We actually woke up at a respectable time today, although somehow we were still the last to leave. The goal today was to arrive at our destination for the night in Te Araroa by 12.30pm, and there was a bit to see on the way, so off we went!
Our first stop was at the picturesque Raukokore Church. Today is Sunday so they were actually preparing to have a church service here. The church is beautiful but sadly in need of some love (and therefore probably funds). We did not stay long as we did not want to get in their way.
We carried on and stopped next at Waihau Bay. We had overnighted here on New Years Eve 3 years ago and I would have to say it hasn’t changed much except that there was hardly anyone around. Tour leader told us there was a fishing tournament on but I suspect it had been cancelled due to the weather as there was only one boat trailer in the park.
We passed the others on the road as they were stopped for coffee, and we carried on to Hicks Bay. It was a thriving farming area at one time with its own freezing works and port – with wharf. Now all this lies in ruins.
The wharf is clearly dangerous and all barricaded off, and the boat ramp has seen better days.
The bay itself is fairly sandy and pleasant, and there are cattle roaming freely. The dogs thought they had won first prize when they came across a bone lying on the road edge but they completely missed the skeleton I saw embedded into the dirt wall near the wharf.
From there it was on to our destination at the haunted house (otherwise known as the Morepork’s nest) in Te Araroa. Again we were the last to arrive, so we quickly set ourselves up and had a bit of lunch, before piling into one of the cars for the drive out to the East Cape Light house.
I would have to say that the road out there has not improved at all except that the old Bailey bridge that claimed our bumper on the last trip was not there now. We duly arrived and set off on the track up to the light house – a bit of a climb (800 steps). After much huffing and puffing we arrived at the top and wandered around until we were all there for the obligatory group photo.
We did not seem to hang around long after that but I could not help but admire the scenery again – so beautiful. Coming down the 800 steps was a lot easier on the lungs but harder on the knees, as Bruce can attest to, but I was just grateful for my two new knees which meant I managed it with relative ease.
Once back at camp we had a chance to explore the “Morepork’s nest”. The grounds were beautiful and everythings was laid on for us including access to clear spring water to fill up our tanks, hot showers, and somewhere for our rubbish.
The story goes that the place is haunted. It was once a convent (or as Bruce would call it – a Nunnery. It was built in the late 1800’s and moved onto this site (minus one wing of the building) in the 1920’s. They say the ghost is a nun who could not bear to leave the place and she shows herself to people who are sensisitve to the spirit world. Apparently she always appears on the upstairs landing. We can’t be sensitive enough because we did not see her. Besides which, we were tucked up in our vans listening to the good amount of rain falling on our rooves during the night, and hoping we would be able to drive out of there come morning.
Away From Home NZ 