Tolaga, Tokomaru and Te Araroa

PB woke up as Mum was getting ready for a run before 7am and was super keen to come along on his bike. We managed to get out along the waterfront towards the port and town while the sky was still pink.  Lovely!
We left Gisborne and made for Tolaga Bay.  It was a beautiful day,  blue sky and lovely and still.
We walked out on the very long Tolaga Bay wharf (660 metres!) Chatted to some British travellers on the way.
The bay was gorgeous, lots of drift wood and white sand with gentle waves.
Then we made for Tokomaru Bay.  On the way, a mob of sheep was being moved down the road.  We happily sat and watched them rushing by!  Tokamaru Bay was another gorgeous bay, and we sat on the beach enjoying our lunch and the view.
We carried on up the coast,  taking in St Mary's church at Tikitiki and Ruatoria before making camp at Te Araroa.  The church was cool, it had stained glass windows with Maori designs and a monument to Sir Apirana Ngata.
The campsite at Te Araroa had welcoming signs on the office door, saying :  "The shop opens at 3.30pm.  Not 3.27, not 3.28pm, but 3.30pm. "  Friendly! Dumped the caravan and headed out to East Cape lighthouse. On the way we stopped to explore a flat rock area and watched waves rushing through a big crevice.  Found so.e cool crabs, too.  Carried in down the very narrow winding roads,  mostly gravel,  with road works, horses,  cows and cliffs down into the sea.   Saw a funny sight, of sand blowing up to the top of the farm fence and footprints of a cow going right over.
Made it to the lighthouse ready to do the 800 steps up to it just as the sun was going down.   Bit of a puff going up,  but stunning once we got to the top.  Got safely back down and were stunned by the beauty of the moon and its reflection.
Drove back to Te Araroa safely and called in to the RSA for very yummy take aways.  
Home for bed, having seen the sun rise and sunset today, we've definitely made the most of our day.