Kaikura

Thursday 1st February 2024

I moved the drivers seat forward slightly. The bed didn’t collapse and there was enough room (just) to stretch out, a better nights sleep!! We walked around Havelock this morning(took about 10 minutes!) then had an early lunch of green lipped mussels( how could we not!). They were delicious. Back on the road to Kaikōura where there is a seal colony. We stopped for a break at this roadside cafe with a lobster on the roof and beautiful views of the east coast sea. It’s very different, much wilder and rockier. We parked up by the beach in Kaikura , our first proper freedom camping, it’s a car park with public toilets about 5 minutes walk into town. We had a lovely day looking at the shops and eating a great Malaysian meal! Then we sat behind the vans on the beach in the evening, it was amazing. The notices say that we need to leave by 7am but are they really going to check?