By the numbers
11.15kms
16,137 steps
I was hoping that since I was leaving Paihia
and the Bay of Islands today that I would leave the wet weather behind. I was
lucky leaving for the bus and getting breakfast that I did not get wet at all
as it was trying to be sunny. I did see that today we a cruise ship sitting off
shore and near the Naval ships. By the time i left for the bus there were free
cruise bus’ driving around town dropping people off. I was surprised arriving
at the bus stop to find there were a few people waiting at the stop and they
seemed to be heading towards Auckland. Very few people got off at the other bus
stops heading to the city.
The weather did change once we left Paihia
almost literally just around the corner as we headed towards Opua. In some
places the rain did become heavy and I was worried the weather would mean we
could be late. The rain did actually stick around even when we did reach the
outskirts of Warkworth. Since I had free internet while on the bus, I was able
to post pictures as we went that I took from. It was even better when Claude
commented on some I had taken of Hikorangi as he knew where uncle Don had
bought his first bike for the paper run or another family owned a business that
had a good reputation. I thought we were stopping at the cafe on the Bynderwyn
at the turn off to Maungaturoto that takes you towards Dargaville too. The two ladies that got off were hit with
driving rain and I did realise that cafe had closed. It must have been when the
bus’ had stopped going there and went to another place.
Once I had made it to Warkworth I had to walk
a short distance to where I am staying in the lodge. I wanted to stay in
Warkworth as it looked like an interesting place to stay outside of Auckland as
it is only an hour by bus into the city. I wanted to explore some of the
buildings that I had passed on the bus. After checking in, I went for a walk to
the information centre and found they no longer have a heritage trail pamphlet
to hand out. I did take a picture of the map on my phone with numbers, but
nothing to explain what the numbers were. The lady at the info centre also
suggested that I do so too. I had to guess what it was that I was looking at. I
had a pretty fair idea especially when I found the old band building, War
memorial and even the Masonic Lodge. I was annoyed when I found the old Town
Hall was being renovated though as it said on the panels, it was being
Earthquake proofed. Regardless the town is nice to be in and while I had
several spots of rain I did not need my wet weather gear and it was clearing up.
I might have walked along the wharf visiting the restored scow, the Jane
Gifford and the local cemetery.
Apart from my pot luck at the numbers, which
I think could actually be wrong and getting me lost. For example the town hall
was number 19, but I think it was wrong on the map getting me out of whack. Not
that I am complaining. I could have
walked to the museum, but that to me was a little too far out of town. I don’t know
what it would be like to walk there unless I was here for a day or so and not
an afternoon. It is good not having to actually walk to the Auckland hostel as
Warkworth is something different to explore. There are other places, but I
think I needed to spend some time here instead. I got fish and chips from the
Chinese restaurant and went to the park to eat it. I was visited by a duck, an
evil little sparrow that you had to be on the ball in watching where it was and
seagulls. One second the sparrow would be at your feet and the next on the
table. I bet if you did not pay attention then it would be in your food. I
actually had one in Dunedin that tried to eat my burger while I was eating it.
I found it funny how I seem to find all the free wifi spots in the area. The
banks are easy along with a new one that I found today, which is the stationary
Warehouse. I only have a small amount where I am staying, but it will get the
job done.
Tomorrow the next leg of my trip occurs,
where I will be heading to Taupo. The one place where I have not actually been
and a big tourist destination. I have been wanting to visit for years, but it
had always been a pit stop on the bus on the way through. I will be spending
two full days there and see how it goes after the first day. I end up getting
there late tomorrow so it should be interesting especially when washing is
needed to be done.
No comments:
Post a Comment