We left Paekakariki in brilliant sunshine and clear blue sky but it gradually clouded over and became rather windy away from our cosy hedged area at the camp ground. The steam engine was outside its shed at the museum and appeared to be getting up steam, perhaps we should have gone to the museum? It was a fairly straight road but scenery better than expected as it was quite hilly for a lot of the way. Very few picnic stops so we diverted to Foxton Beach for coffee, it was not very pretty, the beach was classed as a highway (cars and buggies buzzing up and down) and rather breezy. We decided to move on for lunch but again very few picnic areas the first two were just roadside strips and overflowing rubbish bags and eventually stopped in a layby full of road repair vehicles not far short of Whanganui. The 'Freedom' site in Whanganui was rather small only suitable for very small vans so went for a wander around town, the art gallery was still shut and streets nearly empty. The Top 10 seemed like the best option it was just outside town and by the river, a very nice site with a warm pool, perhaps we will stay another day.