Flemington to Wanganui

We left Flemington fairly early and headed off to Palmerston North to see Sally's niece and her partner. Rex had drawn us a map of the route using back roads on the back of an envelope and we used this to find our way.

Our first stop was at a woollen factory shop in Norseman where the expedition manager managed to us two nice Marino tops fairly cheaply.Andy bought some socks and Sally and I got nothing!!!

On to Palmerston North where we found Hannah's workplace fairly easily and then picked up her partner, Tracey before heading off to a bakery for lunch.

In the bakery, the expedition nutritionist said that we could all have pies and so we did. The pies were excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch.

All too soon it was time to say goodbye and we headed off to Wanganui where Andy negotiated a good deal for a motel suite close to the centre of town. 

In contrast to yesterday the day was hot and sunny and after we had unpacked we headed off for a trip up a hill in an escalator built in 1916. It cost us two dollars each to go up and two dollars each to come down. The view was worth the cost and Andrew and  I went up another tower to make the view even more spectacular.

After the hill we decided to drive off and look at the coast which proved to be slightly elusive. Not nay was it quite difficult to find but there was also a dreadful smell the beach with black sand was nothing to write home about. 

After the beach we had the obligatory tour of the shops in Wanganui and the expedition manager found a dress she felt she needed to try on. As with all careful planning we had of course arrived when the shops were shut. However she was so taken with this dress that she resolved we would have to go back in the morning and try the dress on.

Back to the motel we sat outside n the sun enjoying a beer before starting to prepare tea. We needed too run the oven on but none of us could work out how to light it and Andy had to go and ask the receptionist who came back with him to show us idiots how to so it.

A good tea, a good bottle of wine and we were ready for bed. Another wonderful day in North Island.