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.