Loved the place so much we decided to stay for another day. The marina is an investment area … 142 moorings (called allotments) only … there are NO fees … the boat owner OWNS the allotment … current price per allotment $500 000. Definitely a wealthy person’s area. A further 1 000 blocks are being developed in the countryside around Kinloch, however the number of moorings will remain at 142 … supply and demand … drives the price up. We’ve researched the Hicks Bay to Gisborne to Napier to Hastings road conditions … infrastructure damage … e.g. bridges swept away … property damage etc … absolute destruction in sections … Landslips, washaways, rivers broken banks … so will reassess our routes in 2-3 days’ time depending on road openings. Jane is reluctant, I am waiting on ... read more

We closed-up shop last night with the sky “on fire”. We reopened this morning to clear sky and the sun shining. The road conditions, opened or closed, for the route we planned to take, were checked. All good, even though there had been numerous rockfalls, landslides, washaways and fallen trees, all of which had been cleared from the main thoroughfare. We came across all of them with workmen still in attendance. Before leaving Hawera we explored it a little. A very clean, well ordered town with all the facilities one would need in this modern age. However, we both wanted to hit the road and experience The Forgotten World Highway. With Mt Taranaki/Mt Egmont clearly on our left we headed for Stratford and the beginning of Highway 43, more commonly known as The Forgotten World Highway. ... read more

The previous day concluded with me saying that a day staying put and reading a book would be the go. Not surprisingly, it didn’t happen … from 3pm it did as we returned to the same spot as last evening. We visited Te Rewa Rewa Bridge hoping to get a shot of Mt Taranaki/Mt Egmont through the ‘gap’, however the mountain was covered in cloud and the bridge was under repair. The coastal walk began from the bridge and headed for 12km to the beachfront of New Plymouth. We walked 15 minutes towards NP and returned to the bridge. Into NP and the beach to view the surf and sand before heading to a high spot near the aquatic centre for Jane to do a 4km walk while I ‘planned’. The ‘plan’ proved to be flexible ... read more

Pulled stumps at 8.30am and headed to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds (Te Pitowhenua/Our Nations Birthplace). We paid our entry fee and spent well over 2 hours educating ourselves in the Museum of Waitangi (Te Kongahu). The historical information of events to the current day are presented in multi-media form, photographs, interactive opportunities and physical objects. One cannot but learn. We enjoyed it immensely. The weather was becoming worse by the hour … as I’m writing this … it’s by the minute. We revised our plans … again … and heeded the advice from locals and the weather bureau and headed south … damn! Driving proved to be a focused effort as the wind tried its hardest to blow us of course a number of times. The highway was ‘chokkas’ as many had made the same decision ... read more

Jane did all the heavy lifting today. Why? She isn’t colour blind or deaf, can read, stable … on her feet that is, able to run and is a techno whiz. I tagged along … enjoying the no responsibility day. We purchased an Auckland Transport (Metro bus) card and loaded each with $10. First destination, Mt Eden (Maungawhau). The bus driver got out of the bus to show us where to catch the return bus … result … we forgot to tag off … result … $1.31 remained on each card for a trip that was to use only $1.15 Travel and learn. We walked along a rising road winding around the Mt before taking over 300 wooden stairs to the top. It was fresh and we enjoyed the greenery and the views even though the ... read more