After doing some van chores – very glamorous – next to a huge stockyard (they buy and sell cows & sheep here) we start the next long drive. When I say we, I mean Don as this road is notoriously winding, climbing and in some parts unsealed (no tarmac!). This is SH43 – Forgotten World Highway. It really does feel like you are in Jurassic World. We stop at Te Wera, a former forestry camp where Don worked as a young man. Our destination for the night is Whangamomona an historic town and also a republic – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whangam%C5%8Dmona after parking up, we have a wander around this historic little town which until only recently had it’s own rugby team. Later on after dinner, we head down to the Hotel to watch the rugby.

We set off early the next morning to continue along SH43, and the road continues to be windy and Jurassic. At one point on this road, there is a tunnel that is one vehicle wide so the traffic takes turns in going through. It looks as if it might cave in at any minute! This landscape is rugged beyond imagination. It was originally all bush but was cleared for farming. These are very very steep hills and certainly no place for cows! We stop for a break in Taumarunui, pie and a coffee.

I spot some hording over the shops…24/7. JUST DO IT. Prayer Worx.

We carry on along SH4 and there in the distance, snow capped mountains of Tongariro National Park. Our camp for the night is in National Park Village where we gaze at the mountains.