The rain became intermittent in the afternoon and we stopped a few kilometres short of Opotiki at the Tirohangi Beach Motor Camp - we had been attracted by an advert with aerial view showing it to have well spaced and sheltered sites almost on a calm sandy beach. We were fortunate as they had just had a cancellation for a tourist cabin - full cooking, fridge, loo and shower plus double bed within a stones throw of the beach for $40. The sea was a bit rough still for swimming but there were a lot of fishermen surf casting. It looks a good place for either a tent or cabin and is strategically placed at the start of the East Coast Highway. It also has a good and surprisingly cheap store at the entry so extended stays would be practical. One for the list of places to return to.

If you do go round the Pacific Coast Highway make sure you keep full of petrol - it is nearly 400 kms including diverting to the East Cape Lighthouse. Petrol stations very are infrequent and you pay a 25% premium - We paid $1.00 instead of the usual 79.9 cents a litre at Te Aroroa at the single pump opposite the store and were very glad to fill up. The whole area also has no mobile coverage (with Bell South anyway). We sent the last report at Gisborne and that was the only place we have seen a signal for the 4 days since Napier! I sat in the Pak'N Save car park with the computer whilst Pauline did the shopping.