We then proceeded along the SH2 in the general direction of Wellington and after stopping to take on fuel in Hastings, managed to completely lose the route as the signs to Wellington had disappeared, to be replaced by ones to Waipukurua (a small town on the way). We found the route again and promptly lost it when we found ourselves at Havelock North! Clearly the extra fuel would be needed.
Once we rejoined the SH2, progress was uneventful and we just before Dannevirke to change drivers. Alison then drove up to our planned stop at Pukaha, where our hosts had recommended that we should visit the National Wildlife breeding centre and bird sanctuary. This proved a great relaxing break, the cafe food was excellent and the park visit very interesting and both were reasonably priced. It was possible to do walking routes of from 15 minutes to 2 hours - we chose the 45minute option and saw some endangered birds plus a white kiwi in a very dark enclosure. (picture not good enough to publish)
Peter resumed the driving and after bypassing Masterton on the basis of recommendations, we once again entered mountian roads on the route from Featherstone to Upper Hutt; some great views, but nowhere sensible to stop!
According to the local paper a young lady was arrested by the police for dancing in her car at Lower Hutt - she was subsequently released without charge!
We arrived safely at Rydges once again with about 60km of fuel left and no further navigational issues but in very cold and windy conditions, so much so that we could not empty the car! this bodes well for our crossing to south Island on Monday! A very welcome swim in the hotel pool was followed by a tasty bar snack as we did not feel like combating the gales.
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