New Zealand- Day 8

Very different day today in every way. I will download some photos to give you some idea of the day and I'll complete the blog tomorrow as we have a full rest day. Got here to Hicks Bay safe and sound though!

Forecast wasn't looking good but we set off from Napier early as the guide said it would be a 5-6 hour drive to Hicks Bay. It started raining about an hour into the trip. As anticipated, it was a very winding road through the mountains but there were spectacular views as we skirted the coastline and then headed inland across the rivers.

Stopped off in Gisborne - larger than we thought - for lunch and then on through to Tolaga Bay where we decided to take a walk out to the end of a huge jetty a bit like Urangan Pier. Got about half way but the wind and rain got a bit much so back to the car.

Very slow, winding trip but again beautiful scenery and eventually got to our Hicks Bay B&B about 5.00 - about 7 hours driving! Very nice B&B but no dinner so headed down to the local motel for a nice steak.

Unfortunately my stomach seems to have acquired a nasy bug so while we had planned to take things easy today we are being kept indoors by my stomach and some torrential rain and strong wind. Not a cycling day!