Whanganui to Taupo
10 March 2018 | Taupo
Penny
All good things must come to an end and it was time to move on. The weather on the east coast was still bad so it looked as if the cross mountain road might become impassable and N4 had reopened so we have decided to adjust plans and go to Taupo where we should get a couple of days good weather. We had a good uneventful journey and did not get any holdups apart from sheep being mustered, the 'cowboys' on horseback in long waxed coats and wide brim hats. The N4 followed the Mangawhero River which was over its banks and flowing fast. It looked like melted milk chocolate and not very inviting. The hills were shrouded in mist and did not invite us to stop and walk so we made good time and emerged into the sunshine at Lake Taupo. We had a picnic by the lake, walked around the little marina and watched the black swans. Chris had a swim but I was not tempted the water looked a bit cold and the stony beach not very comfortable to walk on.
Taupo was not very busy and had an 'end of season' feel. We checked in to our motel (nice big room) and then went back to town for a walk along the lake and around another marina. We picked up some maps and guides from the 'I' centre and then returned to motel to eat. I had a wander around the motel grounds but the restaurant, and shop were closed and empty so no-longer in business. The vineyard where you were supposed to be able to do wine tasting was looking very sorry for itself, the bunches of grapes were all shriveled and looked more like small raisins, so no tasting and back to the supermarket stuff.