Moving on to Napier

It was time to continue on our safari,  stopping off at the lookout to bid the mountains goodbye

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Looking over Lake Taupo

Then we traveled along SH5, the Napier-Taupo road, 262 kms in length, with signs warning of no petrol/diesel available along this route.  But we did notice a couple of areas where you could stop to plug in your hybrid car, should you be driving one of these.  As we drove along the scenery changed from farmland, to forestry, to native bush, with plenty of hills along the way.

Along the Napier-Taupo road

Eventually we arrived at the Hawkes Bay region, and drove along the very pretty Esk Valley.  This is a very productive area, and planted with many grape vines and fruit trees.

Our plans were to stay the next three nights at the NZMCA camp at Napier.  How busy would it be, we wondered, after all, it is peak holiday time.  But this is a large site, with plenty of room, so we had no trouble at all finding room for our four caravans and one motorhome.

 

Now at Napier

Napier really turned the weather on – hot and sunny and approaching 30 degrees!  Luckily we had put our van beside Geoff’s and had our two awnings facing together to give us some shade.  We were a day late with our Sunday bacon and eggs for breakfast, but it tasted just as good on Monday morning, cooked on the BBQ.

Can you smell the bacon cooking?

And then the weather changed dramatically, heavy torrential rain, with thunder and lightning to boot!  We all seemed to have things to do during our time here, rellies to visit, off to find a laundromat, then a supermarket.  Gemma settled down well, as she usually does, making herself at home.  If she’s not at the front window, she is found curled up on the bed, or then again, she rather enjoys sitting on the vanity looking out the bathroom window.  Whatever takes her fancy, it seems.

Gemma in the caravan

Friends Andrew and Debbie, whom we caught up with in Taupo, were also staying at Napier.  Come and take photos of the babies, we were told.  So we did.  Van and Beau are Ragdoll kittens, so soft and sweet, and just getting into the caravanning life.

Sleepy Van and Andrew with Beau

Safe on their leads, the kittens then went exploring.  Lots to see, sniff at, and investigate around the hedge line.

Two little Ragdolls

Tomorrow we will be moving on again, not too far this time, to a POP just south of Hastings.  This will be a new place to all of our group, and sounds and exciting place to stay.  More later……