Transfer day to Rotorua Friday 14/10/11

Bright and early start packing everything away - not that we'd unpacked much - checking all nooks and crannies for things we'd stowed. Fridge, shower etc all cleared into plastic bags and rubbish dumped, sadly that probably also included Carol's jeans which later seemed to have disappeared. Took the main road to the airport filled up with fuel and found the right car park for handover. Bit of phoning and Coastal campers took us to the depot to collect the next van. Very small Nissan Vanette with a mattress in the back! Dropped the second driver surcharge and the sleeping bags as not necessary  any longer. Half an our in total for both'handovers and we were on our way again. Decided to take the scenic route along the Pacific Coast Highway - sounds grand but it's not. Five hours and 200 km after setting off we were back at Miranda camp site! Only another 200 km to go to Rotorua. Came to a grinding halt just before the bridge works at Thames and decided the crawl forwards was only due to people turning back so we did the same and followed a local on the assumption he would be going round it, quite efficiently as it turned out. Highway 2 down past Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty where all the radio stations were up in arms about the oil spill from the Rena container ship which had just gone aground. Fears for the safety of the captain on shore lynch mobs at the ready. Afternoon tea in a pleasant roadside cafe and onwards again for the last leg to the timeshare just before dark - a whole day driving.
Free wifi - maybe add some photos. Investigated the prospect of returning by public transport to Aukland for the Wales match but it's really not on so a big screen in Rotorua looks the best option.