And so through Auckland

 21st November

 Oh dear, the weather is not playing ball at the moment. Not cold but damp and mizzly with the heavier torrential downpours occasionally thrown in for good measure. Still today was another travelling day, we had hoped to make Whangarei but bad weather, road works, pulling over to allow faster drivers to pass when we drove through Karangahake Gorge, (missed an opportunity as we drove past a sign for historic walkway, it will just have to be done on our return from the Cape) and the fact that the Toy struggles a bit going up steep hills, (she is an old girl after all) which didn't help as it made for a slower journey. Also factor in Auckland with more traffic than we have seen in weeks and our destination was impossible to reach until very late in the afternoon, and we are not ones to stop late!

 

It was very easy to get through Auckland, just stay in the centre lane of the highway and guaranteed not to stray off the SH2. Not that we condone the misuse of a motorway lanes of course. Left lanes usually meant having to take the exit and Ian almost made that mistake. It was on a very new section of the highway, we have recollections of it being under construction when we came through 2 years ago. Anyway Ian just managed to get back onto the SH2, thankfully the road was clear as he rejoined.

 Blooming Tolls. Another that would have knocked about 35 km off the journey, but we took the free route instead. Glad we did because it led us to a place called Whangarporoa. Ian remembered this was a place we had stopped at two years ago. It was also mid afternoon and we had been on the road for over 5 hours and driven 238 km, about time to stop.

  For some reason I didn't post anything about the place and I do not remember this at all. Anyway it's a free site with loo's and a dump point but no potable water (drinking). For once, we both talked about where we would go next. Usually Ian sorts the itinerary, although I do tell him what should be visited, but one thing I had put my foot down about was driving on the sand at 90 mile beach. Many a time a stuck vehicle had been lost to the sea and with this van not ours, it wasn't going to happen to us! So we have booked an all day coach excursion on the 26th which includes lunch and sand surfing for those brave enough. Hmm, maybe I might have a go at that, who knows!

 Oh, and we have heard there is another storm coming to the Northlands. High winds and thunderstorms. We may be in for yet another soaking!

And seen on route,

And wildlife

A pigeon is a pigeon whatever the colour.