Tiger Moth Safari 2020 - Part 4

Skirting the hills to the north of Taieri in fine weather once again allowed us views of the rail line traversing the hills and gorges below as we flew north. Hyde came into view so it mentally put me back on my bike as I recalled the cycle adventure here a few years ago and I now followed my route cycle northwards to Kokonga for our next landing. DPS took the lead into the circuit as we followed other traffic in for our landing, on the longer grass runway, and parked beside the hangar we were to visit. Magnificent feeling to arrive on this hill top airstrip now crowded with other aircraft from our Safari group.

Just as we walked to the hangar we were given a buzz by a couple of departing aircraft which had us flyers enjoying this blue sky day to the max. Peering inside the hangar we spotted two aircraft of interest. A dusty Tiger Moth and a CAC Winjeel CA-25 Australian Air Force trainer! Surprising things we find around the countryside on these flying journeys. Murray clambered around these machines while I photographed the scene before me as I probably won’t see another of these around in NZ.

Our next port of call was Ranfurly where the Tiger Team had permission to land on a large paddock to the east of the town so we were all excited by that. I heard a few Tigers in the circuit so joined to land immediately behind them and DPS followed on as number 3 to land. This was a great spot as close as we could possibly be for those who chose a walk into the township nearby. I was out with my camera just in time to catch a 3 ship formation go past. Great viewing for us all on the ground as the weather was still blue sky and still giving perfect flying conditions for the flyby.

Well, lunch was on for us at the next stop of Oturehua so we all started our aircraft for the short run over to the Cafe stop which would be Murray and my last on the Safari. This worked well as there was already aircraft on the ground as we found the paddock so a simple procedure had us arriving one after the other to be met by the Hayes Engineering Work manager who then delivered us to the Cafe before returning for others.

Our lunch was followed by a tour of the Historical Haynes Engineering facility adjoining the Cafe so really gave us a huge history lesson for this area of NZ and also the foresighted abilities of the family who commenced this business in the strange new land of New Zealand. Wow. Impressive history best viewed as we did, on a Tiger Moth Safari.

As we left the premises in a very relaxed state I suddenly became aware of the time........“Murray we had better make a move if we are going to get to Nopera”. With a bit of added urgency we were dropped off at our aircraft up on the plateau nearby and worked our magic on getting our aircraft airborne. Murray was away first as I needed to wait for my 20 litre fuel container to come back after the Tiger Team orrowed it, to transfer fuel between Tigers.

Mike had asked earlier in the day what time to expect us and I had advised late afternoon, probably about last light. Now I was wondering if my relaxed state had jeopardised us getting into Nopera!

Getting airborne and settling into the climb gave me my first chance to review timings for Nopera which looked marginal for arrival before last light. With a refuel required for us both in Rangiora, I found at top of climb that we had 30 minutes spare before ECT (evening civil twilight)?

A recheck of the afternoon winds aloft confirmed tail winds at 5000’ for the first leg and the same for the second leg to Nopera but only at 7000’. Whew. Can we do this pit stop at Rangiora for two refuels with descending then Climbing afterwards? Murray chose to descend after crossing the Hunters Hills (5300’) whereas I chose to stay high at 5000’ to keep the tailwind and hope I would be cleared through controlled airspace. Keeping an eye on Murray through my Air Nav Pro iPad APP, I could see we would arrive together at Rangiora but would not have time for a circuit. This worked well with the prevailing Easterly breeze giving us both a straight in approach, following another Rangiora aircraft as number two and number three.

Whew, can we get two aircraft refuelled In minimum time and out of Rangiora within 20 minutes? Yes, we proved it could be done. Back into the air, I was immediately asking Christchurch Control for clearance to 7000’ as my ETA on the iPad was not looking good. This was given and Murray also followed me up to 7000’ as we saw the winds at 5000’ were not going to get us to Nopera before last light. The climb to 7000’ took in the last of the afternoon fine weather and the magnificent views of the Kaikoura mountains were certainly spectacular to see in this light giving thought to how formidable it was for any emergency, for either of us at this late hour. That aside I was excited to view the Clarence River again to see how much water was flowing with all the dry weather this area had experienced over summer. Not very much water at all! It’s on my list for White Water rafting so hope it has more water when my turn comes!

Crossing the eastern side of Molesworth Cattle Station was also another pleasant memory of my trip through there some years previously but now the pressure was on to get to Nopera so most other thoughts disappeared as I saw a layer of cloud below me that was possible problems for us. We needed to remain at 7000’ for as long as possible as the ETA would have us land after last light at Nopera, if we lost the tailwind.

