How Far To A Petrol Station?

PALMERSTON NORTH. 8 NOVEMBER 2024.

We’re up and awake early so Rosie goes for an early morning swim. Paul plays lifeguard and sits by the pool. We then enjoy breakfast in the chalet. Paul luckily has a final check of the drawers and discovers his passport that he put there for safekeeping last night.

We have half a tank of petrol so I am looking for a petrol station on the outskirts of Napier. None found! In fact, satnav tells us that its 60 kilometres away and I’ve only got 100 kilometres of fuel. Earlier than 60 kilometres, Paul sees a sign for fuel. He takes a detour but can’t see the pumps. Later, he realises that a single pump sits outside the store.

The warning light comes on just before Norsewood, where satnav was directing us. Here we saw the pump outside the store. Norsewood was settled by the Scandinavians over 250 years ago. We enjoy coffee and talk to an older couple on their way north. They used to farm locally before retirement. He tells us that he counted 150 cars go through the roadworks before he got through.

Fortunately, we don’t experience the same delays. The motel is perfect, a twenty minutes walk from the Parkrun. We walk there then stroll around the park.

We walk into town for dinner. We choose the Italian, avoid the pizza and choose pasta for Paul and salad for Rosie. We pick a Reisling which is delicious. The waitress explains that it is not the custom to tip staff in NZ.