Now past the halfway point

Yesterday was the first day of the second half of this fantastic trip. Before leaving Napier we made the most of another fine morning and had a walk to photograph some of the town. At lunchtime yesterday we left Napier for the three and a half hour drive further up the coast to Gisborne.Our motel was set back from the beach. It was early evening when we arrived, just enough time for a walk up the beach and in to town to buy some tea. There was a chill in the air by the time we got back to the motel so we settled down in front of the tv and skyped home after we had eaten. This morning we woke to another sunny morning,so we had another leisurely stroll along the beach and took a few pics. On the way out of town we crossed the river to view the Northern area of Poverty Bay. This is supposedly the place where Cptn. Cook first set foot ashore on his first voyage to discover New Zealand. The journey to our next destination, Whakatane (pronounced Fakatarney),which was another three hour drive, the most of which was spent travelling through a gorge. We stopped off about half way for a spot of lunch and a couple of pictures. It was also an excuse to take in a few of the sun's rays. As it is our 32 wedding anniversary today, we decided to push the boat out and checked into a nice motel in the town centre. Just enough time to go for a nice celebration meal in town.