Slide down that!!! Madness!

Thursday 17th November

I think he's lost it! "Must get up early" said he "To join in a Zoom meeting with ECP&DA" (Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association) The meeting time in the UK was for Thursday 17th at 7.30 pm.  So this morning, 8 am and Toy tidied to an inch of its life. Chairs set up outside with the background of the beach and sun streaming down. That should P them off in the UK! Anyway could he get to join? No, try as he might the message kept coming that he could join the meeting on Thursday 7.30 pm. By now he was all for throwing the laptop in the sea! I left him to it, took the camera to photograph a Cormorant. Fully expecting to return to a very grumpy Ian, instead I got a sheepish look. The penny had dropped, time in the UK was Wednesday evening not Thursday!

 

Cruise ship anchored.

Being up early meant we could leave to have another go at finding Rere Falls on the Wharekopae River. This time we left it to the sat nav. It was a good 40 km away but the road was reasonable although Ian did have to swerve a few times to miss the potholes. On arrival not a soul there, we walked down to another spectacular sight.

 

Tables had been place nearby and what opportunity to really make the family back home jealous! As soon as we had a WiFi signal this photo was sent via WhatsApp.

 

Coffee and biscuit break.

 

Just 2 km away was the Rockslide Falls. Crikey one has to be brave to slide down those rocks. What about jagged edges? Could do oneself a nasty injury! On the fence as we arrived were underwear. Gosh, how many bruised bums had been housed in these? Or...had they come off during the slide? Now that would have been a sight to see!

Don't do it Ian (He seriously thought about trying)

 

 On the way back we noticed an Arboretum. Lunch was still to be had so what better place to stop amongst native and non native trees. Such a brilliant place that we couldn't leave without going for a walk. There was a small fee of $18 to pay and this went toward the upkeep. 4 walks to choose from we chose the 2 km and shortest route.

Follow the yellow signs, it's an easy path suitable for all ages. This we disputed when a track led us high up along a path that was not for the Acrophobias, so narrow that I even had a few qualms. The drop was sheer! Hmm, I think somehow we had taken the wrong path!

 

Yes the path was that narrow and yes it dropped off steeply. I hugged the tree on the way around.

Eventually we found the correct path, and normal service was resumed. It was good to get walking again, although for some reason my right knee had stiffened up. It was fine yesterday! But perseverance and a lot of stretching plus Ibrobruphin helped no end.

Left for Gisborne and immediately confronted by this. I must just say that Gisborne appears to be the capital of the logging world! I know it's not really but lorry after lorry was all making for the port and queueing to enter.

Into a proper site tonight. Washing of bedding and clothes as well as ourselves has become a necessity. We stopped at Gisborne show grounds, lovely place with a camp kitchen very well stocked. It was Ian's turn to cook, he does do a mean chilli.

He wasn't expecting me turning up with the camera. Could some abuse hurled at me!

 

And wildlife.