28th december

Back on the bikes yesterday, cycled 59 miles from Rotatua to Whakatame on the east coast, busy road but great scenery, had our picnic in the grounds of an old wooden settlers chapel. Motor homes passing us, including one nz couple who ran a lawn mower repair shop and had closed up business for a fortnight, amazing what you learn in a lay by! today 29 very windy and now wet miles to opitiki so not camping but booked into a hostel plus my bike is getting new brake blocks. planning to cycle around the east cape.

26th december

had thermal dip in the various pools at the Polynesian spa, revamped since foundation by some Catholic priest in the 1800's. have been eating a lot of fresh fruit , apricots, avocado's and tomatoes brought from roadside stalls. have watched the new zealanders motor boating on the otherwise peaceful lakes.Also will mention that during our trip we have seen a lot of dairy cows including jersey and Herefords, but for somewhere renowned for lamb have seen remarkably few sheep

happy christmas

23rd took the bus to roturoa via Auckland, bit of a culture shock, but then we had cycled 300 miles in northland so it was a long bus trip back. getting the bikes on the Auckland to roturoa bus was a bit iffy as the hold was small, however the Seattle couple were also with us so we could watch bags plus have extra help to get bikes into back of hold, bus driver diverted by our air of assurance. 3 nights in hotel selected by Sarah Gregory ,whow we overlook this massive geyser park with the biggest geyser erupting about 20 times per day plus we have the room with the best view of it, thanks. will spend the day gently strolling the lakeside and maybe take a spa or mud bath, lots of golf courses around, if Neil is still around tell him I think about him when i pass them,. happy Christmas

22nd dec

relaxing day in keri keri saw the outside of the stone mission house, very pretty by the keri keri basin ducks on the river. would like to say that we followed the historic trail, but actually had a glass of white wine and a salad lunch at the restaurant by the river instead

20th and 21st dec.

on Monday cycled around from kateia to hi hi bay where we camped 34 miles quite gentle by relative nz terms. have now left the Tasman sea and are traveling along the south pacific coast. so have reached the most northerly point in which we will go and are traveling south, did not go up to north cape as 1. it was a long way and 2. it was very fogey and as reported by people who did go (by car) you could not see a thing.
Tuesday cycled down to keri keri where we are spending 2 nights, prior to heading to roturua by bus. staying in a beautiful hostel with our own room in orange groves, keith loves all the wooden floors and surfaces, it is really an organic farm and there are miniature pigs in a pen plus chickens running around. This relaxing day is a good thing because yesterday (Tuesday) to get here we took the scenic route, left the main road and took the coastal route, very lovely sandy bays but very steep hills I mean realy steep gradient hills in between them plus the route was much further in distance so we cycled 64 miles at the top of the final hill was the first cafe we had seen since our coffee break,keith had to be placated with juice, ice cream and a chocolate bar.

Sun 19 December

Crossed from Rawene on the ferry early to continue our journey onto Kaitaia. Very hilly and very,very wet! Passed mangrove swamps which they have here. Finally got to our destination late afternoon and checked into the very worst hostel imaginable. Fortunately Sarah refused to stay and we politely left, having not yet paid. We are staying instead at a decent hostel and after a hot shower and meal feel good. Met up with a young Seattle couple who are doing almost exactly same route as us.
Keith

thursday 16th to sat 18th dec

torrential rain on Thursday, side trip to some barren lakes, and a flat tyre for Keith. however, Wed. was a great day into the Waipoua forest only 15 miles but we decided to stay in a department of conservation cabin so were able to walk through the tropical forest it was lovely= birds making odd noises, trees I have never seen etc. Today, Sat we have had a very strenuous cycle up some very steep hills. I have also reached 35 miles per hour going downhill! Tonight, we are staying in Rawene.A beautiful fishing village, the streets are named after early settlers, traders boat builders and sailors, who drank in the three pubs, and prayed in the three churches. A Dr Smith from Scotland arrived in this Hokinga region and started a free health system which still exists today. That was in 1914. We cycled past the hospital on the way in next to the golf course and the cemetery.

wed 15th dec

visited the Kauri museum which told us all about the forests which we will be traveling through, most where logged steam engines and much more. then to dagerville 37 miles picking up tomatoes and sweet potatoes on route.very good ice cream. We have brought food supplies staying at baylis which has nz's longest beach.

tuesday 13 dec.

made our way into auckland and took the bus out to Brynderwyn, very lucky to get bikes on bus as it was packed but the very helpful Maurie driver dressed in blue shorts and white knee lengh socks made room for them. Went through warkworth with 19th century masonic hall and 20th century flintstones carvery and got of bus at the swinging cow cafe. cycled to paparoa where we camped nice place wholefood cafe - shut, bar come grill open wed. to sat. and pub which does steak suppers on Friday. As it was Tuesday we had emergency noodles for tea Keith not impressed.

arrival in new zealand

We have been so lucky.Snow all week before we left and then a weekend of thaw as we left.No problems with journey. Met at Auckland airport as arranged, by Scott from hostel where we spent first night, and can leave bike boxes, scott just as expected receding hairline ponytail, very laid back and very anti American.. Have assembled bikes cycled to the Mangare bridge to try then and had a nights sleep. Very warm but raining about to set off into Auckland then bus about 11 kms north to start cycle proper.

snow on the27th november

Two weeks to go before Keith and I leave for  New Zealand with our cycles. Now I had thought that I would be missing out on winter this year, but not the case, it has snowed and snowed again, temperature went down to minus 8 in kirkhill last night. We had Matthew and Cassie up for the weekend, so went for a snowy walk up knockfarrel above straphpeffer, then had mince pies at teatime to go with the "seasonal" weather.

        Next morning was spent packing up Keith's bike - not easy- not neat. My bike was packed up last weekend - not easy, but neater.