The weekend and a little tiki tour to Gisborne with Leigh and Dan.
This will be mainly in note form as there was little time to update as we hurtled over rugged landscape, past hills and volcanic structures, viaducts, gorges and many tight hairpin bends! Forgive me if at times I have got events in the wrong order – I’m sure you will be happy to correct the errors Leigh.
We left Taupo around 8.30 heading south east towards Napier and then north east towards Gisborne. We passed the bush walk area just outside Taupo where Jessie had taken me to previously.
As ever, beautiful scenery which became increasingly rugged with very high hills and deep valleys and gorges.
About half way to Hawkes Bay, we stopped in the scenic Te Haroto hills. We went through the Hawkes Bay region but didn’t go into Napier this time as I had visited there before. Then on through Eskdale and the Esk Valley…. We crossed the Mohaka river over a bridge near a huge viaduct by Mohaka village and passed numerous wineries.
Stopped at Lake Tutira ….midges joined me back in the car.
I commented on some unusual seed heads.
We stopped for a picnic lunch beside the river in Wairoa which means long boat.
Leigh talked about different little schools she had visited in her work as we passed near to them.
Stopped on hill at Wairoa to see the river going out to sea.
Further down the road we turneD off to Mahia Peninsula.
Then headed on to the Mahia Peninsula – beautiful! Dan and Leigh had been here before and told me the story of them becoming marooned in their boat when the tide went out.
Everywhere here Wild ginger was growing beside the road and you could smell the fragrance when you rolled down the window.
We enjoyed views of Gisborne from Bartlett Hill. Leigh and Dan even stood up on a picnic table to see.
Arrived at Gisborne 7 hours after leaving Taupo and it was 32 deg.
Checked out a little church on the way up to Kaiti Hill – views over GIsborne city and harbour where timber was being shipped. – Princess Diana had planted a pōhutukawa tree here over 30 years ago.
We called on Heather and Greg (friends of Leigh’s) nearby and had drinks on their deck. It was very windy and nearly blew away the sunshade.
Our accommodation for the night was at the Senator. After freshening up we walked along a disused railway track across the river to Soho restaurant, where we enjoyed delicious seafood and Pinot!
