Around the mountain

A fine day, with a hazt start, for driving around the mountain.  First stop, the wreck of the SS Gairloch, near Oakura.

It was a short walk from the road to the beach. The wreck is uncovered at low tide.

Next stop - Cape Egmont and lighthouse.

The end of the road- furthest west.

Lunch stop at Hawera -

leaning tower (not really!)

And some murals

We then drove back via Stratford and Inglewood.

 

Under the mountain's rain cloud

Mount Taranaki was wreathed in clouds but we drove up the slopes to visit Pukeiti Gardens.

It wasn't the right time to see rhododendrons in flower, though there were some. Also sculpture and impressive native trees.

One of the 'tree houses'

Sculptural moa...

...and pouakai (Haast's Eagle)attacking them.

In another part of New Plymouth we found Lake Mangamahoe and walked around it.

 

New Plymouth Costal Cycleway

 More stunning scenery along the coast to New Plymouth (Bell Block). We cycled into the city for lunch, then back to the bus.

 

Day Three - Cambridge to Mokau

Blue skies returned for day three of our trip. First stop, Otorohanga...

...where we visited the Kiwi House and Native Bird Park. As well as birds there were lizards, skinks and tuatara (if you could spot them).

There were plenty of birds too...

Beside the Kiwi House was a carved gateway into a reserve with small lakes, which we explored before hitting the road again.

The scenery was very dramatic, especially through the Awakino Gorge. I snapped a few photos through the windscreen.

We parked overnight where the Gorge met the coast at Mokau, and explored the beach

Mount Taranaki hazy in the distance - the next day's destination.

 

An Autumn Trip

 

Cambridge

We drove in beautiful sunshine to Cambridge and parked in the motorhomes area at Cambridge Racecourse.

Malcolm tries out the new moveable table he's built.

The next day was overcast but not cold. We cycled to Lake Karapiro (and back) finishing the Te Awa Cycle Trail that starts in Ngaruawahia - excluding the road sections. We have done the other two sections previously.

Plenty of autumn trees with colourful leaves.

We had lunch at the lakeside.