tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post7277213993807036830..comments2024-03-28T20:30:35.448+13:00Comments on Confessions of an Ageing Motorcyclist: Bay of Islands, New Zealand - for BobskootGeoff Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-84017524229579526962013-03-11T15:27:13.656+13:002013-03-11T15:27:13.656+13:00Mark,
Thanks for the heads-up. We do indeed owe ...Mark,<br /><br />Thanks for the heads-up. We do indeed owe them a considerable debt.<br /><br />Oh haha - so you want to see me emasculated, do you? (Well, more than I am already). The helmet usually hides the thumb print on my head :-)Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-54176406859195399862013-03-09T21:43:54.290+13:002013-03-09T21:43:54.290+13:00Evening Geoff,
Just a little background info: Mata...Evening Geoff,<br />Just a little background info: Matakohe Kauri Museum was started by Merv and Richard Sterling who were also very heavily involved with the beginnings of MoTaT, though first called the Old Time Transport Preservation League [think MoTaT is easier on the tongue!]. They, along with the Stewart brothers and several others were deeply concerned that our logging and kauri gum history and that of our early transport and technology would disappear. Many considered them all 'nutters'! We owe them a deep vote of thanks for what they did - most of paid for out of their own pockets.<br /><br />BTW - when are you implementing those Rules for Female Teachers at Chez James?? Lust curious...<br />Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-64955975781145596032013-03-05T17:51:46.320+13:002013-03-05T17:51:46.320+13:00Thanks for the very kind words Brenda. I love it, ...Thanks for the very kind words Brenda. I love it, but there again, I love Australia too, as well as other countries!<br /><br />Yep, that block of apartments features in all sorts of travel books.<br /><br />Hehe - well, in mitigation, at least I didn't photograph the "inner sanctum" but you're right, it's much-photographed!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-40098601420470630692013-03-05T12:46:39.166+13:002013-03-05T12:46:39.166+13:00Bob:
Small world!! As well as travelling up north...Bob:<br />Small world!! As well as travelling up north, he rode the Forgotten Highway which both Sonja and I have done (Sonja on 4 wheels.<br /><br />NZ is the size of Britain but with only 4 million people, you do get lots of empty spaces!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-23170523158216041522013-03-05T12:00:22.964+13:002013-03-05T12:00:22.964+13:00Hi Geoff,
I will always be amazed and in awe of t...Hi Geoff,<br /><br />I will always be amazed and in awe of the beautiful island you call home Geoff. Thanks for sharing a bit of it, please keep it coming I cant get enough :)<br /><br />Absolutely love the fancy loo, when you mentioned the famous block of apartments I suddenly knew that I knew who that guy is .. I'm not good with names ;-D<br /><br />I reckon it would have been interesting trying to get pics in a men's without looking a bit .. weird maybe .. but really dont tourists take pics of it all the time?Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06395364582355269753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-9781849114361398182013-03-05T10:06:46.549+13:002013-03-05T10:06:46.549+13:00Geoff:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread....<b>Geoff:</b><br /><br />http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=689134&page=315<br /><br />go to post 4721. You just missed Radioman. He was also just in Russell<br /><br />Look at all those beaches he went too. So deserted, no one on them. Just looking at them makes us want to come over.<br /><br />bob<br /><a href="http://www.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Riding the Wet Coast</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05258612401956399482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-54889013274917273382013-03-05T09:39:00.559+13:002013-03-05T09:39:00.559+13:00Bob,
Delighted that your flabber has been gasted! ...Bob,<br />Delighted that your flabber has been gasted! Don't expect treats like this all the time, buying a new memory card to hold additional photos and a new computer to handle them all got me into serious trouble :-).<br /><br />Northland is a gorgeous place but as there are not many major industries up that way, unemployment is higher than a lot of other areas. However, I guess a relative lack of major industry is why the place is so pristine.<br /><br />Hahaha - those school nibs were terrible things - used to blob ink all over the place. For the life of me, I don't know why they didn't allow fountain pens straight away. It was at some stage in junior school when we got the nod.<br />Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-4357778400519698172013-03-05T06:08:52.489+13:002013-03-05T06:08:52.489+13:00Geoff:
