Mon, 2nd Mar, 2026 Harewood Lodge, Christchurch to Linfield Park free camp, Christchurch, NZ (picked up camper)

USA has bombed Iran and Dubai Airport was hit so all flights cancelled and Qatar as well, they turned around and brought passengers all the way back. Hope it all gets sorted before Leanne and I fly over. So sad for the travellers on their way or just about to go on their trips.

Found something for breakfast then packed our bags ready to Mr Singh the taxi driver to collect us. It is still raining. I was going to challenge him on the price for last night but we were just glad to have gotten here and have him take us back to StarRV to pick up the camper. Mind you he still added on the $5 last night and it was dearer to take us back! We had paid him cash so it should have been cheaper - we learnt that lesson.

Our pick up time is 8.30am and there are already a heap of people waiting to collect their vehicles and a couple dropping theirs off. There is a great map on the wall of both islands.

Not sure if we will get to this place. I thought a town in Wales had the longest name. Googled it and yes NZ wins - this 85-letter hill name is the longest place name but Wales holds the longest inhabited village name of 58 letters.

Apparently our van only came back last night after a long hire so they want to give it a service and full clean. You would think they would sort out the time for that before telling us to come in so early. He didn’t ask us to pay the remainder till we actually got the vehicle. They had a coffee machine in the waiting room so we had a couple of drinks and chatted with other travellers. A couple from France were very informative about my trip over there and we told them about things to see when they head back to Aust. Chatted with a young couple from Auckland too having a few weeks exploring on the South Island for the first time.

By 11.30 we were getting hungry so I asked how things were going. The lady said still a little while and offered us a little car so we could drive to a cafe down the road. The sun has started to break through the clouds which is promising. We headed back to the huge Bunnings store near the airport to see if they have a cafe inside like ours do. They did so we got a pie and drink but the lady thought the other chap was with me so rang up his food on my order - I thought it was a bit dear. When she realised she reimbursed me with cash.

Back to StarRV and chatted with other couples who have been waiting all morning too. Not very organised! Lucky I didn’t have much planned for this afternoon other than getting groceries. They have wifi so Steve entertained himself with our tablet.

At 2.20pm the chap said our ‘home’ was ready. We have a 2024 Polaris 2 (6.4m long, 2.6m high) with diesel Fiat Ducato automatic.

We checked it over then he went through all the bits and pieces with Steve. He turned the fridge on - shame that wasn’t on earlier to cool it down before we do our shopping but it isn’t very hot here. We are still in 3 layers! He said the electric step doesn’t work but there was a folding step we can use. I said I had better pay now - he laughed as it said on the form that we had sorted that. Should have kept my mouth shut, haha. He gave us the day cost back since we had just got it then he said there was a merchant fee - they don’t tell you that when you book it. I had wanted to do a bank transfer but they don’t do that. Another $300 to the cost of the camper and then to top it off there is a $76/1000km travelled diesel tax to pay when we take the camper back in Auckland and $50 for adding me as the other driver.

All sorted and off we went. I googled up the closest Woolworths and headed there. It is only a small fridge so grabbed a few things, other groceries and drinks and packed them into the camper. The suitcases are on the bed so will sort them out tonight. There are 4 cupboards above the bed for the clothes and a few cupboards under the kitchen and under the seat for storing things. We get linen, duvet, towels, pots, pans, cutlery, plates etc.

Drove into the city centre to check out where to go for our walking tour tomorrow morning. All the car parks are 120min paid ones but we eventually found some free ones further over so will come back in the morning and grab one of those.

Drove eastward alongside the Avon River to find a free camp near a sporting area. 48hr for self-contained vehicles, which we are. No one else is here. Parked in the car park by the road and unpacked the suitcases etc. Steve took our camp photo.

Cooked burgers for dinner. Still light outside at 8.30pm. Just had a wash for tonight - will sort the shower out tomorrow. We are both exhausted - hard work just sitting around. Hope we get a good sleep tonight - always hard getting used to a different bed and pillows. At least we will have this bed for the next 2 months.

Here’s some info I found out before we came over -

NZ was nearly the 7^th State of Australia. In the 1890s New Zealand was invited to join the forthcoming Federation of Australia. NZ Premier Richard Seddon called a Royal Commission in 1900. the commission reported that: The stretch of some 1200 miles of sea … is a weighty argument against NZ joining the Commonwealth.

