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!