Another grey old day greeted us, and at times we wondered where the "NZ Turbo" setting was on the windscreen wipers.
Our motel host suggested a scenic route back to Auckland, and with miles of time to spare, we took up the suggestion.
This had us heading up the coast, where she promised us we would actually see the sea!!!
She was right. Before we reached Miranda and up to Kaiaua we were quite stunned. On our right was the ocean-right to the top of the beach, then something between 50m and 10m of land to the road that we were driving. On our left, appearing to be lying even lower than the sea, were cow paddocks, with cows munching away on lovely green grass (much like our flats along the Murray River near Jervois).
How does this work? Should this grass be able to grow here???
As we drove into the town we found the letterboxes on the ocean side of the road and the houses on the away side. We have seen the postie in his van (not a bike) delivering in a number of places, but not sure how this works as a practical thing. Does he need to get out at each spot, or does he just drive along on the wrong side of the road?? (Each time we have seen the van it has been on the wrong side of the road)
This is New Zealand , and we should not have been surprised to find that the planned route to Auckland was closed due to a slip on the road.
With a deadline to reach the airport this was an interesting development, but we kept the worry at bay, and were thankful that we had brought along the navigator so could identify an alternative route without too much trouble. This meant heading inland and travelling across the ranges on very picturesque country roads. Who could really complain?
After a brunch break we headed off again, and again were diverted due to yet another road closure! We were now down to the line on our timing, but, despite some interesting route choices, we still managed to find a petrol station, return the car, and jag a timely drop off at the airport with about 15 minutes spare to the check in cut off time. Whew!! Then of course there was plenty of time to be processed through and wait for our flight to Sydney along with a good number of other orienteers and many others who were toting masters games backpacks.
We had a fairly tight schedule in Sydney to collect baggage, clear customs, recheck baggage, transfer terminals to the domestic, repass security and find our gate. We were delighted to have enough time to relax a little and catch up with Peter and Robyn Cutten who were also on the flight home.
The sight of Ben, Vassi and Grandpa Tom greeting us at the airport was wonderful. It is good to be home, and we were very happy to climb into a comfy bed, with comfy pillows and the right amount of bedding for these fussy sleepers.
That's the end of another adventure, making memories together for the Diments.
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