We drove 350km north up to one of our favourite places, New Plymouth and Taranaki. I've got a soft spot for this part of the world; mum and dad took us to the beach in summer and the mountain house in winter through my childhood.
Carol scored a free book from the tiniest library in the Taranaki region - that cute little box which was in a charming clifftop walk we did, driving around the cape and Mt Taranaki.
It was a lovely autumn drive: green paddocks and red and yellow trees.
Round the mountain and two nights in the city, then across country and the Forgotten Word highway to the middle of the island, Taupō. Now that's a rural drive, lovely. Big native trees and rivers with water in them, yay. Paddocks and poplars and sheep and cows, and not a lot of traffic.
Rain shower in bright sun, poplars on the ridge.
Hot pools and a thermal walk in Taupō. Orakei Korako; this is a cauldron on the Emerald Terrace.
Rain and cold in Taupō, but who cares when you can lounge in an outdoor thermal pool? Even Mish went in and I have proof.
Enjoying the deliciously warm pool at Wairakei Resort, Taupō. All to ourselves. Mish is going, just take the photo. Steam off the water and a misty morning too.
Walking in the geothermal valley at Orakei Korako in Ohakuri.
More thermal mud pool action at Orakei Korako.
Then, down the centre of the island, passing more volcanoes, and home.
Ruapehu from the Desert Road. Sprawling brute of a mountain. Got to love a road trip.
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