I won't be doing that again.

 November 13th

A sudden urge to use the loo at 5 am had me crawling out of bed, cardi on and rushing over to the public toilets keeping on my PJ bottoms instead of getting dressed. Didn't expect anyone about, but I wasn't the only early bird, one was waiting outside the loo as I exited! What was really nice at that time of the morning was the sunrise. Bright orangey red highlighting the Toy passenger door. Ian was most bemused when I grabbed the camera on my return.

We were woken at 7ish by walkers all in high viz vests chatting away, some with radios blaring. They seemed to come in dribs and drabs, loads of them, a refreshment station was nearby giving out cold drinks and Ian overheard one say how tired she was having started at Hastings and so thankful the finish line was so close. Found out it was a Mitre 10 MEGA Walk 

A sudden brainwave came to Ian last night. He wondered if it was the operating button on the brake peddle arm that was at fault, he found bits of black plastic on the mat. Sure enough when he tried it with a $1 coin taped to the arm, it worked. Yea...a temporary fix for now he is still hoping to get a spare part from Toyota in the near future.

$1 coin surrounded by yellow tape

The National Aquarium of New Zealand was a short walk away, the day was lovely and sunny and quite hot. Sun screen was used in copious amounts. We managed to get in on senior citizen rates. Showing our driving licences did the trick and for $36 for us both, well worth the visit. It's not as big as our Sea Life Centre in Birmingham but what Sea World lacked was an upper floor showing a film on earthquakes that had happened here and what one should do if one occurred in the near future. Very informative.

I made him do it!!!

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With the brake lights no longer an issue, we set off for Countdown in Napier. There was a Pac&Save but most things there are in multiples, and we only wanted toothpaste and food for a couple of days. What was most unusual was just across the road from that Countdown was another Countdown and looked to be a similar size. How bizarre to have two almost next to each other! Goods purchased we headed off to find a spot to stop at for tonight. Ian found one 25 km from Napier at a place called Tangoio walkway at White Bush car park, and it had a swing bridge and waterfall lookouts too. 

But all was not well because (A) there were signs saying no overnight camping and (B) a sign had been placed at the start of the bridge mentioning the lookout was closed due to slippage.

This time we did heed the warnings, but I don't think we would have stayed anyway. A dubious character, wearing nothing but shorts (which he constantly pulled out from the waistband as if looking down at himself) in a very scruffy camper (although I don't hold that against him) kept looking toward us both and grinning. He then proceeded to the river with a carving knife. Scrapping sounds were heard, oh 'eck...he was sharpening the knife on a large stone. Imagination ran riot so we high tailed it out of there as quick as we could!

Instead of heading back toward Napier, Ian felt sure there was another camp ground further along the road. He was not wrong. Right by Lake Tutira. Lots of midges and nasty biting insects but leaving windows closed was not an option. Too hot!!! Luckily a fly screen had been provided so with that in place, a lovely welcoming breeze came through the window.

 

So this is where the title of this post comes in, but first I must set the scene... as I mentioned earlier nasty biting insects were becoming a problem every time we opened the door. Fly spray had been used and was left out near to the table. So now the tale continues... Dinner tonight was another Thai Green Curry but this time (sorry Marilyn) a jar of sauce was used. I was getting a bit hot and bothered, the cooking wasn't going exactly to plan and in my haste to fry the onion and pepper I grabbed what I thought was the cooking oil spray. Copious amounts were sprayed in the pan bottom, onions and peppers added, cooking was now going to plan, the chicken in next and browned and then the sauce poured in. And that was when the penny dropped! The cooking oil was still in the cupboard, I had used the fly spray! My heart sank. Ian found it amusing but what to do now? No other food other than bread, cheese or crackers, I was all for ditching the lot but Ian insisted no harm would come to either of us. I gave Ian the first taste, he said it was fine, okay be it on his head if we were sick all night. Well...seeing as how I'm writing this, there were no adverse effects from my mistake at all, stomachs were fine, but rest assured, I will check I have the right spray in future!

With no phone signal or internet it was a lovely peaceful evening. A Morepork called in the distance and two wild turkeys appeared with its chick. 

 

We watched Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, only because we wanted to see the scene at the Panicles. Forgot how long the film was, well over three hours and needless to say we went to bed late!

And seen on route,

State highway 2 and another slippage.

And wildlife by the lake,