{"id":5998,"date":"2021-04-05T22:54:06","date_gmt":"2021-04-06T05:54:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/?p=5998"},"modified":"2022-01-16T09:13:44","modified_gmt":"2022-01-16T16:13:44","slug":"where-have-we-been","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/?p=5998","title":{"rendered":"Where have we been???"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In March 2020 we set off to see family in New Zealand with a plan to also go to Canada later in the year \u2026..BUT ….. Covid struck. We were in NZ half way through our month holiday and our airline tickets were cancelled and borders closed. Where better to head to in NZ but back to the Bay of Islands to wait out this pandemic. At least we could watch the boats bobbing around in the bays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Opua, BOI view from our Airbnb<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Like everyone around the world during Covid we were locked down with restrictions. Felt like jail for a while….<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The NZ winter was slow to arrive; lucky for everyone we had beautiful weather into May. Winter did arrive, our first in 7 years. Ok … so we didn’t have snow but for us it was cold as our blood had thinned from living in the tropics. Beaches were empty, paths full with people exercising but many a beautiful sight to be seen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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walking the docks for our lockdown exercise <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Haruru Falls, BOI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lots and lots of walking<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Taipa Beach, BOI no one around<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Yes we are going crazy!!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lucky for us New Zealand seemed to get things under control quickly so we were able to move about the country and see family and friends again. Alas I wasn’t too good at taking photos but did get a few with friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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one of the many catch ups with my parents<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Catching up with sailing friends in Auckland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Aussie friends in NZ …only at the Auckland zoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By July we realized we were staying in NZ indefinitely, as borders were not opening, so decided to make the most of things what with summer fast approaching. We decided we needed a project to keep us occupied and bought a cargo van with the aim of\u00a0 building a camper van to travel the countryside.\u00a0 I have one handy husband who along with my Dad, John, did all of the work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so the build begins….<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. CAD design (cardboard assisted design) for planning the build<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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2. Electrical wiring and cutting the roof for a skylight and fan <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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3. Insulation, shower, fan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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4. Support walls, framing, vents in roof<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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5. Painting lots of pine boards at our Airbnb. Thanks Cam!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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6. Roof and walls thanks to the help of Ts father John<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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7. Building begins on cabinets \/ chairs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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8. shower and kitchen going in<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our Final design complete and ready to roll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2 months after starting the build we hit the road heading to the tip of NZ; Cape Reinga to start our NZ road trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Now this is the life…..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cape Reinga, top of NZ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea currents meeting – we went through this in Seismic Wave in 2017 & 2018<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Admiring the boarders on the giant sand dunes at Cape Reinga<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Pre Xmas enjoying the beautiful weather NZ has to offer at Shakespear Regional Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After spending Xmas with my family we bee-lined through the centre of NZ down to Wellington, the Capital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Taupo above the Waikato River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Wellington Cable Car and views over city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Wellington beehive (NZ Govt resides) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We had a fabulous day crossing the Cook Strait on the Ferry from Wellington to Picton ready for New Years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arriving into Picton, top of the South Island on the ferry for New Years <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Picton – people arriving to hear the music on the waterfront for New Years. Great Location for it.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile we got news of flooding in Queensland from friends looking after Seismic Wave. Glad we had someone watching over her. No major leaks aboard so a bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the deck in front of the dock is flooded where Seismic Wave is….<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Buying mountain bikes was a bonus as we could head out and do some of the many trails along the way and get some exercise. Our drive through the South Island went from Picton through to Nelson, over to Hanmer and down to Christchurch. We then travelled to Lake Tekapo, Queenstown back to Wanaka and through the Haast pass to the West Coast and through to the Abel Tasman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On a bike ride in the Marlborough Sounds with the Cook Strait Ferry passing behind<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Boat ride up the Kenepuru Sound to The Portage for lunch <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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With our friend Glen, at a rest stop, on one of the many Nelson mountain Bike parks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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On the St James Cycle Trail in Arthurs Pass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Three Creeks Vintage Garage in Burkes Pass <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lake Tekapo church with incredible views<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lake Tekapo sheepdog memorial to honor all those canines that farmed in the high country<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Lake Pukaki looking over to Mt Cook in the distance <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Queenstown jet boating with Skippers Canyon Jet – awesome!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Willow at Lake Wanaka<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of the many stunning waterfalls on the Haast Pass to the West Coast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Views to the glacier at Franz Joseph<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hokitika Beach driftwood Art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cycling at Lake Hayes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Stunning camp grounds on the West Coast <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Punakaiki pancake rocks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kaiteriteri cycling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Great trip and still lots to see… In February 2021 Brisbane borders reopened to NZ so we decided to take the chance and see if we could return to the Gold Coast. We really need to get back to return to the boat and our things. We stored the van with friends and headed to the airport never sure if we would make it onto a supposedly booked quarantine free flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heading to Auss<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11 months later it was touchdown in Queensland with line ups at the airport to check our temperature and travel declarations.\u00a0We made it back with no quarantine requirements just a Covid test on arrival and negative results back the next day. Perfect!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First job was to thank friends at our marina who had watched over, cleaned and started Seismic Wave for us while we were gone. We were surprised how well she looked inside after not being used for nearly a year! Joey and Gary were awesome!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly a haul at The Boatworks for a hull clean and general maintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Boatworks – very professional outfit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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out on anchor in the Broadwater relaxing after the work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Thirdly; celebrations…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Out celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary, in Australia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What’s next …. a few jobs and then who knows \u2026. Covid is still here and travel internationally is somewhat limited. The NZ \/Auss travel bubble has just opened so that’s great news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cheers from the Goldie!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In March 2020 we set off to see family in New Zealand with a plan to also go to Canada later in the year \u2026..BUT ….. Covid struck. We were in NZ half way through our month holiday and our … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[189,305],"tags":[351,350,307],"class_list":["post-5998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-australia","category-new-zealand","tag-australia","tag-covid","tag-new-zealand"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5998"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6081,"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5998\/revisions\/6081"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.seismicwave.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}