Taupo and Hobbiton outing 23rd & 24th June 2012
It was cool and really too early to be out of bed however the prospect of a long leisurely soak in a thermal hot pool got me going.
We met at the usual spot at the BP Service Center Southern Motorway at around 9am. A few people had cancelled this week with pat & Cam unable to attend due to a family illness, Mark not coming as Susanne sick and Veena because someone rear ended her car and it was being repaired.
Couldnt find our newest member by the time we had to leave so left John a voice message saying where we would be and we hit the road.
Mike & Greta, Christine & Keith, Carol & Andrew, Robyn & Ken, Jim & Yvonne, Chris & Janet and myself cruised out onto the motorway. We managed to stay together most of the time which looked great from my position at the back. Felt like the mother hen guiding all her chickens along the pathway.
We got successfully down to Matamata when it was necessary for my GPS to do some work to find Hobbiton. On arrival in the car park we joined Gilli and Judi who had driven up from Taupo for the Hobbiton tour.
The tour was excellent and while most were away wandering the Hobbiton hills the rest of us sampled the food and drink of the Shires Rest cafe. Meanwhile John caught up with us from Auckland. Chris & Janet had to head back to Auckland from here.
After a light lunch we again took to the roads to Taupo. I must say the roads have improved greatly down there now as most of the roads from Tirau to Taupo is either double lanes or has many passing lanes (which I needed as I had to turn back to Tirau for fuel and then catch the rest up)
Our motel had our keys all ready for us so we headed to our units with a meet time of 5.30pm at my unit for drinks and nibbles before 6.30pm dinner at the Hilton.
The hot thermal pools called Christine, Keith and me so off we went for a wonderful soak and thaw.
Our meal was beautiful. Delicious food, a drink or two and great company.
The rugby was on so we managed to keep track of the whipping the Allblacks gave Ireland that night of 60 - 0.
Next morning around 9.15 most of us headed out on the new bypass to Lava glass blowing studio where we had a very informative demonstration and a very tasty breakfast. After that we set our sights on the Kaimai Cheese Factory up by Matamata. Yummy cheeses, hot drinks and a snack so we could thaw out after someone insisted on us all being TOPLESS.
Had a good run home from there and felt it had been an enjoyable weekend as usual. :)
Pauline.
Note: Judi who attended with Gilli (Taupo member) sent us this interesting info. " ...the photo of the Hobbit entrance with the large “OAK” tree above is made for film. It is a dead pine tree that has had it’s branches reinforced with steel rods. 250,000 artificial oak leaves were made in Taiwan and individually tied with wire onto the branches. Interestingly, some leaves had fallen and we could examine them.... but then, it was autumn...."
We met at the usual spot at the BP Service Center Southern Motorway at around 9am. A few people had cancelled this week with pat & Cam unable to attend due to a family illness, Mark not coming as Susanne sick and Veena because someone rear ended her car and it was being repaired.
Couldnt find our newest member by the time we had to leave so left John a voice message saying where we would be and we hit the road.
Mike & Greta, Christine & Keith, Carol & Andrew, Robyn & Ken, Jim & Yvonne, Chris & Janet and myself cruised out onto the motorway. We managed to stay together most of the time which looked great from my position at the back. Felt like the mother hen guiding all her chickens along the pathway.
We got successfully down to Matamata when it was necessary for my GPS to do some work to find Hobbiton. On arrival in the car park we joined Gilli and Judi who had driven up from Taupo for the Hobbiton tour.
The tour was excellent and while most were away wandering the Hobbiton hills the rest of us sampled the food and drink of the Shires Rest cafe. Meanwhile John caught up with us from Auckland. Chris & Janet had to head back to Auckland from here.
After a light lunch we again took to the roads to Taupo. I must say the roads have improved greatly down there now as most of the roads from Tirau to Taupo is either double lanes or has many passing lanes (which I needed as I had to turn back to Tirau for fuel and then catch the rest up)
Our motel had our keys all ready for us so we headed to our units with a meet time of 5.30pm at my unit for drinks and nibbles before 6.30pm dinner at the Hilton.
The hot thermal pools called Christine, Keith and me so off we went for a wonderful soak and thaw.
Our meal was beautiful. Delicious food, a drink or two and great company.
The rugby was on so we managed to keep track of the whipping the Allblacks gave Ireland that night of 60 - 0.
Next morning around 9.15 most of us headed out on the new bypass to Lava glass blowing studio where we had a very informative demonstration and a very tasty breakfast. After that we set our sights on the Kaimai Cheese Factory up by Matamata. Yummy cheeses, hot drinks and a snack so we could thaw out after someone insisted on us all being TOPLESS.
Had a good run home from there and felt it had been an enjoyable weekend as usual. :)
Pauline.
Note: Judi who attended with Gilli (Taupo member) sent us this interesting info. " ...the photo of the Hobbit entrance with the large “OAK” tree above is made for film. It is a dead pine tree that has had it’s branches reinforced with steel rods. 250,000 artificial oak leaves were made in Taiwan and individually tied with wire onto the branches. Interestingly, some leaves had fallen and we could examine them.... but then, it was autumn...."