Bay of Islands to Auckland

Time to head back south where our first stop should be Auckland. We did however have to call at the Avis car rental depot in Whangarei to clear up an issue related to where and when we had to return the hire car. The documentation said we had to return it to Auckland airport on 31st October, when in fact we will need to return it 2 days later and about 700 miles south on the other Island. Minor issue really -and all resolved satisfactorily.

The breakfast pie ( a kind of egg, bacon, cheese and tomato Welington, though one was missing the bacon) and plenty of tea and toast set us up for the couple of hours drive down to Auckland, through some very changeable weather. Our only other stop was back at the same cafe we had called at on the northern journey, in Owera, for lunch.

Flossie directed us to the next B&B for a reasonably early check-in.  Our breakfast table this morning had been shared with some people who were from Auckland, and they recommended that we walk up to the summit of Mt Eden in Auckland, as it gives 360 degree panoramic views over the town of Auckland and is a extinct volcanic crater. So after dropping off our luggage that was exactly what we did.  It was about a 45min walk from the accommodation - uphill nearly all of the way.  Finally arrived at the top and true enough the views were amazing, and the crater was very volcanic crater like (but with grass growing in it). 

There were views of Eden Park Rugby ground, which is at the end of the road where our B&B is.

As well as downtown skyline views - well it makes a change from the airport ones.

The other interesting thing was that all the very variable weather conditions were visible all at once.  We were nearly blown away as the wind was incredibly strong.  Hence the panoramas are a bit fuzzy - too difficult to hold the phone still. 

And Eric had to be rescued after being blown away in the wind.

The descent was much easier than going up, and luckily we had packed our waterproofs as the rain caught up with us again, requiring both trousers and jacket.  With a wind like that it wasn't long before it had blown over and our outerwear dried out. Back to B&B for a cup of tea before setting off to an Irish pub for dinner. Pork sausages with whiskey sauce!!  And a 'little' plate of potato skins, cheese, sour cream and tomato salsa - this came in a dish that had about an 8in diameter bowl and was certainly not 'little'. 

Time for bed now before our next adventuring to Rotorua tomorrow. It's very cold here - may have to get the thermals out.