Goodbye South Island, hello North Island

Arriving at the ferry terminal we learn our ferry is delayed an hour. We had already been unable to book into a campsite in Wellington. The Edinburgh Tattoo is on for a few days and everywhere is full. We had therefore changed our plans and booked into a site about 30k up the west coast.

The ferry journey was very smooth but we did arrive in Wellington later than originally anticipated.

We arrived at Lindale holiday park and were allocated the ' paraplegic pitch ' next to the ' paraplegic toilet'.

We decide to walk into town to find somewhere to eat and after a kilometre or so find ourselves in a parallel universe - a kind of tourist village round a large carpark. Every shop is closed or vacant. Only a solicitor and an architect are in, but closing for the day.

We walk back!

It rains!

On Friday morning it is raining as we head for Napier. We travel across the country to the east coast diverting to Herbertville because of its name. It is on the coast and about as far from anywhere else that you could get. But it is a scenic drive.

Further on we arrive in Hastings which is famous for its Art Deco architecture. We don't stop but continue to Napier which is also famous for its Art Deco architecture. We had learned of a parade that was to take place and we had seen lots of old cars on the way.

When we booked into the site we got a brochure on the Art Deco Festival that was taking place this weekend so we will stay an extra night.

Goodbye South Island 

Hello North Island