Sun, 1st Mar, 2026 Ibis Budget Hotel, Brisbane Airport, Qld to Harewood Lodge, Christchurch, NZ (by Qantas)

Up very early to be at the International Terminal 3 hours before our flight at 8.25am to Christchurch, New Zealand. Did our bag check-in, all automated - where’s the human touch. Then through security and Border Patrol check of our passport with an automated facial recognition thing. Then through Duty Free and bought a bottle of Kahula to drink over then and another bottle and 3 rums to pick up on our return - certainly cheaper. Got some breakfast - they don’t miss you for that, $48 for 2 rolls and 2 coffees!

Along to our boarding gate to wait. On board - no leg room. I didn’t pay the extra for the leg room as it is only a 3 hour flight. Eventually we headed off for the long taxi ride down the tarmac then off we go. 

Nice view over the Brisbane River as we took off.

Onto our Qantas plane - last time I did this was to Auckland in 1982 for a coach tour around the two islands. Loved every minute of it and made some great friends, three that I am still in contact with. Unfortunately that flight was from Cairns to Brisbane first and we landed hard knocking the ceiling out of first class so we had to wait for a new plane and crew so I didn’t get to my accommodation in Auckland till 3am the next morning. Certainly made landings something that I didn’t like for a while.

Sadly they have crammed the seats too so not much leg room but the seat was comfortable. Good service - nice hot lunch, drinks, snacks and lots of movies to watch.

There was a moving map to watch with details of our height, speed and the very cold temperature outside -55 degrees when we at our highest.

Took a few photos of the ‘long white clouds’ with peeks through the clouds at mountains below us and a river.

Heading into Christchurch.

We have landed. Let the adventure begin.

Unfortunately it was raining when we landed so not the best views on arrival.

Landed in Christchurch at 3.10 pm NZ time (daylight saving time) as it is 3 hours ahead of Brisbane now. Through Customs - all good. Collected our bags then put them through the big x-ray machine then out we go.

New Zealand (Aotearoa in Maori) - Land of the Long White Cloud. It is called this because of the long, white cloud formations that early Polynesian explorers, specifically Kupe and his wife, Kuramarotini, spotted on the horizon, signalling the presence of land. Over 1,000 years ago the Maori came by canoe from a South Pacific homeland called Hawaiki. 100,000 Maori were here prior to European settlement. The 1^st European to discover NZ was Dutch explore Abel Tasman on 13 Dec 1642 when he sighted the southern alps and anchored in Golden Bay near Nelson. Captain Cook circumnavigated NZ after his cabin boy sighted land near Gisborne on 6 Oct 1769. Whalers, sealers and traders followed, by 1839 there were 2000 Europeans in NZ. Lte-Gov Capt William Hobson arrived in 1840 and signed the Treaty with the Maori chief on 6 Feb 1840 at Waitangi, Bay of Islands. There were gold rushes in 1860s. NZ independence from Britain was proclaimed in 1947.

New Zealand is about 268,000 square kilometres - similar to UK or Japan but by comparison has just over 5 million people compared to 125 million in Japan. 

Got a taxi to our accommodation on the other side of the airport. Another small place but nice and clean. Arranged for the taxi driver to pick us up in the morning to take us to pick up our camper at 8.30am.  

Pouring with rain so didn’t take a photo of our home for the night - Harewood Lodge which is part of the golf course on the other side of the airport. Chap was very helpful. No food outlet nearby but he said to help ourselves to anything in the communal kitchen so it was cheesy toast and cuppas for dinner tonight. We were so tired we just wanted to go to bed.

Nice hot shower and we had the heater going in the room as well as the electric blanket so we were very snug as thunder rumbled outside with flashes of lightning. Forecast is for it to clear up in a day or so.

Virginia messaged - they are in Christchurch for a birthday party so if we need help with anything to let them know. I got our NZ phone sorted and sent her our number. Had problems with that too as Steve’s phone said it was network locked so I had to put it in my phone.

