I wanted to start off today’s blog by telling you how wonderful the people that I have met are….and likely almost everyone that I haven’t met as well!!!! The cyclists are wonderful, the people in the shops and the hotels. Tim at the cycle shop in Kerikeri. Anne and Dan who brought me into their house to cool off with the shade and cold water. Fiona at the B&B….drive me downtown for dinner. Allan and company at the restaurant keeping me company during dinner. The campground keeper who gave us some fresh fish for dinner last night. Kay…my riding partner for a few days at least.
The other thing that I’ve noticed is that their currency is similar to ours in the size, colour and security. Their $2 coin is similar to our loonie. So many similarities that I feel quite at home here. And the views so far are spectacular. This may be a place to relocate if Alberta decides to separate!!!! 😂
Campground last night
90 mile beach
Cycling on 90 mile beach
Today was a really good day….lots of type two fun….with a fantastic ending.
We had a really lazy start to the day. Because of the tides, we couldn’t start on the beach before 10am….so a sleep in was in order!!!! Decadence
We headed off - 30km more on the beach. Lots of people out enjoying the beach and many were fishing…..the new style. Place a pole upright….dug down into the sand….while they sit down to surf on their phones!
The cycling was just as challenging as yesterday….softer at times and avg speed was only 10km an hour.
We finally made it into Ahipara and washed all the sand off our bikes. It was super hot again today….and shade was hard to come by. We stopped for a bite to eat and headed off with the goal of getting to Rawene which was 65km and almost 1000m of elevation….and it was already 3pm! What were we thinking. But we headed off….and not far out of town is the first hill….1.5km with over 115m of elevations. Up we went, but when the grade got up to 10% I got off and pushed the bike.
At the top of the hill was a young woman waiting for me….it was Amber! We shared a dorm room in Kaitaia a few days ago and she recognized me! So nice to see her, and she offered us some cold coke! What an angel….trail angel actually.
After a short visit we continued cycling another 10km. It started to rain, it was after 4pm by this time and we still had 25km and three massive hills to climb to get to the next town, which did not have a restaurant, and the store was already closed. I looked up and saw the sign above. Tavern in 100 meters….wow!!!! Our saviour. Off we went….and asked if we could put up our tents on their grass. They were so accommodating….and gave us a spot on their coveted deck to sleep tonight! And the best fish and chips I’ve ever eaten!!! Best end to the day. 😀😀😀
1 comment:
I have very fond memories of New Zealand. Your comment about the best fish and chips reminded me of how Ron and I said the same thing when we were on the north island and had fish and chips from a food truck there. It was SO delicious. Enjoy a well earned rest.
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