Pataruru- Turangi 31st January

Pataruru -Turangi 86 miles. Off on my own again, good days cycling. Roads a little quieter than previously. Lunch in Taupo by the lake, (after 55 miles cycling with only one village and petrol station along the way). Beautiful view of snow capped Mt Ruapenu. Continued on to Turangi, met a guy collecting spiders by the side of the road. He told me he catches then to photograph them, then lets them go again. He had a very English accent, but said he was from 'lots of places', a child of the universe!!! Had a slightly amusing encounter with a petrol station owner. Went in, owner was talking to a friend, waited, it was obvious she was not going to be rushed to end her conversation and see what I wanted. Eventually, she turned to me, I asked if there was a toilet. "Yes, she said, in a rather po faced fashion, but only for customers. Fair enough, I suppose, so said I am going to buy something, but would like to use the loo first. After, went back to buy ice cream and water. The owner asked me where I was going? Told her my destination and asked about local camp sites. She said that freedom camping(not in a recognised site) was very dangerous around here. Not that I was intending to do this, but still I asked why it was so dangerous in this particular area. She told me there were lots of prisons in the area. Ok, I thought, but surely that means thieves are behind bars, rather than roaming the streets looking for campers, but I thought better not to comment. Having finished my icecream outside the shop, I looked for a bin, but nothing, so back into the shop I went. I was told, nobody has bins here. Ok, I said, tentatively asking why? "Because of all the freedom campers", (those freedom campers again!), though I hadn't seen any. According to this happy go lucky soul, freedom campers would fill the bins and leave sixty five bags of rubbish on the forecourt!! Wow, I thought, I wonder where these hidden campers are putting their rubbish instead. She then reluctantly agreed to take my rubbish. I think this lady has bit of a problem with freedom campers,cyclists or just people in general!! While cycling along lake Taupo a very strange sight indeed!!! Three Darleks on the back of a trailer!!! I wondered if the owner of these three will visit my friendly shop keeper....., just a fleeting fantasy!

Hamilton-Pataruru 30th January.

40 miles today. Ride limited by Peter's need to stop over in a town he can gets coach back to Auckland from. Beautiful weather on a relatively gentle ride. Coffee in Cambridge, lunch in Tirau, nice day.
 Knee is a little sore, but not too bad.
 Thinking about the next few days including planning my routes. There are lots of permutations related to hills and road types, but I think I have come up with a plan.
 Peter and I have both enjoyed these few days together,  but now it's time for me to get back to the task in hand.....riding New Zealand north to south!

Pukehohe-Hamilton 29th January

60 miles today of mostly gentle county roads. Apart from one stretch of gravel road of a couple of miles. Unfortunately while moving along this road at a walking pace I managed to slip on the gravel. Result a a rather nasty cut on my knee and a few grazes.

 As a precaution decided to get the knee looked at when we got to Hamilton. That was an experience in itself, receptionist on a mission not to be helpful. Best not to rise to the bait!!!

However, this was followed by exceptionally prompt care, as recompense for some of the hoops jumped through. Injury resulted in a need for stitch to hold the offending hole together. I have included a couple of photos below. Thought I'd milk the sympathy vote!!!

New Lynn -Pukekohe 28th January.

Easy day today- 42 miles, don't think I could have managed more if I'd wanted to.

 First puncture of the trip, Peter's bike. Beautiful weather and some pleasant scenery, including a mangrove swamp.

Arrived in Pukekohe to find there was no camp site or rooms available at any of the motels. Ended up at a 'home stay' a little like a bed and breakfast. The owner is Vietnamese and has convinced us that a traditional Vietnamese breakfast would be a good idea. Well we shall see!

Paparoa - New Lynn 27th January

Finally got here at 8.30pm after a 92mile ride!!!! Not doing that again! I was seriously worried at one point that I just wouldn't get here and would need to check in another hotel, but at that point there were no hotels.
Did I mention the hills!!!! I don't think I have ever used the 'granny gear' on my bike quite so much,
  ( For the unitiated that is the easiest gear on a bike, rarely used).
  My Garmin is playing up as per usual, so all evidence of my rides and elevation climbed  ( 1500 metres plus climbed on Thursday and again the same on Friday)  dissapeared, apart from in my muscles and butt!! There were some spectacular views along the way, but my need to keep moving prevented all but a couple of photos.
Met a fire warden at one of my stops, at the top of a hill. He had past me on the road and was asking. me about my ride.  He was travelling around checking fire risk. At the moment it is moderate in the Auckland area. When up in the Northlands I had seen signs that there it was high, with a total ban on any type of outside fire.  The warden told me that was likely furthe south into February as the weather becomes dryer.
On arrival, quick shower and then for food and bed!

