Gisborne to Lake Waikaremoana Sunday 10th April, 2016

Woke up to more rain quite heavy at times. Left Whispering Sands Motel Gisborne after a nice stay. Excellent place to stay very clean and had everything that you need and great position looking over the beach especially the upstairs rooms with sea view.  At 9.00am drove around Gisborne to see a few things and got our last supplies before we started out to Lake Waikaremoana.

Captain Cook. Very dark due to weather woke up to continuous rain.

Young Nick

We went over some high hills between Gisborne down to Wairoa but unfortunately we couldn't see anything as the clouds were down to deck and some rain as well. We were sure that the views would have been great and what we could see looked like some good scenery

Driving over the hills in the clouds between Gisborne and Wairoa

             
Stopped briefly at Wairoa for a bite of lunch, filled the car up then headed inland and followed the Waikaretaheke river up into the hills and the the lakes. Probably about 18 km of gravel roads which after the rains were very sloshy. Poor PT was just worried about his car getting so dirty!!!!

             We arrived at  the village Tuai at Lake  Whakamarino where we are staying in the Lodge. .

The Lodge. The main building to the right, with reception, restaurant etc, Another house to the left. Lovely big grounds on the Lake edge.

Our accommodation is in one of the houses that where built for the workers when building the power stations. Just like what we know state houses. Probably in the era of the fifties.

Our house was called Kowhai

The inside of the lounge kitchen as you can see it looks like nothing has been done since new. When I first walked in I thought Oh  No what have we booked here. Once we settle in it wasn't too bad  and so much space large bedrooms (2) and lounge and we could really spread out after motel units. 

Don't you like the carpet but I might add there isn't really much choice re accommodation. Only saw about one or two others and they were just as old

This is the view looking from our lounge so peaceful no noise, no traffic. Couldn't see the lake from our House. Have only seen two cars since we arrived.  It's so peaceful here like being in another world just the noise of the birds. Only saw the manager here at first but went for a walk and saw two other locals.

   

           

     Lake Whakamarino is just a small lake with a hydro power station down the far end of it.

The village church

Rain and mist came in late afternoon. Taken from the other side of the lake from the power station. Looking at the Lodge.

We have booked in for a meal tonight so might see more people there as they have hikers staying and should be due in soon. Will let you know what sore of meal we get.
we have decided to have a drink in our room before we go over for dinner at 6.30pm. Will continue after dinner👗👠👔🎩

Back after dinner and met up with six other people that had been hiking the area for a couple of days so got lots of tips from them for our big day tomorrow exploring Lake Waikaremoana which is about 8km away.
Here's hoping that the rains stay away for tomorrow.

Sorry about the lateness of the blog but due to no reception for two days now its catch up time.  Will now start Mondays big day.