Travelling to Whitianga

All is good here, except the rain. We are definitely over it now.

 The sun rise at Waitangi was especially lovely one morning, but the colours didn't come out as good as they really were.

We left Waitangi, for Whitianga, last Tuesday. State Highway 1, over the Brynderwyn hills was closed, because of a truck crash on the south side, so we were diverted via the coast road that comes out near Wellsford. One of the trucks stuck at the bottom wasn't able to use the diversion because he was too heavy for the road. He had a hitch hiker on board, who was looking for another ride. The road worker man ask Eddie if she could go with him and he said she can travel with my wife. She is from Argentina, so I spoke Spanish and she spoke English. That way we both got some practice in. We had a lovely drive together. The road is very windy, but I didn't even notice, so I am not sure how safe it all was. She understood all I said, so that was a bonus. She was very helpful when I got stuck too. We dropped her off at Wellsford, as she was going to a Buddhist retreat near Helensville.

We spent that night at Snells Beach, which is near Warkworth. We stayed at a car park where there is parking for overnight caravans. We left the truck on the caravan and, of course, we stuck out quite a long way. The slide outs used most of the parking space beside us where we put the jeep. Luckily only 3 other vans came in, so there was room for us all.

Snells beach

Snells beach

sticking out a bit

The tide at Snells Beach goes out about 600 metres from the high tide mark to the low tide mark. It is sandy, so it is easy to walk on.

On Wednesday night we stayed at Kaiaua, where we stayed on our way north. We went to the fish and chip shop for tea, but I don't think they are as good as they used to be.

Janice and John came up to Waitangi for a week while we were there. (Eddie's sister and her husband)We had a good catch up. 

Josie and Peter (old friends from way back) have come up to stay here in Whitianga for a couple of weeks. We are going to the movies this afternoon to see “Dunkirk.”.

We are still looking at downsizing or getting a smaller tow vehicle that I can drive when it isn't connected to the van. It is a work in progress.