A day of ups n downs: step out of room, cycle 2km then go vertical for the next three. From sea to 370m. Good views afforded from the top: height and distance gives a perspective to the small space the town lies in. Lovely day in good weather – windswept too!
Tairua is now a holiday (fishing, swimming, etc) and, I suspect, second home destination. A very shallow bay separates it: the name is Maori for two tides. Maybe Frankie Goes to Hollywood was inspired here.
In between it’s farm land and the occasional small [tourist] town. I do like the way there is a board telling folks when it is “service” day – when bins will be collected. There’s also more hills – who would have thought that in this volcanic area (granite from the peninsular built Wellington). Tsunami signs have replaced Australia’s fire warnings.
Activity goes on – we skirted Hot Water Beach. The idea is at low tide you dig a hold in the sand and sit in it. Hot water sandy bidet sounds like.
Tomorrow it’s southwards again. Lot’s of suntan lotion needed….
Travelling reflections 