Touring Kroehn style

Today we went on a bit of a drive around for fun because we thought we should see some of NZ before Lee started work.... SO, we took off about 9.30am, which is pretty early for us to be organised at the moment, and went to Ashurst to have a look at the Wind Farms from a 'look out' - Peachy - be impressed. We even read the signage! The wind farm started being built about 10 years ago, and now powers 15,000 NZ homes. Pretty cool.

And we went to the playground at Ashurst Domain, which also have camping grounds (would be a good Pietsch/Kroehn holiday location) with toilets and really good BBQ's. The BBQ's are even push button FOR FREE - you don't get much for FREE these days anymore - even in NZ!

Then we went to Woodville, home of the Wind farms, but Lee drove past the turn offs (maybe on accident, maybe not) so we didn't go up close and real personal, but we did take a stroll around the town.

Then down south we went (Owen had a little hour nap while we drove), to Masterton and Carterton. Carterton had a lovely cafe for lunch with really good value BOWLS of coffee - much better value than Blonde, Rita, and Lee says tasted good too -and we looked in some shops - baby clothes, pet store for Owen to look at puppies and fish and birds.

We took in the shell business at Paua World - the special greeny blue NZ shell - but unfortunately the men were just cleaning their work stations while we were there so we didn't get to see them cleaning the shells or polishing or anything exciting. Just scrubbing.

We stopped at Masterton on the way home at the Queen Eliz park and passed on the putt putt - great value though - because it was a bit warm - actually 29 degrees - and I think Owen would have just wanted to chase and collect the balls, not let us hit them so much. He played on the playground, and had a go on the tractor, fed the ducks, and we took a ride on the model railway. Owen was a bit scared of it really and didnt enjoy himself, especially through the tunnel, where his eyes were wide with fear and he cried, so its lucky kids under 2 are free and its only $1 for adults! We got icecreams to compensate and then drove home again in time for tea.

Some of the scenery is stunning, other times is a bit ho-hum: paddocks with cows and sheep etc. Seen it before. But nevertheless we had a grea day. See some piccies below.

These are of the Manawatu Gorge, just heading out of Ashurst. Tiki, wouldn't recommend this trip when you're knocked up - would be a bit like your Tasmanian expereince!!

The Family at lunch and Lee with his BOWL of flat white.