Gentle Annie

Gentle Annie is one of those roads not often travelled, from Taihape to Napier.  140kms of steep, winding road, up and over several mountain ranges with the scenery changing from steep grassy slopes, pine plantations, and National Parks.

The day started off wet  and misty as we climbed up one hill after another.

After a while we arrived at our stop for the night, free parking at  the Springvale Suspension Bridge.  When the rain eased, we went for a walk to check out the bridge.   Opened in 1925, it was an economic necessity to open up more remote land for farming.  Despite the rough and winding nature of the road, the bridge carried a lot of traffic, and after 45 years the suspension bridge was considered unsafe for heavy traffic.  In 1970 the road was realigned and a new bridge was built alongside the old one.  Saved from demolition by Tony Batley, the bridge is now owned and managed by Heritage New Zealand.

Springvale Suspension Bridge

Looking down from the bridge to our caravan

Geoff and Eileen arrived later in the afternoon and we enjoyed 4zees together.  It was a chilly night indeed out in the middle of nowhere but the day promised to be fine.  We set off along Gentle Annie to complete our journey, up and over even more hills.  What’s this on the road?  A fine lot of black steers being moved along the road.  There was nothing to do but stop and let them walk around us.

Cattle on the road

There was another stop along the way, at the HB (Hawkes Bay) Panorama Lookout.

Panorama of Hawkes Bay

Down from all the hills, our trip over Gentle Annie was almost over.  Next stop, Napier.