Position 39 53.730S 175 05.270E

Drove along the coast rode and first stop was at Paekakariki – a small sea side village.  Walked along the beach for a ways.  Lots of shells and the sand is black.  The island you can just make out in the background is Kapiti – a bird and marine sanctuary.  It’s open to visitors, but only 86 people a day.  An odd number I thought.  Anyway, this region of the coast is called Kapiti and stretches up from Wellington on the west coast

Came across this ‘Strawberry’ fete, in aid of a hospice, at Paraparaumu.  Lots of stands with lots of tack but these guys were brilliant – no singing, just lots of different drums and whistles.

The ever hopeful seagulls near the food vans.

Have I mentioned those lupins yet … here they are again but you can really see the colour now.

Arrived at Wanganui or Whanganui – you can spell it either way.  Originally without an h, but in 2009 the official Maori spelling was adopted, and that has an h.  It caused so much confusion that the NZ land minister decreed either spelling was acceptable.  Lovely site next to the river.  Forgot to take a photo though.  Paul busy applying for our Australian visa’s.