Omepare -Paparoa 26th January

Another 85 miles today, with some tough climbing. Will be pleased when I meet up with Peter and can slow down a bit. Climbed up through Waipoua forest, lush green and slightly tropical. After some tough climbing I rewarded myself with an excellent Lentil burger in Dargaville before carrying on to Paparoa and another campsite.

 While in Dargaville I spotted a bike shop, well almost, he did sell bikes along side motorbikes and farming equipment. I had realised while going up yet another steep hill that I had not packed my spare chain link or chain tool. The idea of a broken chain in the middle of nowhere was making me a little anxious. Great, he had a chain link, but no tool to sell, as he only had the one he owned. After a little negotiation, ( I think he felt sorry for me), he agreed to sell me his!!!

 Met a fellow cyclist in the campsite this evening. George a Czech who lives in Germany. Had a fun chat, he is heading South too, who knows we may meet again.

Pukenui -Omapere 25th January.

Long day cycling, 85 miles, hills, hills,hills, plus ferry ride Kohukohu to Rawene. Met another tourer, called Linda, she was going north, but we stopped for a chat and exchange of tips. Long stretches of road with a car or lorry passing every few minutes. At one point I was running out of water, but had not seen a store for twenty or thirty miles. Relieved to find one in a tiny place called Blackwood. It's true some of these places (including this one) would not look out of place in the fifties!

 Finally pulled into Omepare about six, pleased to find a local grocer that also sold take away curry, just what I needed. Quick shower then away to pick my curry. A very nice vegetable paneer. Met a family in the camp site, Jim,Loclan and Sharon. They were very impressed with my achievement cycling up a local mountain. Apparently this particularly hill is steeped in local Maori cultural history, presented me with a bottle of wine which we shared.

Kaitaia-Cape Reinga -24th January.

Finally I start my bike ride after my last bit of transportation with a local tour company.
Left Cape Reinga at 1pm and managed to do about 45miles.

Surprising difficult ride. I think it was a combination of hills, loaded bike and not having ridden for nearly three weeks. I hope I can do better over the coming days as I have about 280 miles to cover in the next three days, before I meet my brother on Friday night.

 First night camping in a tiny place called Pukenui.

Auckland - Kaitaia 23rd January

Spent a lot of the day travelling north. Yola and Ron very kindly got up at daybreak to drive me to the bus station. Negotiation with bus driver about transporting my bike required front wheel off and chain covered. Not too much hassle. The drive through the countryside confirmed that NZ is hilly,a little surprised how hilly! Good job I quite like hills!

Saw a couple of touring cyclists along the road, from bus, which was encouraging. Also had a chat with a road cyclist who came alongside me as I cycled back to my motel. I asked him about safety on the roads, pleased to hear that he felt the roads are reasonably safe here and he cycles hundreds of miles.

Arrived in Kaitaia mid afternoon, a small NZ town (photo below) . There was enough time to have a little cycle through the town, buy something for dinner and sort out a mobile to use in NZ. All set to get my last leg of transportation north in the morning, then(at last) I will start to ride south. Weather ok, though apparently not as warm as should be for this time of year(around 20 degrees). Set to warm up as the week goes on. I have been warned numerous times that the sun here is fierce, even when it's not that warm. Sun cream is vital!!!

Sydney -Auckland 22nd January.

An early start for the airport today. Flight delays....... Finally arriving in Auckland about 5pm........out of the airport 6.30pm ish, to be met by Yola and her two daughters. Back to Yola's...... bike to unpack..... can't quite remember what I packed in these boxes!! Just enough time to prepare to leave for 6am start. Dinner with Yola and her family(a few glasses of wine....maybe not the best idea). A little stressful, but exciting.

Sydney-21st January.

Lovely day in Sydney, weather perfect. I wondered down through Hyde Park to circular wharf. Then a ferry to Manly, to walk a coastal path to spit bridge.   Very scenic walk, including some straight forward paths and others that were a little more challenging.

Walk took me about three hours, then a bus back to Manly for a well deserved ice cream. Back to Imelda's flat for a very nice evening having dinner two former neighbours of Imelda's.

Packing up again........off to Auckland tomorrow.

Sydney -20th January

Back from Katoomba to a very wet Sydney. Walked through the suburbs to Imelda's luxurious flat. A swim in the pool before a most enjoyable evening with Imelda and a few of her friends.