Well - the drive from Taupo to Hastings via Highway 1 and then Highway 54 was really quite splendid - such a beautiful country - from Alpine meadows to gorges to mountains to forests to high country covered in gorse & heather to lush valleys and pastures - it's almost like someone from a design agency has put this country together -

It's just as well New Zealand is tucked away in the furthest corner of the earth - all the other countries must be seething with jealousy at how lovely this place is...

Anyway - i'm now in Hastings awaiting instructions re-the balloon flight that patently will not take place tomorrow - i.e. the 24th - and not the 26th now - but hey - Plan B.....

Hastings is not the sort of place you'd normally stay for 3 nights - or at least not voluntarily - it is quite sweet, however. The town was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 - it also caused massive damage to Napier and over 250 people were killed. Both towns were rebuilt in an art deco style - and fortunately both town centres have been largely preserved - so if you like art deco - c'mon down! They even have art deco street lights in Hastings - and if you think i'm kidding just you come & take a look.....

Hastings has also lined the town centre streets with hanging baskets and flower pots - it's just a shame that the pots & baskets only have either white flowers in them or pink flowers in them. A riot of white flowers doesn't quite work...

There's a railway line running through the town - and indeed through the central fountain. Bizarre. There are no passenger trains now - just freight.

Tomorrow i'm driving down to Masterton to have dinner with Emma's mother & step-father - which i'm looking forward to....