 

 

Sat, 28th Feb, 2026 Terry’s place, Bundaberg to Ibis Budget Hotel, Brisbane Airport, Qld (by train)

Bit sunnier this morning as we loaded the suitcases in Terry’s car and he drove us to the train station. Said our goodbyes then boarded the train - nice roomy seats in Business Class! Free glass of orange juice on arrival and newspapers to read too.

Nice trip - great way to travel to Brisbane.

Jenny and Paul were at Roma Street Station to pick us up. They took us for a drive around the area visiting their old homes then around to our hotel. Not the flashiest but the bed and bathroom are clean but we won’t be walking to the airport! When I booked it said there was a shuttle but apparently not any more but they have a button to push to call a taxi so will do that in the morning.

Had dinner in the communal dining room then back to our room to watch TV. Set the alarm for an early wake up so we can be at the airport by 6am for our 8.25am departure.

 

 

 

Fri, 27th Feb, 2026 Terry’s place, Bundaberg, Qld

Quiet day at Terry’s with showers of rain on and off. Read books, watch TV and did my cross-stitch.

 

 

 

 

Thurs 26th Feb, 2026 Geck Family beach house, Woodgate to Terry’s place, Bundaberg, Qld

Beautiful clear blue sky but very windy from the south-east for our walk this morning. By the time we turned and headed back the sky was covered in clouds so the wind had been bringing the clouds to us. Forecast is for some rain and heavier rain tomorrow hence we decided to head up to Bundy this afternoon.

Packed up the stuff we had out and suitcases packed so ready to go.

Relaxed reading and doing my cross-stitch. A few misty showers through the day.

Terry arrived at 2pm just as another misty shower started. We loaded our suitcases etc and headed back to Bundaberg.

Quiet afternoon chatting.

Video chat with Jon and Cooper as Beau was at daycare and Annalise was getting her hair done. Great to be able to show Terry (Great Grandad) the video chat. He has been doing well with his phone and can look up the photos now.

Rain started after dinner for a hour.

20-25 Feb, 2026 Geck Family beach house, Woodgate, Qld

Fri, 20^th

Lovely morning for our walk with a cool breeze off the water.

Quiet morning reading and doing some cross-stitch.

Phil called in for a chat while Brenda is a Bingo.

Donna rang from Woodford Historical Society to see if I had the original of the picture of William and Mary standing outside their home, Spring Grove, in Woodford. The Shire is putting up new signs and they wanted to use that one if we can provide one so they can photograph it to get a good quality photo. I said I would get Julie to check in the boxes and get back to her.

Julie rang back, unfortunately she couldn’t find the original and we couldn’t remember where Dad had gotten the photo from. Let Donna know.

I had sent an email to try and contact Ken Nesbit, McPherson historian that I had made contact with many years ago when I was researching that line of our family tree. He emailed back which was wonderful and will be in Edinburgh when we are there with the tour. Hopefully we can meet up somewhere.

Leanne rang to discuss seat allocation for the flight over - need to be comfortable so we don’t land in London worn out with squashed legs. Chose seats for 1^st section then we get a big plane for next section so we got a 2 seat section upstairs so hopefully we should be undisturbed and can get some sleep.

Video chat with Dan, Fran and Sophia - she is such a busy little girl. So wonderful that we can see her grow with the video calls. Sadly Fran’s mum, Val, hasn’t been doing too well with her cancer battle.

 

Sat, 21^st

Another lovely morning walk.

More reading and cross-stitching. Phil and Brenda called in for more chatting.

Jon rang to do a video chat so we said goodbye to them and then chatted with our darlings via video - I do love this modern technology to be able to watch them grow.

Supercars racing in Sydney so we settled in for the afternoon to watch the broadcast and the night race which was great. Toyotas have joined the Fords and Chevs so that mixed things up.

Libby and Chris put up a FB post - as well as the engagement they are expecting their baby in September. They had been waiting to pass the 13 week mark and all is good. They certainly did well not letting on when we visited. I sent a message to Grandma Suzanne - she is over the moon too.

 

Sun, 22^nd

Another lovely morning walk. The edge of the water has been brownish for a few days now so it hasn’t been too appealing for a swim. Not many people about either.

Quiet morning then settled in to watch the Supercars again.

 

Mon, 23^rd

Hot walk this morning though the return walk had a nice breeze blowing off the sea.

