East Coast

The drive up to Gisborne was lovely, even tho a bit damp. Finally some countryside that really appealed to me: 'lumpy-bumpy' hills not over-burdened with trees and some lovely views out to sea every so-often. It was expecially good around Tolaga Bay.

My hosts in Napier had recommended a small holiday park right by the old wharf in Tolaga Bay and I woke up to watch the sun rising over the sea, without even having to get out of bed! This is probably the most eastern sunrise I'll see on this holiday (see below) and it was lovely. Once it was light enough I took the harp down to the beach and played to the sound of the sea... the way one does...

All up the East Coast is interesting, if somewhat obviously poorer than some other spots in NZ. I even ventured the 22km dirt road to East Cape and the lighthouse there. This is where 'time starts' - any further east and I'd have been in yesterday! The Napier guys had suggested I climb up to the lighthouse... so I did: all 765 steps of it! Fabulous views of course but even now, DAYS later, my calves are agony...