After yesterday’s long ride, I took the day off and went back up to Botany Downs to search for bits that came up as I traveled. I also wanted to return or exchange the inexpensive bike rack I’d gotten earlier, since it didn’t fit the van very well. More importantly, I wanted to upload and download mail

 

The folks at Hedgehog Bikes didn’t know how to do it so I have to go back on Friday. I did my mail exchange and some tech news reading, then went off to get bits and food.

 

As it was getting late, I cast around for a nearby site to overnight and noticed there was an NZMCA Park-Over Property (POP) in Maraetai. I gave them a call to see a spot was available and headed over.

 

Turns out the POP is the driveway of an elderly couple at Omana Beach, but it does have a great view of Waiheke as the drive is just opposite the beachfront domain. They also have  power and an ablutions shed (no shower).

 

The couple, Bob and Pat, seem quite old; I’d guess in their 80’s. He’s an ex-builder, she’s an ex-nurse. It seemed like they were “partners”. They have an elderly purpose-built campervan, which haven’t used in in a couple of years since Pat can’t drive it and Bob gets occasionally cramps in his hands and legs when driving.

 

I chatted with them for quite a while when I arrived, much longer than I expected. They wanted to talk computers, tenants, family trusts and medicine. They were interested in how NZ differed from the US.

 

This evening is about the muggiest and airless I think I’ve spent in New Zealand. There was not a breath of wind. No duvet tonight.

 

So this is an example of the POP experience....