Before we leave this beautiful place let's go for a drive on the beach said Klaus. No, we'd better not said Susan. But if you absolutely have to, then do it darling she said, not wanting to be a party pooper. Or to throw cold water on the idea.
Unfortunately, the high tide was visiting and the wet and loose stoney beach was not the best place to be in a heavy vehicle with highly inflated tyres. This beach is no respecter of reputation.
And Klaus was about to learn that their much acclaimed Go Anywhere Vehicle was really a Go Almost Anywhere Vehicle.
Or maybe even a Go Nowhere Vehicle.
The Sunday drive along the beach could have been costly and their around the world voyage might easily have floundered on the shores of the Napier coast.
It seemed every man and his dog came to watch the drama and fortunately Kim, the man for all seasons arrived and soon had a local winery owner and his heavy machinery organised.
The crowd was treated to seeing the art of getting a Back Hoe Excavator off and on the back of a truck and the Uni-Mog returned to higher ground.
And Susan and Klaus were treated to an unexpected beginning of their journey on the road less travelled.
But they'll learn to expect the unexpected...
