Not a sunny day, but at least it did not rain. We drove into Wellington, fearful of leaving the car without a charging run. Should not have been a problem as we made sure lights were not on and no items were being charged. The fridge, we determined, runs off its own battery.

Drive-in was fine, but parking was a bit of an issue. Need to be in before 10am to get the $13 parking for the day, later than that and you pay $4 an hour.

Rosemary noted the shelters by many of the pedestrian crossings. Was it to keep the rain or the sun off??

Started off at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa where they have a very good natural history display. At least R was impressed by the shell collection that had on display. I had to photograph them all. The bird displays were also useful for identification. Poor on the Odonata!

We then did the geology and earthquake room where you get to stand in a room which is shaken to simulate a quake.

R’s birthday, so off to have lunch. On the recommendation of my brother Peter, we went to the Havana near Cuba Street. Good choice, we ate in the restaurant and had a lovely selection of tapas. R particularly enthused by the pickled mushrooms and her dessert of liquorice flavoured pannacotta.

Back again to the museum, this time stopping off at a few shops on the way back. Lots of retro shops selling 70s stuff, masses of vinyl at significantly more than UK prices. At the Te Papa we looked at Maori art, modern, and the agreement when they accepted rule by the British. We also looked at the exhibition on the Maori artefacts, greenstone, carvings and some Maori buildings.

We of course left Wellington in the rush hour and spent a considerable time on the motorway. But little supper needed when we got back to camp. A rather unwisely chosen (before our tasting day) fizzy wine was downed with the last of the artisan cheese.