Road trip

Sad news last night that Bevan’s father died suddenly so he’ll be coming from San Francisco to Gisborne to sort things out this week so we’re going to head up there to see him. I have not been to Gisborne since I was a teenager – last time to be billeted with a religious family on an orchestra trip – so it’ll be interesting to go back there.

I don’t think I ever realised exactly where it was. As a kid we always came from the direction of Opotiki, through the gorge and to a town bigger than Opotiki with more shops, including the infamous everything store Williams & Kettle (not sure if it’s still there) and a town clock. And it took maybe 1.5 – 2 hours. Have never driven up from Wellington. It’s a long way. Well, maybe as far as going to Awakeri. Up through Napier (which we’re familiar with) but it looks like a scary winding road after that. A journey according to the AA of around 520km which takes just over 6 hours (undoubtedly with a safe driving speed of 90km/hr and rest stops every hour).

So, road trip! Hoping for good internet, good coffee (seems there are a couple of cafes using Supreme beans!) and some of that sunshine they have so much of. The pictures of hotels and motels we’ve looked at on the web have ‘rural’ scenery out the windows. Will be really good to see Bevan again although under sad circumstances.