Return to the North Island

Well I don’t have much to say about the ferry crossing as I spent the entire time working on my presentation. The crossing was much calmer and was over before I knew it. I hit the road and tried to get as much road under my wheels before breaking for sleep. The wind in Wellington tossed my car all around the motorway. The biggest issue was deciding which way road I would take. It seemed to me that I didn’t want to slow down even to study the map. I have to deal with the Wellington rush hour traffic which after weeks on the South Island seems overwhelming. When you compare it to traffic back home it’s really quite light. I make it as far as a town called Bulls as the sun sets and stop to eat at a Chinese restaurant. Bulls is typical of little New Zealand towns. It reminds me of lots of little towns in the foothills of the gold country Overhangs in front of the shops and the high sidewalks. I can see what people say that New Zealand reminds them of California 60 years ago.

I get back in the van and head north until I just can’t drive anymore. I pull over into a picnic ground next to the highway and under a train trestle. Two Trains numerous Large Trucks!