Mon 8 Feb - Completing the Circle.

This was to be our last day on the road and we had some 250 miles to complete along a fairly twisty route so we packed up and set off in good time. Initially we headed back to Taupo (via a different route) and drove down the east side of Lake Taupo to the Mount Rupareh area. Initially there was some low cloud that obscured the view of the volcanic mountain but as we drove further south and west the weather improved. Our route back to Opunake for another couple of nights with Rich and Jackie followed the ‘Forgotten Highway’ – an old pioneer route linking New Plymouth with the central area of the North Island. This was very scenic, climbing over three major passes and through real ‘wilderness’ territory. There were information boards every few miles, describing some aspect of the journey whether it be the making of the road or a description of local mining operations, or the development of local communities, all of which added to the interest. After a day of driving with many stops – including one at a small town called Whangamomona, which declares itself a republic one day every year, issuing passports to those who wish to enter – we broke through into the sunshine of the west coast and Opunake where our little excursion had started some 20 days and 4,400 kms previously.