A fairly short post today as we will be travelling most of the day.
Manage to get out of bed this morning without falling over after our long walk yesterday.
Another good breakfast sets us up for the day's travel to Devonport. As usual, David gives us some recommendations for a coffee stop and short walk along our way.
There's quite a bit of traffic around as we hit SH1, the main highway. We decide to go off this and take a more scenic route.
Nearly all of the houses in Northland have postboxes on the roadside. Along one stretch of road we saw some novel ones - like this microwave being used as a postbox! Could it be their way of dealing with junk mail?
Another novelty we saw was a JCB and a lorry driving along a railway line. This is just the lorry, the JCB was a little way behind.
Some views along the way.
Eric decides we need to stop for a snack. As usual, a beachfront view is the preferred location.
The flax plants (a native plant of very culturally significant importance) are abundant here, but do block the view a bit, particularly if your a bit short like Eric.
Eric attains a higher viewpoint on the other side of the lookout lay-by.
Traffic is heavier again as we rejoin SH1, and even though it's only about 3:30pm the one road into Devonport is choc-a-bloc. It must be Friday evening early knock-off time for commuters combined with the school run.
Eventually arrive at our new abode for the next three nights, right on the esplanade in Devonport. It's very convenient for the ferry to Central Auckland, and to the many restaurants and cafes of Devonport. There is complimentary walking tour of Devonport included with the B&B booking but our hosts are out at a dinner tonight, so that will have to wait until the morrow.
The view form the room towards Auckland CBD.
And Eric watching the ships in Auckland Harbour from the windowsill.
There is a long history to the house we are staying in. We are shown the photos and filled in on all the details too numerous to mention here - a good story for when we are home.