Wanganui

We’re having a bit of a rest day Tuesday. A quick trip into the visitors centre to book a trip on the river for this afternoon, followed by a trip to the supermarket to stock up on food.  The Wairua riverboat takes passengers for a 2 hour river trip at 1.30pm so we board at 1.15 for a relaxing afternoon watching the riverbank go by.  We want to do this trip today while the weather is fine.  Rain and gale force winds are forecast for the next few days.  Once on the river we settle back with a cup of coffee.  David, our skipper, points out interesting places and tells us about the boat which was built in London in1909 and has been restored.  We pass under the Dublin Street Bridge which links east and west Wanganui.  We also pass under a steel bridge that was originally a wooden bridge.  We pass by the Wanganui Motor Boat Club, New Zealand’s oldest motor boat club, established in 1908 and still holding regular races.  Next comes the Wanganui Rowing Club which has been in operation since 1875 and has twice yearly regattas.  We pass by some lovely parks and gardens on out relaxing trip up the river and before we know it we are back at our dock.