Sunday 17 Jan - Mount Taranaki

Well the luggage has still not turned up and Christine is having to dress herself in re-washed underwear and borrowed T-shirts!
The remainder of our journey to Jackie and Richard’s was event free although the landing at New Plymouth in a small 50 seat turbo-prop and strong cross winds was exciting to say the least! Needless to say, Christine was less than impressed.
Today started cloudy with the promise of the weather improving, so we decided to do a circuit of Mount Taranaki – a sleeping volcano – which forms the unique backdrop to the pretty coastal town of Opunake where Richard and Jackie live. We saw waterfalls and fantastic views from the lower reaches accessible by car. At one Visitor Centre there was a sign pointing the direction of various walks which ranged from a walk to the summit (8 to 10 hrs) to a walk to the viewing platform (4 mins). Needless to say we opted for the latter!
So, our first full day in NZ and no further catastrophies, even the volcano has remained sleeping! But we note worryingly that it is due an eruption at any time!