As we flew onwards Murray and I communicated on the ‘chat frequency’ to ensure we were on the same plan mentally as there was not much ‘fat’ in the timings and little else to choose in the way of alternates once past Woodburn. Nearing their controlled airspace we needed to communicate again with Christchurch Control to be cleared through so my hope was that it would not be a problem. And it wasn’t, fortunately, as to descend now to fly outside of controlled airspace might cost us our overnight if we then needed to fly around the terrain that was before us, thus lengthening our journey.

Maintaining altitude until a few miles south of Havelock allowed us to have a smooth descent into Kenepuru Sounds, past Hopwell Lodge and onwards to Nopera. What a pleasant arrival with evening lighting making it a superb, smooth and easy descent, turn onto left base and landing with Mike’s ute lights on for us to easily identify our strip. Sometimes the evening light disappears early if conditions are overcast but tonight that was not the case fortunately.

DPS was on left base as I climbed out of Mike Alpha Lima in the parking Bay. Fantastic, is all I can think. What a great way to spend a day. We couldn’t fit any more into it except Mike’s wonderful hospitality, yet again.

Murray pulled up in his C152 DPS and we unpacked our overnight gear leaving our aircraft untethered as they were in the lee of tall pine trees with the forecast settled weather. Mike took us back the 6kms to the Lodge in the dark to complete our day with our friends at Hopewell. Yeha! Too late for mussels but after being shown to our rooms it was down to the dinner table for pizza and salad with the wine we had purchased at Mosgiel earlier in the day. Yeha, again! Love this spot as much as you and Lynley do, Mike!

A very pleasant evening followed on with many other guests at the large dinner table where we had our pizzas. Always friendly, always chatty people to discuss the Hopewell Lodge hospitality and each other’s adventures.

Next day I awoke at a reasonable time of about 7.30 am so had my mind on a hot tub beside the wharf to start my day. Into my ‘togs’, towel over my shoulder, I pulled the curtains back and opened my door and almost bumped into my next door room mate who was also just leaving for her early morning swim, to be followed by a hot tub. She’s a bit keen, I thought, but she assured me that the water in the Sounds was not too cold and quite refreshing. The view from the room through the bush to the water of the Sounds below the rooms was spectacularly inviting, I must admit, so I stuck with my plan and proceeded to the Boat jetty where the spa pool was poised above the water. A beautiful sight at this early hour to watch the sun come up over the Sounds.

Sabine later on arrived at the spa pool after her early swim and confirm the water in the bay was as pleasant as expected. We chatted away for a while about her adventures in NZ while she was on her sabbatical from teaching, and we both extolled the wonders of the location that Hopewell Lodge was located in. I related some of Murray and my airborne adventures and how we had arrived last night just as darkness set in.

Breakfast was underway as I returned to the Lodge so Murray and I settled in for a chat with Mike, over coffee and toast, under one of the trees on the edge of their garden, overlooking the Sounds. Mike advised that accomodation was not available for this next night, unfortunately, as he had overlooked a reservation when he advised me ‘all ok’ to stay. Murray advised that it was not a problem as he would fly back to Masterton. I put forward that another night at Hopewell would suit me and we hadn’t aired our tents yet on this mission! Murray instantly agreed on the suggestion as we both enjoyed these annual expeditions and loved the hospitality with Mike and Lynley. That sorted, Murray and I discussed retrieving our tents from the aircraft. As Mike was shortly to depart for Te Mahia in his boat, to collect arriving guests, he told us to just use the car in the driveway to collect our things.

A quick tiki tour out to the airstrip was an enjoyable way to start our day and check on our aircraft since we had left them untethered when we arrived on dusk last night.
The drive on the windy, gravel road is always about as fast as a bike ride since the corners are blind in the initial phase and demand extra care. What a spot! Always impresses me, just having found this wonderful spot. Being flyboys, it is only in settled weather that we come in here so that means the sun has always shone for us when we are here, magnifying the picturesque, relaxed scene before us. Fifth time into this strip at Nopera over the past few years since discovering it way back in 2013? And I noted each time has been in March within a few days of previous visits!

Retrieving our camping equipment from our aeroplanes was an easy task so back to Hopewell we went to set up camp. Mike has indicated that the tents would be ok near the spa pool so that was ideal. Once these were erected we relaxed and chatted with a few of the other guests. Some had been fishing, others sunbathing and others with their own inflatable kayaks had already tested the bay.

After lunching at the lodge we then set off in kayaks to the far side of the Sounds which was an easy paddle in the calm waters. Before setting off though, I needed to pass my address on to a couple of travellers, Martin and his wife, whom we had had a chat with the previous evening and who were enroute to The Coromandel before leaving NZ for their homeward journey. This was shouted to them from my water borne kayak as they were leaving the lodge after we had spoken so would not be there when we returned.

