Kawhia bike ride and Te Kauri Lodge Four String Festival

  The main reason for this trip was to once again attend the Four String Festival at Te Kauri Lodge about 20kms east of Kawhia. I got there too early, so I continued onto Kawhia itself and even their was still too early as there was nothing open. So I got my bike off and cruised around taking photos and talking to locals as I went. 

This has to be the best way to scope out a town, here is some of the beauty that is Kawhia

These marker posts are pretty authentic and carved by hand

I visited the little Art Gallery/Shop and spotted this nice sign outside.

I say that Jam is...Happiness!

And also purchased this simple but essential message to wear on my Jacket.

 

Back onto the bike...

And around the back streets

 where I can stop and take photos

Never thought I’d be taking photos of giant Cactus in Kawhia!

A lot of character in this little town

This is a Kingfisher, the Maori name is Kotare, 

We don’t have these down in the Nelson area!

This is along way from the Maketu I was at a few days ago

 near Papamoa on the east coast in the Tauranga area.

I spotted an open gate into this forestry block and rode my bike down to explore

I biked onwards to the Hot Water Beach, but it’s only accessible for hot bathing at low tide

This is another plant we don’t have in the South Island.

Not sure of it’s name but it’s pretty invasive!

This is Rosamond House a grade 2 listed house built in 1901.

I spotted this decorated tree stump on the road in and biked out to take a photo or two!

One clown watching another clown...being a clown

Now back at the Four String Festival, the parking space was at a premium. 

Luckily I got special treatment as I parked in the neighbours driveway

 across the road which was nice and peaceful.

This is Terry’s koa wood pineapple shaped ukulele.

He does a fine job of making them,

 apparently he has lots more koa wood too!

Another unusual instrument at a four stinging festival,

From the Cook Islands a twin necks option strung with fishing nylon

8 strings on each neck, which makes 16 in total.

 We lived, played, breathed and talked music non stop for two days

Marion and Janet working out an Irish tune to perform at the Bunker at Aucklands Devonport. 

Marion Burns, a sublime performer in all regards.

Dom holds an impromptu session outside

These couches were very well sat in!

Less than 5 minutes walk was this wonderfull bush

 

That’s enough photos from me!

 Next we head for the big smoke and very specific, terrific traffic.

Till the next Blog 

Stay safe, have fun and be creative.

Ka kite Ano

Kia kaha.

Jimu

Maketu, Papamoa, and on to Kawhia.

 Hi there folks,

Leaving Rotorua with my tail between my legs (Parking ticket) and I high tailed it up the east side of the lake through more wild windy rainey weather ending parked up in little seaside settlement called Maketu famous for its pies.

I parked up between the surf club and the Campground/Cafe which had for sale signs up, figuring correctly that I wouldn’t be disturbed for the night!

In Papamoa are some very old friends John & Rosemary, who came out (emigrated) at the same time way back in 1966.

I last visited a few years ago and regretted taking some photos in John’s little workshop, as I thought at that time what great blog material this would be. So this is how, now I corrected that.

John and my father were both fitter/turners from UK and simply where great foils for each other.

In his home workshop a little shed maybe 14ft square (approx) he is building a 40th scale rotary areo engine totally from scratch.

Very fine intricate and accurate work, this is the main crankshaft cut out of solid, he had the weight before and after machining!!!!

It’s 9 cylinder rotary engine and has made a few spares as well.

amazing to realise this level of craftsmanship is coming from a little home workshop shed

Not being metalworker I think this is a drill mill all his workshop is only on single phase power. 

He has also made several machines himself for sharpening cutters.

And this is (I believe) an indexing head.....wow

He was surprised at my astonishment..

Below is some taps, Acme taps he had also made, in their set of three..

Tapered, less taper and bottom cutter versions.

I hesitate to say, but there are not too many people around who could,

or would be able to make these, or make that 40th scale working Rotary engine!

John your a very humble master craftsman ... hats off to you Mate!

Off I charge again this time to the supermarket and the super shopping complex called Bayfair and on the way in I spot an interesting shop stocking only soccer kit and memorabilia...

Crickey...these days the modern boots have no laces...

No wonder they can do such amazing things with the ball these days!

although over $400 a pair!

Well there you go ... below ... a perfect message for me, 

a reminder that being a dreamer is all I ever was...and will be!

This Bayfair shopping experience caters for every one...

Even Farmers...must be for those well healed kiwifruit farmers in Te Puke

Kmart has also improved the shopping experience 

by increasing the length of the ques to Pay....

But they didn’t alter the standing distance (2M) stickers on the que’s floor

Nice murals outside.

I headed over the Kaimai Ranges in very foul weather...it was bucketting!

I parked up in one of the many free Lake Karapiro park ups .....

this one was a very sweet spot.

But had zero cell phone signal...perfect for playing my whistle!

Next I headed for Cambridge....what a well laid out prosperous looking town.

I managed to find a lovely park right in town and gave my new little camera a proper testing.

We don’t have (or I haven’t noticed this bird in the South Island)

And am noticing quite a few other variety’s of birds.

I biked up to the National Velodrome 3.5k out along the river on an off road walking cycle track and up a hill.

A most impressive building and complex, complete with cafe and cycling shop

Yeah its steep

I was told by the guy below repairing the track, who had a hand in building this track the timber used is Siberian Pine, was put down 7years ago and has life of 12years. The angle of the track is severely banked at 42.5 degrees (I think he said) and in a spill around the corners its not possible to stand up

Here he is plugging up a loose knot with glue and a round toit plug, made of the same track timber.

There was to be a track and NZ record attempt as some of NZ Olympians were riding that afternoon.

After some busking in Main Street Cambridge I head out to Park up in Pirongia, within easy striking distance to get to the 4 string festival easily the next morning.

Quite a bit of history in this area around the Maori wars and its happenings

This (I believe) was built to protect the pakeha from the.....ahem...locals, but was never actually used in battle tho it was manned. Better yet here is a link to the proper information on this redought, so there will be no doubt about it!  https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/alexandra-redoubt-0

That’s all for this blog, next we head around Kawhia by bike, on a lovely day was a super experience.

Till then, take care, be safe and be creative.

Cheers Jimu.