The road to nowhere?

 It was the last loo visit at 10.30 pm when Ian called me to come outside and "You must see this". For goodness’s sake, I thought, it had better be worth it because I was already in my PJ's and about to get into bed. Well...wow....the sky, clear as anything and full of stars. The longer you looked, the more we could see, and that was with a glow of streets lights seen in the distance. What will it be like when it's truly dark, hopefully at some point we will find out.

The night was disturbed by dogs barking. Just as we drifted off they started again. A bit bleary eyed this morning and decided we may as well get going early.

Turned off highway 2 to find the way to Te Reinga falls. Road was quite bad in places, we had been warned by a local lass yesterday that the bad weather this year had caused no end of problems.

Scenery was stunning though.

At the start of the turn-off from highway 2 there had been a warning about a narrow bridge with weight limit and height restriction. This had been observed but not knowing the area or where the bridge was, we proceeded anyway. Oh, we found it alright! It was exactly where the Te Reinga falls were. A good job we didnt have a motorhome or high top van because no way would we have got under the barriers with them. I suppose we could have parked the other side and walked, an option for anyone who has a motorhome (Marilyn) because the falls are but a stone's throw from the other side.

Impressive, yes or would have been if the view was better. We looked at them from the wrong side, no way to see them head on, and some small trees obscured the view. Several more years of growth and I doubt anyone would be able to witness the might of the rushing water.

That bridge did look a bit saggy in the middle.  Maybe thats why a weight limit had been set.

The original bridge perhaps?

Having left the Te Reinga falls, we headed off to find Rene falls. T'was further inland but looked easy enough to get to. Just one more turn from the road and with my map reading skills was sure in the knowledge that I could get him to the place. Hmm, might have been a bit over ambitious. The road I took petered out to gravel, not that well maintained either. 

 

We kept going, me looking for a right turn which should take us straight there. The only right turn had a No Exit sign on the finger post and not another turn was found. We did see plenty of Kingfishers along the way as we followed the river and all perched on telegraph wires, at least 9. Only managed to get a photo of one though, the rest beat a hasty retreat as I pointed the camera at them.

 

 Anyway after 20 km we reached what I thought was a dead end. A sign saying Kupenga Station, ah maybe we shouldn't head up there, looked to be private. Of course trying to turn around was a challenge. Ian reversed to a widish area and with me directing (God help him) managed not to get the wheels stuck in mud or worse, down the sudden drop!

We abandoned the idea of finding the falls, instead headed back to Gisborne. Found a lay-by overlooking the town and stopped for a well earned coffee. In the distance rain appeared to be falling, heavy at that! I think we may be in for a soaking when we do get into town.

As per usual for us, we stopped at the i site. Right outside was this finger post.

 One of the reasons for stopping was to enquire where we could stop overnight. This very nice lad pointed us in the direction of Kiati Beach which had designated bays for self certified motorhomes and campers. It also had one of those toilets that locked the door for you and played a lovely melody while you were doing your business, Thankfully this time no time limit, not that I would have needed 10 minutes anyway!

 

 

And wildlife