Next Stop, New Plymouth

Our one night stay at Otorohanga was beset with rain and the temperatures dropped low overnight.  Another day of warm  clothes and socks - what’s happened to Spring?  The weather will improve, we are sure of it.  We left mid morning heading south, and it was a slower journey, with lots of climbing involved.  We bypassed the centre of Te Kuiti, and stopped briefly at the pretty little village of Piopio.  Such a lovely place, and we have stayed here twice in the past.  Driving up hill and down dale we admired the interesting rock formations of Mahoenui, they are truly amazing, in my view.

Rocks at Mahoenui

You have to admire the guts and determination of the men who chipped away to dig tunnels through  solid rock, and on our trip today we drove through two of these.  The first was at Awakino, a single lane but both high and wide enough to accommodate our caravan, thank goodness.  No doubt trucks can squeeze through these tunnels too, driving very carefully.

The second tunnel was at the top of Mt Messenger, double laned this time, but we were pleased we didn’t meet a big truck coming the other way.

Mt Messenger tunnel

The scenery around this area is fabulous

The whitebait fishermen were out in force along the river banks we noticed, but well out of our price range.   Fresh whitebait was for sale at Mokau, and there is nothing nicer than whitebait fritters.  We can dream, can’t we, and will make do with lamb chops tonight.

Driving along the coast, we passed through Urenui and Waitara, eventually arriving at New Plymouth.  This is Robin’s old stomping ground where he did most of his schooling (from 7 years onwards) and spent many happy summers at the surf beaches.  We are staying several days, always a bonus not to have to pack up and move each day.  The plan is to catch up with his old school mate Gary while we are here, and perhaps do a little sightseeing.  Wonder if we will see Mt Egmont in all it's glory, without it’s cloud cover, as it is today?  I’ll keep my camera handy, just in case.

Gemma has settled down well with this traveling business, snoozes the whole trip and doesn’t get too upset.  It’s even better, she thinks, if she can sleep on my lap.  Her harness and lead are attached to the back seat car belt so she is quite secure but has just enough lead to move from the back seat to the front, and to keep her from being flung against the front window.