Finally!!!!! Sunshine

We are spending a couple of days in Gisborne. It is on the NI, east coast. Our trip has been amazing so far, and I've included a couple of pictures for you to enjoy. For those of you who are mapping our course, here goes: Arrived AKD then ferried to Waiheke, back to AKD, then north on 16 to 1 and stayed on the coast at Mangawhai Heads. Follow N on 1 to Whangarei, then out to coast to stay at Tutukaka. Back to 1 N to Paihia, then 10 to Kerikeri and turn S onto 1 and stayed in Kaitaia, then south on 1 past AKD, then 2E to Thames. N25 to Coromandel town, followed 25 around Coromandel penninsula to Tauranga, then E on 30 & 35 following the coast to Hicks Bay, then south following the coast to Gisborne. Whew! How boring for you. The coast is really a mixture of rugged Oregon coastline and hills and valleys with sheep and cattle everywhere. Lots of logging in the East Cape region. Roads are incredibly well marked with reflectors and they have lots of one-land bridges. Jon is really doing a superb job of driving. We have seen more rain and the hills are incredibly green, we were beginning to wonder if we were plunked down in Ireland! Yesterday, we arrived in Gisborne and will be geocaching and wine-ing (?sp) today. Yesterday we spent the afternoon walking downtown and along the beach. Very warm and sunny here. Gisborne is supposed to be the hot spot in NZ today at 80-85. We got up this morning and walked along the beach for several miles. Good way to see the area and we needed the exercise! We just came from a late breakfast of eggs benedict and hot cakes. The best we've ever eaten! We are enjoying the breakfast here, as eggs are usually served with a mixed green salad or an abundance of fruit. We have taken to eating only one meal out per day if that, and we are finding fresh blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Along with the kiwi fruit and granola or the DELICIOUS oatmeal I packed along with me from dear Debbie (thank you). Tomorrow is farmer's market day and we will pick up the freshest produce we can.

We have entered a new realm of LATTE'-DOM. No flavored syrups here, just coffee, strong and fabulous! They have short and long blacks (americanos) flat white, latte, cappucino and hot chocolate. Iced coffees are like a milkshake with coffee or a blended latte'. Anyway, I'm in heaven here. We had our first 2 days without rain, then the rain and wind started, and we spent 6days running to and from the car. Jon is thinking of upgrading the car to a little larger model when we arrive in Napier. He is kind of pretzeled into this one, and it's hard to drive for long that way. Most of the hillsides are covered with pasture and sheep. Most of them have been shorn and when it is raining they huddle together like they are comparing haircuts! We've enjoyed some of the local cow's milk cheese and the local wines are very diverse, just like home. Groceries and restaurant food is incredibly expensive here. Luckily, the motels are equipped with kitchenettes, and we can prepare light meals. The motel rooms are also large here too. Usually a table and sofa and TV area seperate from the bedroom. This kind of travel suits us well. Must run for now. Off to geocache! Tried it the other day and didn't find the cache - darn it! Missing all of you at home. The 14th of December and I am in shorts and walking the beach, unbelievable!

Jon and Joyce