So much to say. I'm flabbergasted. Y...<b>Geoff:</b><br /><br />So much to say. I'm flabbergasted. You actually have a memory card capable of snapping more than 3 photos. Your computer must have been working overtime with lots of buffer overflows. <br /><br />I liked the Bay of Island, The Kauri Museum/Wood, Haruru Falls, the Hole in the Wall . . . I'm running out of breath.<br /><br />I also remember being in school with inkwells and we were issued a new pen with a new nib every month. To write we had to dip the nib in the well constantly to keep writing. We had to take turns shoveling coal into the pot belly stove to keep warm, and we had to walk uphill both ways to school. Ah, those were the days<br /><br />That is a neat washroom. I could see myself using those facilities<br /><br />bob<br /><a href="http://www.wetcoastscootin.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Riding the Wet Coast</a><br /><br />ps: and thank you again for snapping more photos than usualAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05258612401956399482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-56191576955039618492013-03-04T19:33:15.597+13:002013-03-04T19:33:15.597+13:00Hi Andrew,
Have taken the Opua to Russell ferry in...Hi Andrew,<br />Have taken the Opua to Russell ferry in the car but I must take the bike now that Rog has opened my eyes to staying there.<br /><br />Hahaha - yeah, I pocketed the camera before entering the "inner sanctum", although it was early and there weren't too many people around! The steam train which runs down the street is still operational too - thought that had closed years ago. They were still building up steam when we left unfortunately.Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-90398006298821414302013-03-04T18:58:50.143+13:002013-03-04T18:58:50.143+13:00Like Rog, I love the Kauri museum - been there a c...Like Rog, I love the Kauri museum - been there a couple of times. Have done the Bay of Islands a few times but want to ride to Russell one day - rather than take the ferry.<br /><br />Also, want to check out the art-farty loo one day but need an excuse to stop eh - it seems it bit dodgy to be heading into the toilet with a camera...Andrew Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00716829007873864871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-82905751206245252372013-03-04T18:46:40.267+13:002013-03-04T18:46:40.267+13:00Thanks Dar!
It is nice, but as I said to someone e...Thanks Dar!<br />It is nice, but as I said to someone else, most places you're not familiar with seem awfully exotic!<br /><br />I'd have a loo in the garden if it looked like that one!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-36458996163417591042013-03-04T17:18:28.600+13:002013-03-04T17:18:28.600+13:00Beautiful pictures!!!! What a lovely place to liv...Beautiful pictures!!!! What a lovely place to live and visit! Those are the poshest loo's I have ever seen, pretty spiffy. Those trees are amazing. Dar https://www.blogger.com/profile/14690180541358767168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-18523634742444860832013-03-04T10:57:18.689+13:002013-03-04T10:57:18.689+13:00Thank you Karen! Next weekend, weather permitting...Thank you Karen! Next weekend, weather permitting, I'm off for an annual 3 day riding weekend with the lads in the central north island. If it all works out, you might actually get to see photos taken from the side of an active volcano!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-84775177231017734462013-03-04T10:49:05.278+13:002013-03-04T10:49:05.278+13:00Geoff you do have a lot of beautiful country to sh...Geoff you do have a lot of beautiful country to share. Looking forward to more.VStar Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634216576989421497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-55337477763934964592013-03-04T09:40:22.576+13:002013-03-04T09:40:22.576+13:00Hey Rog,
Never thought about Russell as a place to...Hey Rog,<br />Never thought about Russell as a place to stay but you're absolutely right as the ferries to and from Paihia run until 10 pm in the summer so it's no hassle to nip over to Paihia for a meal if you can't find what you want. Mind you, the eating is pretty fine in Russell!<br /><br />Yep, always something new at the museum which has been missed on previous occasions.<br /><br />Cheers :-)Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-29796333083122731592013-03-04T09:36:34.467+13:002013-03-04T09:36:34.467+13:00Thanks Brandy,
It is nice round our way but you...Thanks Brandy,<br />It is nice round our way but you're pretty spoiled in Oregon too! Have to agree about Kauri - we have a bowl on our coffee table too. Not as ornate as the one in the photo though!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-65281337242004861042013-03-04T09:34:18.318+13:002013-03-04T09:34:18.318+13:00I apologise for the stress Martha! I think that b...I apologise for the stress Martha! I think that beauty exists everywhere on the planet but it is nice to have a slice of it on our doorstep.Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-73432807303676318742013-03-04T09:32:58.025+13:002013-03-04T09:32:58.025+13:00Thanks Sonja!