Forecast for rain from Tues - 0 to 1mm but then heavier by Friday when I was going to pack up the camper etc. We decided to pack up today and move to the bed under the house so we can lower the roof - didn’t want the vinyl getting wet then being closed up for 2 months.

I stripped the beds and put on the flanny sheets ready for our return in May - we are cold sooks. Set up the suitcases ready under the house so I can recheck what I have packed. Cleaned the camper then dropped the roof and locked it up.

Leanne rang with the seat allocation for the return flight from London so we decided to book those too so it is all sorted. Qatar Airways is affiliated with Virgin so we can add our Velocity Frequent Flyer cards to it but so far we can’t work out how. I rang Velocity but the chap said we have to do it through Qatar so I sent and email to HolidayMax in case they can do it as they booked the flights. All else fails we can just add it before we fly from Brisbane Airport. Saw on the news last night that we have to pay $30 and do our UK ETA form at least 3 days before so will note that on the calander.

Paul called in to say he was heading back to Brisbane and wished us a happy trip.

Steve mowed the lawn - it is nice a green at the moment from the recent rain.

I rang Kaylene to see how the packing up was going. All done, they have moved in with their friend and are just finishing the cleaning. Hand-over is on Friday.

About 8pm a quick shower of rain fell with strong wind. Glad we had closed up the camper.

 

Tues, 24^th

Nice walk along the beach pathway again.

Sent David a message for his birthday today.

Hair dressing day - I cut Steve’s hair and he coloured mine so we are all set to travel.

Loaded the camper onto the truck and left the legs down to support it off the truck tray while we are away.

Read our books for a while then Ann called in for a chat and to wish us a wonderful trip.

Another brief shower of rain at 8.30pm.

 

Wed, 25^th

Dark clouds out to sea and to the south-west but blue sky above us as we went for our morning walk.

Got an email from Star RV re checking in for our camper hire. Unfortunately it wouldn’t let me finish it so I contacted Star RV in Aust and then got a call from NZ office. They acknowledged they are having problems and that it will be ok to check-in when we pick up the camper!!

An email from Qantas, check-in for them is 24hr before and then there is the NZ entrance form which I had started which I will finish off before we fly out. There is a new scan thing for our passports with Border Force so watched a video about how to do that at the airport. Oh boy - it is much easier just driving around Australia in our camper than all these online things but we are looking forward to exploring New Zealand.

Jetstar are having a sale so I booked my Cairns to Brisbane flight for 4 Aug - one way, just the return one to do for Sept - sale finished on the day we return! Got an email back from HolidayMax and they were able to add our Velocity Frequent Flyer numbers to our flights - yeah, another thing ticked off.

Quiet afternoon reading and cross-stitching.

Rang Uncle John to wish him a happy birthday for 9 Mar, going to be 98 - wow. He is doing so well and still in his home. Rang Gracie too as her birthday coming up and she will be 88 on 6 Mar. Tried ringing Roald to wish him a happy 80th on the 13^th but he was out so left a message. A busy birthday month with our grandchildren Sophia on the 9^th and Beau on the 11^th. A few other friends in March too but I can send them messages on FB from NZ.

Last drinks by this beach for a couple of months. Lots of new beaches to explore in NZ.

My blog writing will probably be slow as we will be enjoying exploring and there will be lots of photos to sort but I will get them up eventually.

 

14-19 Feb, 2026 Geck Family beach house, Woodgate, Qld

Sat, 14^th

Still overcast and misty this morning. BOM app says we got 99mm. David arrived while we were having breakfast. At least it is nice and cool so they can get straight into work on the patio boards this morning.

Quizzed David on UK travelling - he and Amanda are going back over to see Ella in May and will go to Germany to find where Lorenz Geck lived etc.

Steve called out - ‘did I take a photo of the patio’, no, so I went up and took some to post on our family page too. The timber is pre-oiled so no need to paint it - just a coat of oil occasionally.

They realised they need a wider board to finish off where the posts are and they have run out of nails so they went for a drive back to Bundy so they can finish it off tomorrow.

I caught up on my blog - yeah.

More rain at 5pm as Terry and I settled in for drinks. The boys got back at 5.30 with the board and nails.

