06.02.2020 Just when you think all's going well...

I said goodbye to Adrian, Kate and Molly the dog this morning to set off for Taupo where I will make my base on by the lake for a few days. Kate loaded me up with fresh plums, oranges and some fresh pressed juice for my journey. Car packed, room checked, passport checked and the usual double checking of everything before I set off. Got around thirty minutes drive away when my phone started buzzing - first time in 6 weeks!! Yes' you guessed it I had left behind my anti bite stuff, my fresh juice and most importantly my bottle of Milltons Pinot Noir! Had to go back didn't I. It didn't end there either just as I got to my hotel I had a message from Kate to say that I'd left all the rental car docs behind - what a dope. Thank goodness for technology - all came through via email but it just goes to show that I seriously have got my travel head on now - need to focus :):)

Aside from these mis-haps the road was it's usual curving self along the cape, even getting down to 25kms per hour on some bends and the inevitable Devils Elbow - must have been down a few of those on my travel. Got about a five hour drive today so not many stops along the way. After Wairoa the road twists landwards again away from the coast and then back out to Whirinaki where the beach changed from the beautiful white sand that I've become used to to the black volanic stuff that you associate with places like Tenerife. Then shortly after that my route headed into the central area and I found myself driving through pine forest and rolling hills - could have been in Scotland apart from the sunshine. Crossed the River Esk - am I in the right country?? Found myself driving through vineyards with familiar names - didn't stop honest. But did stop for a break when I spotted a beautiful lakeside spot along the way.

Another long day driving so looking forward to getting out walking tomorrow.