On your next company trip to NZ, you...Thanks Sonja!<br />On your next company trip to NZ, you'll have to make time to travel to the Far North. I'm sure you'll have willing tour guides :-).<br /><br />Pleased you like Hundertwasser - the friends we went north with went to Europe last year and saw his famous block of apartments.Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-79730526241333422532013-03-04T09:30:06.773+13:002013-03-04T09:30:06.773+13:00Steve,
Yep, have never seen the falls so low. Most...Steve,<br />Yep, have never seen the falls so low. Most of NZ hasn't had any real rain since Christmas. Our previous attempt to get through the hole failed too. We were in a keelboat and were worried about the mast hitting the sides of the cave if it rolled a bit whilst motoring through. Nice to have knocked off at last!Geoff Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05041523109817248619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-66891085290008281092013-03-04T07:35:52.892+13:002013-03-04T07:35:52.892+13:00I love the far north Geoff, all places I have visi...I love the far north Geoff, all places I have visited often. Although I prefer to stay in Russel rather than Paihia. I just find it very peaceful and quaint. <br /><br />I still find it amazing that more people dont visit the north more often , wonderful place.<br /><br />The Kauri Museum is and always will be a favorite, I love visiting the place.<br /><br />Consider NZ/Canadian relations restored...Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12048736059922578612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-50866929242218839532013-03-04T07:34:54.233+13:002013-03-04T07:34:54.233+13:00Such pretty photos Geoff - you really are spoiled ...Such pretty photos Geoff - you really are spoiled living in New Zealand.<br /><br />The Kauri wood is so beautiful. I am lucky that I have a piece gracing my coffee table right now care of Rogey.Trobairitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03453398807198746434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-88824072074333614272013-03-04T03:41:09.772+13:002013-03-04T03:41:09.772+13:00Beautiful photos, spectacular subjects. As I sit h...Beautiful photos, spectacular subjects. As I sit here at 6 degrees and surrounded by snow, it's all I can do not to weep! But I'm happy that such beauty still exists on this planet- and it's all yours! Imagine!Martha https://www.blogger.com/profile/02785787084073523841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-69018578977812837012013-03-04T03:27:54.053+13:002013-03-04T03:27:54.053+13:00Geoff, not only Bob has some interest in what your...Geoff, not only Bob has some interest in what your country has to offer. Thanks for the tour, I would hope to see more if these installments. <br /><br />I wish I had had more time but I never got this far North. I should have though, because I am a Hundertwasser admirer, and I like that he put his art to use, be it in a house or why not a public washroom. It fits his character. SonjaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12389245948579828531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4341114511830074977.post-61885146301903652112013-03-03T22:08:10.805+13:002013-03-03T22:08:10.805+13:00Wow Geoff Haruru falls is very low. When we were t...Wow Geoff Haruru falls is very low. When we were there on 2007 on our honeymoon there was 3-4 times the amount of water running over the falls. Sadly we didn't get to go through the hole in the rock as it was like a washing machine in there the day we went out.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.com