Sabine was also nearby sunning herself near the beach and suggested she would also be up Coromandel way and would pop in for a visit too so also took the address. Wow. Five adventurerers from Hopewell Lodge to visit us on their way out of NZ! ( As it happened the Corona virus lockdown changed all this)

Our paddle across the bay was an easy way to enjoy the stunning location as the mussel farms were directly opposite the Lodge and made a pleasant diversion to paddle through and talk with a couple of boaties who were line fishing in the farm for a local fishing completion.

Returning to the Lodge, Sabine reminded me she was keen for a flight in the Pelican so I arranged to borrow the lodge vehicle and Murray, Sabine and I drove back to the airstrip for fun in the sky. Conditions were perfect so we launched the Pelican to fly past the Lodge and around to Crail Bay before returning to Te Mahia for a straight in landing at Nopera. We all enjoyed the relaxed day afterwards back at the Lodge as we three chatted with Mike at their garden tables.

We once again had a lovely evening chatting with Mike, Lynley and other guests around their large dinning table before heading off to our tents. Murray and I felt a midnight dip in the spa pool would a great idea so sat back and took in the clear starry sky above us while we reviewed our trip and plans for the next day. Departure day and the end our our 2020 Safari!

Packing our tents was the first job, after we had breakfasted in the garden to allow our tents to dry out. Lynley had already departed for the Havelock Mussel Festival and Mike had ferried her across the Sounds to Te Mahia so we farewelled all of our new found friends and departed for Nopera airstrip.

Murray was away first then I lined up and, with a wave goodbye to Mike, was also launching for Wanganui for my next refuel while Murray was climbing for the track to Masterton, across Cook Straight and into the Wairarapa for home.

The day was perfect and I would have liked to call in at Port Gore airstrip for a catch-up with Cliff and Dianne but I decided to keep climbing to 5000’ and enter Wellington controlled airspace who were happy to clear me to Kapiti Island and onwards to Wanganui with a change over to Ohakea Control at Kapiti. Smooth flying, clear weather was great fun at this altitude so away we hummed. Nearing Kapiti, I heard Keith’s C180 Alpha Mike Kilo requesting a clearance through Wellington to Wanganui at a lower level of 2500’ so presumed we would catch each other at Wanganui.

Descending into Wanganui was a straight forward exercise as was the landing on the Easterly runway following other traffic in to land. Mogas used to be available here but I seemed to recall that last landing here required Avgas so I parked at the Avgas pump to cover both options. The aero club instructor arranged the Avgas refuelling after advising Mogas no longer available, so I refuelled and then wandered off to pay the landing fees. This used to be an excuse for coffee but with the cafe closed I needed to find my way back to the control tower to pay them into the box there. Alpha Mike Kilo was just arriving as this was done so I wandered over to borrow a pen from them and a quick chat.

All complete and engine started it was launch skywards again for the 1 hour sector through to Turangi for my next port of call. With their scheduled March Flyin tomorrow it was a convenient overnight stop to catch up with the team there. I had called Alan to advise I would arrive mid afternoon and he was on the strip as I taxied up to the park bay. Away to Alan’s place to drop my overnight gear off then to Ray and Wendy’s for an afternoon beer and chat had me become aware that Wendy was not at all well. This would impact our Flyin in Day tomorrow as Wendy is a valued member of the Turangi Aero Club having been the club secretary for many years.

Next day dawned far nicer than my previous visit here so we were pleased to see the sun which boaded well for the fly In. It was to be a “boys own” due to Wendy’s illness so we prepared the clubhouse for the arrivals at midday. Windows cleaned, debris removed from the deck and chairs positioned for lunches we were ready to go with the bbq heating up as the first arrivals touched down. Foxpine, Waihi, Hastings, Whitianga and Mercer aircraft were on line, so made the day and introduced us to more aviation people.

A pleasant lunch break and a chat with the arriving pilots, over our lunch, followed by the farewell to the flyers, had me also read to launch by 1400 so I bid the team farewell and launched skywards for whitianga.

A most pleasant day and departure north on the final segment to Whitianga on a Sunday afternoon was the standard northbound journey that I had done many times before. Karangahape, Mangakino, frequency change for controlled airspace entry at Mangakino, entry at 5000’ but advised General Aviation area active around Matamata would I like to descend or climb to 7000’? “Climb to 7000’ Mike Alpha Lima”

Not always possible on this sector but on a clear day, like today, it is a great view of both the east and west coastline showing us as the island we are. Smooth flying allowed continued VFR flying right through to Whitianga and even an on track descent over the Pinnacles.

This is very much a random event as normally cloud build up or winds aloft make me avoid this direct track. What a fantastic way to end two weeks in the air around New Zealand 🇳🇿 and finish my years flying with 25 hours flown on the Safari and a cumulative total of 75 hours in the Pelican for the 12 months to date. Whoopee.

Until next time.....hope you enjoy the stories and happy flying