Thursday 23rd April

Today phase 2 of the ’big trip’ started. After leaving Terry’s house in good order for the house-sitter we departed at around 1pm for Masterton. It was a journey of just under 100km, the first 30km of which was over the Akatarawa mountain range and Tararua Forest Park. The road was very twisty and steep in places. We were advised by the local AA office NOT to take that route because of the condition of the road but - us being us - decided to give it a go! And we were very pleased we did. Not only was it the most direct route but it was beautiful and the scenery - in the gaps between the trees - was stunning. We stopped for a picnic lunch at the top of the climb and sat and looked over miles of bush to the coast beyond.

We had coffee at Greytown on the way. That was a nice little town, with lots of old colonial style buildings and, in the churchyard, the biggest tallest Eucalyptus tree I have ever seen with a trunk which must have been nearly 10ft in diameter.
We arrived at the Chanel Court Motel in Masterton around 4pm. Motels here are great - we have a 2 bed ‘unit’ with kitchenette complete with cooker, microwave and fridge, shower and loo. I remember from my previous visit how good the motels in NZ are and they are such good value for money. This one is $NZ90 per night - $NZ45 each - roughly just over £15. Can’t be bad. We bought remaining food from Terry’s house with us and cooked our own dinner - tuna/mayo jacket potato and for pud - a real ‘Kiwi’ kiwi fruit - lovely!