Family weekend in whanganui

7

 Family weekend in whanganui

We set off on Wednesday and had a night in Ohakune. Steve and family stayed in a motel outside Taumarunui and we met them on Thursday at Angel Louise cafe in Raetihi where older kids enjoyed a huge breakfast!



Then a trip to the famous Dinosaur House! Who would have thought Raetihi had something as amazing as this…huge moving Dinosaurs complete with roars. Ruby was equally impressed, terrified and bemused. Arlo just “No!” And headed for the door!

And then on to Whanganui.


 Swallowed by a dinosaur,!!!!

Onwards to the wonderful playground in Whanganui 





Got to our bnb and the kids had fun checking out the new toys. Cooked dinner and looked forward to the arrival of Jem and Mitch. Plane was late but they finally got here!

Good Friday …not much open but we all had fun going up the middle of the hill in the old lift and climbing to the top of the tower.





Afternoon weather was mild and sunny and we had a wonderful ride to Castlecliff and North Mole beach. By the time we got there the kids were ready to strip off for a play in the black sand.

Saturday was spent at the amazing market with side visit to Article cafe which is in the old Whanganui Chronicle building. Robyn, Ruby and Arlo had a great ride around town in a red double decker bus!
Then onto our bikes for 10 km ride heading north to a tiny village for lunch. Mitch and Jem not impressed with very dodgy hire bikes but they survived. Especially as we refuelled at the quirkily named pub, Porridge Watson.

Ruby not sure about the Whanganui wildlife

Arlo finds another animal to sit on…as long a as it’s not a dinosaur!

Easter Saturday and a big surprise from Mitch and Jem as they presented the kids with special Easter sacks full of appropriate treats and activities as well as special pjs to be worn for egg hunting the next day.




Yay! The Easter Bunny (aka Jem) has left some treasure hunt clues and the egg hunt is on!




Arlo seems to have lost his digger pjs in his haste to find treasure!



Strangely no one thought to take photos when we all had a wonderful trip up the river on the old steam boat, the Waimarie! But it was lots of fun.
Then I dashed Ruby off to the miniature train at the play park… I think I was more excited than she was, nostalgist about similar rides I had as a child. But she loved it and waved madly at Gogo as the train chugged by…12 circuits to be exact.




Then I snuck off to enjoy a couple of peaceful hours of lunch and happy contemplation at the Frank Sargeson Gallery. What an amazing place . I’m already looking forward to a return visit!

After a family dinner at the great Japanese restaurant in the old BNZ building we headed back to pack up-the end of a happy family weekend in a special little town. 








 





Comments

  1. ElaineMay 25, 2025 at 4:47 PM

    Precious family times

    ReplyDelete
  2. DelwynMay 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM

    Loved seeing these🌟

    ReplyDelete
  3. Robyn AMay 27, 2025 at 11:56 PM

    Great read Rob. Lovely family holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  4. RosJune 3, 2025 at 1:43 AM

    What a great holiday! Loving maps, I had to track where it was in NZ and how far from Raglan. Loved the pics, so good to see Steve and Jem in their very grown-up form! And how lucky are you to have two grandchildren - so precious. I do love seeing their white little bodies on the black beach - great contrast!

    ReplyDelete

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