Terry rang Stephanie to say thanks for his gift - a walking stick thing so he can lean it again a wall etc and it doesn’t fall over. She had been on a energetic hike with her man, Zac, to Cowley Falls in the Wooroonooran NP off the Palmerston Highway up from Innisfail. The 50m falls were well worth the trek and we are happy to look at her photos as even she said it was a tough trek so I don't think we will be doing it.

Another shower of rain in the evening - much cooler too.

Silverside and roast vegies for dinner. Finished off the banana cake and custard for dessert.

 

Sun, 15^th

Another cool morning, 19 degrees and still overcast.

The boys continued with the patio till morning tea when heavy rain with wind started. Paul came over so we chatted for an hour till the rain eased. The boys put in the last nails as more rain started just before lunch.

I caught up on my blog. Joan sent me and email about the Mumma Mia theatre restaurant in London. Sounds wonderful but once I worked out the prices and of course the pound is double our dollar it worked out very expensive - $440 for the show and dinner and then we would have had to stay at a hotel nearby which was $500 for the night. Just a bit too extravagant for us.

David left at lunch time as he had to see Amanda’s parents in Bundy before heading home. More rain started. Steve will finish the trim around the edge when the rain stops.

Terry left at 2 as the rain hadn’t let up. Will see him next week when the battery charger arrives.

You can see the green grass shoots growing before our eyes after the rain. Steve will have to mow before we leave! It was so brown and dry when we arrived.

Malcolm rang for a chat. Looking forward to their trip to NZ. Will catch up with them in Auckland on the 29^th April before we both fly home on the 30^th.

More rain through the night.

Mon, 16^th

23 degree min, overcast but patches of blue sky showing as the clouds move across the sky. Very windy too as we went for our morning walk.

Steve continued with the edging on the patio and I started sorting out what needs to go in the suitcases!

Annalise did video call but we couldn’t hear her so we looked at bonny Cooper - he has grown so much. Beau was at day care. I rang her back so we could chat properly. Must be my older phone. It is fine on What’s App which Jon uses. Jon should be home next Friday so will chat again then.

Misty showers on and off all day.

 

Tues, 17^th

22 degree min, another shower in the early hours. The sun came out so I put the washing on.

Steve finished the deck - great job.

I had messaged Sarah so she rang me back and we chatted about my UK/Europe trip - she has done a lot of travelling so I wanted to get her advice on getting about, accommodation etc for our extra 10 days. She and Ben have settled into their home.

Leanne rang - we have the flight allocation email, we are flying with Qatar out of Brisbane. Now to change it to the later departure date and ask a few questions. I will ring HolidayMax tomorrow as we have 24 hours to confirm which flight we want. There are so many to choose from. So glad this has come while I am still in Aust. Now I can got to NZ and just enjoy it without having to worry about flight choices etc.

 

Wed, 18^th

Julie’s birthday - sent her a FB message for a lovely day.

Nice blue sky and cool this morning as we head to Bundy. The battery charger has arrived at Terry’s. Joined him for a cuppa and Phil called in too. Lots of dark clouds here.

I rang HolidayMax and the chap explained what to do. I did it but it put in another flight but the right date, 15^th Sept. I rang them back (long wait time to get answered) and the lady said to put it in an email which one we wanted and they will sort it. They did which was wonderful. Messaged Leanne that it was all sorted. She will look at the seat allocation cost once we can go onto the Qatar Airways booking site - it is free if you wait till 48hr before the flight. Then I looked up where Qatar is!! Will ring Qantas Travel Insurance tomorrow and add the stop over at Doha Airport to the countries we are visiting, just in case.

I printed out our NZ itinerary - all ready to go now.

Got some groceries to get us through to the 27^th then back to Woodgate. Very windy here.

Took our drinks down to the beach and sat on Granma’s chair and enjoyed the view.

 

Thurs, 19^th

Hot and humid for our walk this morning with no breeze blowing.

Brad’s birthday so sent a message for him to enjoy his day.

Steve put the battery charger in - all good. He then raised the camper and pop-rivetted the teflon skids under the camper to raise it up a bit on the back of the truck to take pressure off the headframe.

I have everything up-to-date for a change so got out my cross-stitch and started on our nephew Tim and Taryn’s wedding cross-stitch.

Nice afternoon drinks at the beach on Granma’s chair again.