Eriksen Road

It was time to move on from Kiwitea after four days of country style hospitality.  After we all enjoyed a cup of tea and a slice of Christmas cake sitting outside at the picnic table, Emma’s boyfriend Shimon helped Robin hook the car and caravan up.  Then we needed a bit of guidance to get our rig safely through the gates, and we were on our way, heading to Napier.

Robin and Shimon

We drove through Colyton, Ashurst and over the Saddle Road, where the huge windmills on Te Apiti Windfarm kept me mesmerized as the blades turned slowly round.  Hopefully Robin wasn’t watching them too, as he needed to keep his eyes firmly on the hilly road as he drove around all those corners. 

Te Apiti Windfarm

Once over the hill, it was up SH2 to Napier.  The closer we got to our destination, the hotter the temperature rose, reaching 30 degrees, that’s a lot hotter than we get in Levin!.  The Hawkes Bay area is well known for its rather high summer temperatures.

Goodness, it’s hot outside

We arrived at Eriksen Road NZMCZ Park in the early afternoon, a little hot and bothered, and ready to choose a site, set ourselves up, and have a late lunch.  Poor Gemma was rather hot too, and after a cool drink, slept the rest of the afternoon away.

Ready for the next few days

The attendant came to make sure we were NZMCA members, and to check our Covid certificates.  He told us that after low numbers in the park at Christmas, 35 vans had arrived after lunch. And we noticed many more roll in during the early evening.  It was a joy to sit outside in the cool of the early evening, watching the sky change colour, and we heard the roar of the stockcar races from nearby Meeanee Speedway.

Monday evening sunset

The main purpose of coming here to Hawkes Bay, as well as the usually hot and sunny weather, was to catch up with my sister’s family.  Sadly, Kathleen passed away four months ago, and due to Covid restrictions, we hadn’t seen anyone on this side of the family for some time.  We met up with BIL Dennis, my niece Lisa and her adult children for lunch on Wednesday at the Station Bar and Grill in Napier.  The meals were great, and there was plenty of news to catch up on, it was so nice to see them again.

Dennis, Lisa, Adam and Kate

So what else have we been doing?  A couple of Robin’s friends from the NZ Motor Home forum who were also staying in the park at Napier popped around to see us.  There was a visit to the laundromat, the supermarket, dump station and to fill up on fuel, all the usual holiday related happenings  And time to while away sitting outside enjoying the Napier weather, for morning tea, lunch, BBQs and in the cool of the evening.  Gemma enjoyed being outside on her lead with us, until she had declared enough was enough  and went back inside for a rest.

In the bottom of the wardrobe, playing with a hanging cord

There’s sure to be another small adventure or two before we depart.  We are staying put here  till after all the New Year crazies have been and gone off the roads, we decided.