Paeroa to Thames - thru farming land

Overcast and cool start to the day after a proper breakfast prepared by Brenda. Goodbye and soon we were back in the green farmlands, with the milk cows recently released from the milking sheds and now hungrily devouring the grass to make more milk by afternoon.  

It was an easy ride, but nothing that exciting.  The mountain range running parallel to the path and to the east, helped to set quite an idyllic scene.

As midday approached, we veered off the trail to the Cheese Barn, where I could get a proper coffee!  The Spinach n Feta tart looked good, and it was!  as was the coffee.  There were several people there, locals as the farming talk portrayed.  Overheard one woman say that the AI had finished and they'd let their bulls out...  

But back to the trail and heading into Thames and onto the Dickson Holiday Park, where my booked caravan was awaiting.  Not quite - the cleaners were running a little late, could I come back in an hour?  Sure, so I dumped the panniers in the reception area and Hennie and I went off for a look around.

Found a beach site covered in hundreds of Pied Oystercatchers with a few Sootys amongst them.  Also a large colony of Pied Cormorants.  I found a art gallery in an old building, so went in and was quite impressed with the high quality of the paintings. 

Just down the road was a little corner shop that sold mainly bait, but I bought 500ml milk and treated myself to an ice-cream before heading back to Dicksons.  unfortunately, no beer or cider available there!

My Caravan expectation was based on the wonderful little caravan that I stayed in at Jackson's Retreat on the South Island in 2017.  Maybe their standards were very high, as they weren't reflected in the rather daggy old caravan that my key fitted.  Its OK, but defo about 1 star.  No cooking facilities here, fridge without shelves and no table, just a bed at one end and a sofa at the other. No top sheet either, just a velour blanket.  Thankfully I packed my silk sleeping bag and saround.  No towels, so back to reception, $3 for 2 towels! No wifi either,  just 30min vouchers, so was given 3 of those.  

The amenities block was quite a walk away, but headed up for a shower. $1 for 5min shower.  Back to reception to get coins, also $4 required for the washing machine tomorrow.  At least the water was hot!  The kitchen area looked a tad dodgy too, so decided that all I needed was a cup of soup and some toast, thankful for the electric kettle and toaster!

And then it started to rain...  so a grumpy end to the day!  Am not a fan of places that quote one price, then all these other extras are added on.  I had trouble finding available accom in Thames.  At that time, didn't realise that it was a long weekend!  so I now understand why Dicksons was probably the last on most peoples list.  

Thankfully there is a radiator here, so that is going full blast to counteract the damp cold that is seeping into this little van!  Goodnight!