Set off from Ohakune in poor weather and had decided to go across the mountain pass, as shorter route but were strongly advised not to as extremely narrow and untarmacked in parts, so went the long route!!. However we thought that perhaps we could see the top of Mt Ruapehu as we were travelling right past the mountain base at Whakapapa - big mistake as we ended up travelling some 4k up through thick cloud and hair raising bends only to get to the top still swathed in thick cloud and not a view in sight (Sue was decidedly twitchy both on the way up and down!).

Having decided to take the long route, we stopped off for a lovely breakie's with a great view over Taupo and then travelled some 250k over some awesome (word used a lot in NZ) scenery and roller coaster roads. Arrived in Napier mid-afternoon really quiet, but to be fair we eventually realised that it was Sunday having lost track of days and dates.

Napier is basically a new town as it was devastated by a massive earthquake in 1931 and then rebuilt in the subsequent years. As this rebuild occurred during the 30's the town has some amazing art deco architecture with some lovely buildings and enthusiasts of art deco come from all over the world to visit Napier.

That first day we visited the town's museum and here we saw some graphic and really quite harrowing recollections of the earthquake as told by survivors. Ended the day with dinner by the quay, but with everything closing yet again at 9.30pm!!

2.2.15 …. Toms birthday today! Started with skype calls from the family, lovely to see and speak to them all (technology great eh?) plus got some lovely messages and cards from friends and family…….Thank you!!!

Hired bikes and went off around the bay. The cycle paths are brilliant and New Zealand are way ahead as legally you have to wear a helmet or face a $75 dollar fine! Ended up doing 20 miles around the waterways which was great but needed a couple of drinks at the end - very hot today.

Sue booked the "Mission" for an evening meal which is NZ's oldest winery and apparently the best restaurant in Hawkes Bay (opened by monks with blessing from the pope in 1851), good girl. The venue was awesome and is one of the oldest buildings in Napier with great views over their vineyards. The meal was superb and as you would expect the wine was excellent, ended up on the terrace under the stars - really awesome (please note that we are now bilingual).

Next day had a lie in as it was still Toms birthday in the southern hemisphere (i.e. birthday lasts 37hours NZ/UK style). Booked an ale/ wine tour from 12pm and yes we did have a drink just after 12, it's hell out here!!. All in all we visited a brewery and 3 wineries; sampled some amazing wine - we were told that we would not have a bad wine whilst in NZ and so far it is living up to its reputation!

Returned to the beach for late afternoon and had dinner overlooking the Pacific, walked back to town and you guessed it ended by having a nightcap in an Irish bar and a had a jig, locals were a little surprised but supportive in the end!!.

Napier, lovely in main town but a bit spoilt by the dock area.