Paihia

So we got out of Auckland on Tuesday morning, the proud carers of a white Nissan of indefinate age with a worrying number of km on the clock. It is rented so that means less hassle. E thought she could find her way out of Auckland without a map but missed a turning . After 30 minutes we were on the right highway going the wrong way. That was soon corrected at the next exit and we were over the Auckland harbour bridge and away by 9.15. We have named State highway number one Bruce, it's easier to say. Stopped close by Wangarei (I think) for lunch and a most interesting visit to an oil refinery, where someone had built a model of the whole place on a scale of 1/33. Fascinating!! Pushed on after that to Paihia, a seaside village on the bay of islands. Drove through the village in about 30 seconds looking for a place to stay. It was motel, fantastic views, luxuory accomodation, all the way. Feeling desperate E flung out her arm and said 'try over there". E looked round, checked that the price was for two, and said ok. K got the price down a few $, and we are booked in for 8 days. It is old but everything works and it is clean and big with 2 bedrooms, living area with a sofa and tv, which is luxoury for us after cramped rooms and two weeks in a van. Weather is unpredictable but about 20, we have been driven along 90 mile beach, which is 88 km long and seems endless. There E tried sand surfing, while K looked after the camera. We have taken a trip round the bay in a tall ship, and out on a longer trip round the 144 island out to the hole in the rock. (We can try and get a picture in) There was a large party of unruly British pensioners on that trip. Otherwise we walk, climb, and watch the birdlife which is varied. Biggest problem is : How many ice creams a week can you have when you are on holiday for 4 months. We haven't solved that yet.