. ETA approx 1 hour. I am less than impressed so tell them to cancel the call and they will be hearing from me. Ring Maree, who just happens to be at home doing nothing, so she very graciously agrees to bring the blue truck over and rescue me.



We eventually arrive home at 7pm having sat on the side of the road for 3 hours. A few people stopped, all of them motorcyclists (without their bikes). Three cops went past but not one stopped. No revenue to be had I guess. Despite this wee set back it didn't spoil a great weekend.

My bike is waiting for a new tube and tyre, plus new fork seals. But it will be up and running again any day and waiting for it's next adventure which is early November. Watch this space.