A quiet couple of days as we visit family and very special friends. We travelled further down the west coast on SH1 to Levin to have lunch with one of Don’s cousins and his wife. But I’m desperate for a coffee and have found a couple of places in Levin, however, I am driving and Don is navigating and so I am turning as I’m told. We turn a corner by a cemetery, don’t remember seeing this on the map near the coffee shops I’d found…We park the van. As we walk down the pavement, I notice a factory roof – with giant Licorice Allsorts on it! OMG! All is forgiven, it might not be a coffee shop but it is the factory for one of NZ’s most famous brands – RJ’s. Which we both love!! And. They have a factory store!! Love this man for planning such surprises. Of course we go in and choose some licorice (that’s how RJ’s spell it) to take in the van with us. Lunch with Don’s reles was lovely – it’s always good catching up and sharing family stories and news. A little further down the road and we drop in to some very special, treasured friends. What a lovely time we had catching up. Fantastic meal, wine and lots of laughter! Wonderful.

Our next stop was for lunch at a place recommended to us by Don’s sister Nic – The Bus Stop Café. What a gem this place is. The setting is magical and the food is great! http://www.busstopcafe.nz/

We camp for the night at Waikanae Beach.