One man and his dog

I spent last night at Wairoa - not the most picturesque place but it was quiet and peaceful and meant that I could drive less today.

After a cloudy start it turned into a stunner of a day (27 degrees in Gisborne apparently).  A quick squizz round Gisborne shops then the afternoon was a time for domestics - refuel the van (don't want to run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere!), dump station, supermarket, laundry.  Staying now just a few kms out of Gisborne along the Pacific Coast Highway on a wee freedom camping area.  Great to be here early enough to be able to set up a washing line to dry the laundry.  

Looking forward to clean sheets tonight :)

It hardly feels like Christmas Eve and I'm pretty sure tomorrow won't feel like Christmas.  (If you're in the northern hemisphere then you won't associate images of surfers and blue ocean with Christmas either!)  I spotted this guy trying to surf but the waves really weren't big enough.  He quit in favour of playing with his dog who eagerly greeted him as he emerged from the surf.  A nice southern hemisphere Christmas Eve fun-in-the-sun activity :)