When we wake on Monday morning the temperature is already 24C (75F) and is expected to reach 32C (90F) in Hastings. The wind is blowing mightily. Our destination city and home for the next week is Wellington where the temperature is going to be a high of 19C (66F). Winds are gusting to 30 mph.
William must firmly grip the wheel as he drives the car south on Highway 2. The orchards and vineyards we are accustomed to take their leave and the landscape turns to ranching and diary farming. We watch (and follow) the drivers of small campers as they struggle against the wind to keep their vehicles on the road. It seems inevitable, and outside of Papatawa we come across a camper that has rolled over into a ditch - emergency crews have just arrived to assist.
William must firmly grip the wheel as he drives the car south on Highway 2. The orchards and vineyards we are accustomed to take their leave and the landscape turns to ranching and diary farming. We watch (and follow) the drivers of small campers as they struggle against the wind to keep their vehicles on the road. It seems inevitable, and outside of Papatawa we come across a camper that has rolled over into a ditch - emergency crews have just arrived to assist.
After an hour and a half on the road and with a light rain starting we decide to stop for a coffee and a small bite in the town of Woodville. There are four or five cafe's to choose from, but The Nibbley Pig sounds like too much fun to pass up.
The rain is coming down much harder as we pick up Highway 3 to continue our journey. Signs warn to slow our speed and of a curvy road ahead. Soon we are going through the Manawatu River Gorge. It is gorgeous, and if it were not for the heavy rain we would stop to enjoy the area. A disappointment.
Highway 3 takes us to Highway 57. Tararua Forest and Mount Holdsworth are on our left and the area is very rural. Eventually Highway 57 pops us onto Highway 1, which takes us alongside the ocean on our trip into Wellington. The grey skies and crashing waves are very dramatic.
The rain is coming down much harder as we pick up Highway 3 to continue our journey. Signs warn to slow our speed and of a curvy road ahead. Soon we are going through the Manawatu River Gorge. It is gorgeous, and if it were not for the heavy rain we would stop to enjoy the area. A disappointment.
Highway 3 takes us to Highway 57. Tararua Forest and Mount Holdsworth are on our left and the area is very rural. Eventually Highway 57 pops us onto Highway 1, which takes us alongside the ocean on our trip into Wellington. The grey skies and crashing waves are very dramatic.
We arrive at the Quest apartment we will call home almost five hours after we left Hastings in Hawke's Bay. The apartment is right in Wellington's central business district. Our apartment is a studio, basically a hotel room with a wall of small appliances. There is a combination washer/dryer unit in the bathroom. It is suitable for only a week's stay.
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