Hawera to Wanganui to Raukawa Falls- Hawera to Mt. Damper Falls on the Forgotten Highway

This weekend we almost did a circle trip over two days. I say almost because on Saturday we drove from Hawera south to Wanganui, then up the Whanganui River to the Raukawa Falls. If we had kept going for 3 more hours we would have reached Taumarunui.
On Sunday we drove from Hawera up the Forgotten Highway (I forget why they named it this) to Mt. Damper Falls. If we had kept going for 2 hours we would have made it to Taumarunui. You see?
There is another trip out there waiting to happen. There is just so much to see and only so much time to see it.

On the way to Wanganui, there is a beach called Cave beach. This is a very impressive place. There is a boulder/island that is called The-Hole-in-the-Rock. Your guess is as good as mine.

Of course there are caves and it is very pretty. There were blue squishy things, kind of like a mussel but without the shells. Anyone know what they are?

We saw a seal there too as we were getting into our car. That makes two seals so far.
Before you get to Wanganui there is a strawberry farm called Windermere. Simon and I have our names in to pick and package the fruit. We should hear in 10 days time so keep your fingers crossed.
 Wanganui is a happening place. It has Victorian gaslights, wrought iron seats and the avenues are lined with Palm and Plane trees. It is also known as a river city. The Maori trace their ancestry along this river back to the 10th century. On another trip we will have to see the museum. It apparently has the best collections of their treasures, canoes, tools, kiwi-feathered cloaks and carvings.
We drove up to the Raukawa Falls. It is only 15m high but 50m wide.

 Cary was a bit disappointed. The road to get there was quite spectacular though with its climbs and dips and valleys.

We drove back towards Wanganui down the river a bit so Simon could try out his new Trout rod and reel.

 Cary is planning some canoe trips. One is down this river and it would be fantastic!
We had supper in Wanganui at Rosie O'Grady's Pub. There is a love for all things Irish in New Zealand. Simon tried the Steinlager on tap.
Both boys were sleepy so I drove home in the dark with two hands on the wheel negotiating the curves and hills.

On Sunday, (both weekend days were glorious, by the way, with sun and blue sky) Simon got picked up by his new friend, Robin, the plumber. He took him to the Deerstalker's society annual target shoot out at the local range. He shot a 6.5 cal. rifle at 400 meters. He did quite well and many of the blokes are planning on asking him to accompany them on a deer hunt!

Cary and I went up the Forgotten Highway. The signs emphasize to gas up before heading on this adventure. It's 1.80/L now.Their GST is at 15%. First change in 20 years and it happened on Oct. 1.
 It's a road heaped with history. There were once thriving pioneer communities all based on the building of the railway and roads. There are two really neat tunnels on this route. One is called the Moki tunnel (180m long) which is also known as the Hobbit's Hole. It was built in 1936. On the walls are fossilized giant crabs. The other tunnel is called the Makahu tunnel which was built in 1907. Impromptu parties have been known to erupt in the Makahu tunnel and all travellers are advised to wait them out by joining in.

There are 4 saddles on this route and what that translates to is 15km hairpin turns and roller-coaster trips climbing up and up then barrelling down the other side. We drove maybe 40km in the good stretches. What made it worse was that motor-bikers thought it would be a lovely day for a tour. They travel these roads at 100km. No lie! I couldn't imagine driving at 100km plus sharing the road with other cars. No wonder they have the nickname of organ donors. And guess what? We talked to a few of them who stopped at an outlook and they were swigging down beers! Yikes. We asked them which direction they were going and thankfully they were going in the opposite direction.

We arrived in Whangnamomona, pronounced Fngnamomoana. They have a 115 yr old building that serves up a great meal.

 I had nachos and a Whangamomoana Republic Draught on tap. Oh yeah it is a republic.It is a republic 22km square. Its' last president was a goat.  Tai the poodle stepped down after an assassination attempt.You can buy a passport at the hotel.
They throw a Republic Day every two years with events like throwing a gumboot, cracking a whip, sheep races,  skinning a possum, and carrying a bush pig (dead) on your back through a fitness trail.
Cary was initiated into the area by having it's renowned burger and chips. It had a patty, ham slice, fried egg, beet slices, lettuce, onions and a tomato on a sesame seed bun. Well half way through he felt he had enough. He asked for a doggy bag. The owner obliged but he took the time to come and say that their usual rule, is that if food comes back into the kitchen it goes into the rubbish bin. Because he wasn't very busy, he wrapped it in foil. Note to self, bring foil in purse in case one needs to wrap up leftovers.
We made it to Mt. Damper ( 57 meters) falls after  a quaint 20 minute walk.

We decided to head home with me driving. I was mad that I missed a great shot of 50 pig skins of a  variety of colours draped over and along a farm fence.

Cary was trying to figure out the car radio by reading the manual while I was driving these incredible roads. Well he got carsick. Even lying down for awhile didn't help. So I pulled over so he could be sick, and eat a kiwi. He thought he would drive again so he could focus on something. This seemed to help.
We made it home safe and sound after another stimulating day.
Thanks for reading!