After the sun had set

The reunion officially starts tomorrow with a gathering in the evening. Because Russell is a (long) drive away I decided we should come a day early and leave a day after the end of the reunion. 

We prepared rather leisurely to travel. Especially given that I preferred to drive around the upper harbour rather than use the car ferry. It was a drive that reminded both of us of ou childhood. Much of the road was gravel, and unsealed. At the worst piece of the road, I nearly stopped completely as the car was shuddering between the ruts in the road. Fortunately we met only a few other cars, and it was possible to find a way to avoid the ruts.

The last portion of the drive was more tiring than the much longer (in distance) than what we had already done.

A friendly and almost casual greeting by hotel staff, and we are now in The Duke of Marlborough Hotel, the descendant of the first licensed premises in New Zealand (1827)

After a relaxing drink in the bar we sat outside and I was able to get today's blip; of the passenger ferry terminal.